The Breitling Top Time B31 is a fascinating addition to Breitling’s range of sport watches. It seems to combine design aspects of the Breitling heritage watches with modern watchmaking technology, while adding some unique visual cues. This in-depth Breitling Top Time B31 review explores everything from its design and specifications to the new B31 movement. Our review includes a comparison to its main competitors while addressing some popular questions about this new watch.
Key Takeaways:
- The Breitling Top Time B31 is a new three-hand, time-and-date watch from the brand. It’s offered in a 38mm stainless steel case.
- The B31 is powered by Breitling’s new caliber B31. It’s a COSC-certified chronometer with a 78-hour power reserve.
- The watch comes in three dial color combinations: green, blue, and white/sky blue.
- The Top Time B31 is a more versatile, everyday timepiece that’s meant to compete with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual and Omega Aqua Terra.
We are going to look at the reasons why the Breitling Top Time B31 is such an interesting timepiece – from the unique, retro-cool design, to the high-performance movement. Whether you’re deep into collecting or just getting your feet wet in the world of luxury watches, this is your full Breitling Top Time B31 review.
A Brief History of the Breitling Top Time
Before we go further with the new B31 model, it’s worth going back to the beginning and taking a look at where the Top Time name originated. Launched in the 1960s, Breitling’s original Top Time collection was a series of timepieces marketed to a younger and more fashion-forward audience. The collection is known for sporting colorful dials, a chronograph complication on some models, and coming in at a lower price point than other Breitling watches from the period.
One of the reasons the Top Time watch has gained such iconic status among collectors is that it featured as the watch worn by James Bond in the 1965 film Thunderball. The silver screen appearance is the reason the Top Time name has such resonance for collectors today. Breitling has brought back the Top Time name with several reissues since re-launching the collection in recent years. The B31 represents the newest model within this timeless collection.
Breitling Top Time B31 Detailed Review: Specs, Dials, and Straps
Breitling’s new Top Time B31 breathes new life into this old-school watch. Inspired by the original, yet not burdened by its history, the watch has been updated with modern technical developments. Take the case size, for instance, or the dial choices.
The Case: A Study in Vintage Proportions and Modern Finishing
| Specification | Measurement |
| Diameter | 38mm |
| Thickness | 10.3mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 45.8mm |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
A 38mm case diameter allows the Top Time B31 to be worn on a wide variety of wrists. As many sports watches are coming in at 40mm or larger these days, this more modest size is welcome and versatile. The relatively short 45.8mm lug-to-lug distance means that the watch won’t be too bulky even on smaller wrists, and the slim 10.3mm thickness means it will easily fit under a shirt cuff.
Breitling has used a variety of finishes on the stainless steel case. The sides of the lugs have been brushed, which makes them less prone to scratches and gives the watch a sporty look, while the polished top part of the lugs helps the watch catch and reflect light. The lugs themselves are slim and elegant, another throwback to older design. Water resistance is 100 meters, which is good enough for day-to-day use and water activities, but as this isn’t a dive watch, it’s still important to be mindful when wearing the Top Time B31 in the water.
The Dials: A Pop of Color and a Nod to the Past
The Top Time B31 is available in three distinct dial variations, each with its own personality:
- Forest Green with a black inner ring that creates strong contrast and a bold, modern look
- Electric Blue with a white inner ring that provides a lighter, more playful aesthetic
- White with a sky blue inner ring that offers the most vintage-inspired appearance
There are several similarities between all three dials. The chapter rings offer a nice sense of depth and allow for quick reading of the dial at a glance. Applied indices with luminous material provide good legibility in all lighting conditions. The bright orange seconds hand offers a fun accent of color and alludes to Breitling’s aviation roots without directly reflecting that theme.
The magnifying cyclops date window positioned at 3 o’clock delivers practical daily functionality. The chapter ring with its 60-minute scale uses color-coordinated discs to integrate well with each dial variant. The vintage Breitling “B” logo is found above the central pinion instead of the more current winged logo.
