Breitling has added Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler to its roster as a brand ambassador and face of its latest Top Time campaign.
“Austin is not only incredibly talented but also genuinely kind, cool, and a perfect fit for Breitling and our lifestyle,” explained Breitling chief executive officer Georges Kern. “His talent speaks for itself — I loved him in ‘Elvis,’ I loved ‘Dune: Part Two,’ and I thought his portrayal of a villain was fantastic. It shows his incredible range. Beyond that, he’s a true professional.”
The latest Top Time campaign features the Caliber B31 — the first three-hand manufacture movement designed and developed by Breitling.
“Breitling, for me, is about adventure and pushing the limits of what’s possible,” Butler said in a statement. “The Top Time speaks to the way I’ve always wanted to live my life: free and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a thrill to be part of the squad.”
Introduced in the ’60s and appealing to both men and women, the Top Time range from Willy Breitling was created as a unique and unconventional chronograph meant to capture the era’s free-spirited energy. It’s popular among motorsport enthusiasts and has a stake in Hollywood, having been famously been worn by James Bond, who donned a Q-modified Top Time in 1965’s “Thunderball.”
Austin Butler in Breitling’s Top Time campaign.
Courtesy Breitling
Now the Top Time B31 reimagines that legacy as a time-only series, with a classic 38 mm size. Behind the collection, the new time-only Caliber B31 represents a return to the fundamentals of watchmaking, according to the brand, delivering performance in a sleek, modern form. As the first Breitling-designed and developed manufacture three-hand movement, it builds on the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 — the industry benchmark for chronograph movements introduced in 2009.
Breitling’s connection to Hollywood runs deep with Brad Pitt, Adam Driver and Charlize Theron each part of the brand’s Ambassador squads. “Austin is one of the most exciting actors of his generation — he brings depth and complexity to every character he plays. In a way, we’re both storytellers. He tells stories through film, and we tell them through our watches. Now, we’re creating a story together,” Kern said.
