Palms-On Debut: Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird Watch

After 10 generations of bigger, softer, style-oriented “private luxurious autos,” it may be simple for all however probably the most devoted Ford followers to neglect that the Ford Thunderbird was conceived as a head-to-head competitor for the sporty Chevrolet Corvette. From its debut in 1955 to 1957, the first-generation Thunderbird was greater than a match for its Common Motors-produced rival on paper, significantly in its fire-breathing supercharged F-Code trim. With trim two-seat proportions and styling impressed by Henry Ford II’s private Ferrari 212/225 Inter Spyder Barchetta, the unique Thunderbird was a large hit for Ford, and it lives on in fanatic circles as one of many best American vehicles of the ‘50s. As Breitling seems to be to increase on the success of 2021’s Prime Time Traditional Automobiles assortment, then, the Thunderbird is a worthy topic for adaptation. That is excess of a brand new colorway for an current design, nonetheless. The brand new Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird is the poster baby for a considerably revised second technology of Prime Time Traditional Automobiles chronographs, that includes in-house actions, extra compact proportions, a extra targeted design philosophy, and an aggressive new worth level.

At 41mm-wide, the stainless-steel case of the Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird wears markedly smaller than a lot of the first-generation Prime Time Traditional Automobiles designs. On the entire, this can be a clear, traditional midcentury sports activities chronograph design, with a slim polished bezel, tall piston pushers, and easy angular connected lugs. A predominantly polished end helps to additional root this straightforward format within the visible model of the unique ‘60s Prime Time fashions, whereas horizontal brushing alongside the case sides works to barely break up the visible profile of the case on the wrist. With that stated, the 13.8mm-thick total bulk continues to be readily obvious in regular put on, though a lot of this top comes courtesy of the tall beveled sapphire crystal. A second sapphire crystal adorns the show caseback, together with a printed rendition of the traditional first-generation Ford Thunderbird emblem. Printed sapphire casebacks are almost at all times a degree of division within the watch group, however the small dimensions and clear presentation of this ingredient make it far much less onerous than many others of the sort. Breitling finishes off the case with a strong 100-meter water resistance score.

In comparison with the remainder of the Prime Time Traditional Automobiles assortment, the Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird’s dial is a quieter, extra reserved affair. Slightly than the wealthy, vibrant colours and detailed brushed finishes of its predecessors, the Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird’s dial is basically easy matte white. Whereas this will likely take away a few of the sporty drama from the format, it additionally attracts the attention extra towards the nuances of the design, and this new mannequin excels at these finer particulars. At first look, there’s a lot of this design that registers as normal vintage-inspired sports activities chronograph fare – the straightforward printed baton indices, the chisel-tipped striped baton fingers, the outer tachymeter ring, and the needle-shaped central chronograph seconds hand are all very acquainted parts, for instance. When you dig deeper, nonetheless, you start to come back throughout a wealth of considerate, quirky design selections that give the Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird a personality all its personal.

The obvious of those decisions is using coloration. And not using a daring, saturated dial hue to anchor the design visually, every spot of accent coloration turns into extra distinguished, and Breitling makes use of this precept successfully with a mixture of muted brick purple and orange to attract consideration to chronograph parts. From the tachometer redline-inspired coloration blocks on the outer tachymeter ring to the matte purple size of the central chronograph seconds hand, these heat tones breathe power into the design whereas subtly reinforcing the central automotive theme. Breitling balances out these fiery hues with even handed use of turquoise – a coloration deeply tied to the Thunderbird line as an entire – for the 9 o’clock working seconds hand and the 12 o’clock printed Ford Thunderbird emblem. Though uninformed watch followers would possibly see this as a “Tiffany Blue” accent to money in on the latest reputation of comparable colours, this can be a markedly completely different shade of blue in follow, and one which carries almost seven many years of provenance with the Ford model. Though the distinctive rounded-square design of the subdials right here is carried over from the primary technology of Prime Time Traditional Automobiles releases, the lighter, extra restrained coloration palette of the Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird additionally attracts focus in direction of Breitling’s distinctive ending for these parts. Azurage is a standard sufficient sight for chronograph subdials, however the best way Breitling incorporates this acquainted end into the unorthodox form of the subdials themselves is a delight on the wrist. The gradual shift from harsh squares within the middle to a softer kind on the subdial edge is a simple element to miss, but it surely’s one which speaks deeply to the care Breitling places into this apparently easy design. General, this dial acts as a good-looking visible counterpoint to the wilder Prime Time Traditional Automobiles fashions that comprise the remainder of the gathering, with a glance that well echoes the extra gentlemanly sporting aesthetic of the ‘50s period that gave beginning to the Thunderbird.

Like all new releases on this assortment, the Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird is supplied with the in-house B01 computerized chronograph motion. The B01 is a strong contender in its market phase, sporting a 70-hour energy reserve at a 28,800 bph beat charge, COSC chronometer certification for accuracy, and a column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph actuation system. Breitling matches this spectacular efficiency with subdued ending. A mixture of easy vertical and arabesque brushing tops the plates and bridges, whereas the stylized skeleton rotor includes a matching vertically brushed look. Breitling finishes the watch with a wealthy purple rally-style leather-based strap. This splash of coloration helps so as to add a sportier presence to the remarkably restrained dial, but it surely additionally feels at dwelling with the ‘50s-style purple leather-based interiors that had been widespread in first-generation Thunderbirds.

Though it takes a decidedly subtler strategy than a lot of its stablemates, the brand new Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird takes the Prime Time Traditional Automobiles assortment ahead into a brand new technology whereas delivering a compelling tribute to one of many best-loved traditional vehicles of the ‘50s. The Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird is on the market now by licensed sellers. It’s value noting, nonetheless, that the transfer to the in-house B01 chronograph motion comes with a steep worth enhance – beginning MSRP for the Breitling Prime Time B01 Ford Thunderbird stands at $8,000 USD as of press time, a full $2,500 greater than the Prime Time Traditional Automobiles fashions launched in 2021. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.