The Straps and Bracelet: Options for Every Style
Breitling is offering the Top Time B31 with two separate straps, both of which have their appeal. The perforated calfskin leather strap has a sportier, more casual feel, with the perforations not only providing a nod to older racing straps but also allowing for better breathability. The stainless steel bracelet uses angled links that add some visual interest to the design, while a mix of brushed and polished surfaces on the links matches up well with the finish on the case. While both are quite nice, the bracelet gives the watch a dressier feel.
The leather strap model retails for $5,600, while the bracelet model costs $5,900. The best option for getting both, of course, would be to buy the bracelet and order an aftermarket leather strap later, but for those who will likely only wear the watch on leather and want a more casual look, buying the strap-only model can save you a few hundred dollars.
Under the Hood: A Review of the Breitling Caliber B31 Movement
Visible through the exhibition caseback beats Breitling’s new in-house movement, the Caliber B31. The B31 is COSC certified, so every single movement has been independently tested by Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres and comes with a certificate guaranteeing a daily rate of between -4 and +6 seconds per day. A particular highlight is the 78-hour power reserve, which means that if you wind the watch on Friday evening, you can put it back on Monday morning and the time will still be more or less correct.
The B31 uses a free-sprung balance wheel, a feature that is indicative of the quality of the movement. A free-sprung balance is generally more stable and less prone to changes in rate over time than a regulated balance, and is more shock and position-resistant. The movement has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, which is a good middle ground for both a smooth seconds hand and good rate performance. The exhibition caseback allows a clear view of this brand-new movement in all its glory.
On the Wrist: How the Breitling Top Time B31 Wears and Feels
The first thing that strikes you when wearing the Top Time B31 on the wrist is its remarkable balance. The 38mm diameter and short lug-to-lug keep it from seeming like it’s floating over the wrist, allowing it to fit easily in any setting from weekend fun to weekday office wear. The high contrast between indices and dial surface makes the dial easy to read at a glance, and the orange seconds hand is simple to follow for easy time setting.
Comfort is also excellent, especially on the leather strap. The watch has a strong presence on the wrist without being too heavy and the slim profile means it won’t snag on sleeves or create unsightly bulges under a jacket cuff. The bracelet option is a little heavier and imparts a more formal character to the watch with angled links that lie smoothly on the wrist and a clasp that’s reassuringly secure without being too stiff to operate.
The Competition: How Does the Top Time B31 Stack Up?
Priced at $5,600 to $5,900, the Top Time B31 lands in the highly competitive entry to mid-point of the luxury watch market. In terms of direct competitors, the most apparent watch is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36, which is similar in sizing and layout (three hands, but no date) but carries a recommended retail price of around $6,350 when in stock, and actual prices in the market tend to be significantly higher due to limited availability. The Omega Aqua Terra 38 has higher water resistance and the prestige of Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, but its pricing also typically begins at around $$6,800 or higher depending on the configuration.
The Tudor Black Bay 36 is an interesting watch to compare at a slightly lower price point, as it offers strong value and excellent vintage styling. Grand Seiko’s SBGW series offers similar sizing and exceptional finishing, and for around the same price. Overall, these watches suggest that the Top Time B31 lands in a sweet spot for price, technical specifications, and versatile styling that can work in a variety of contexts.
Final Verdict: Is the Breitling Top Time B31 Worth Buying?
The Breitling Top Time B31 is a handsome watch and a great addition to the Breitling collection. It has the appeal and vintage inspiration that make it stand out in the crowded luxury sports watch field, while its high-performance brand-new movement and 38mm case size make it versatile for almost any occasion that one might need a watch.
We are a fan of the new Breitling Top Time B31, here at Bob’s Watches. This Breitling sports watch is a big step in the right direction for the company, with a lot of style, performance, and value. The Breitling Top Time B31 should please a wide range of customers, from experienced collectors to first-time buyers. The new B31 movement is an excellent technical advancement for the Breitling brand, while the sensibly-sized case and lively dial options show that Breitling understands what modern watch consumers are shopping for.
