In the mid 1960s, auto racing was having a heyday, and a whole subculture had sprung up around "café-racers", stylish motorcycles used to literally transport their riders from hip café to hip café.

Willy Breitling set out to capture the speed-driven style of the day with a completely new take on the timekeeper. The result? The Breitling Top Time, an unconventional chronograph watch designed for "young and active professionals" which quickly became the watch of choice for a sporty in-crowd of men and women equally drawn to the watch's bold proportions.

Today, that freewheeling 1960s café-racer spirit is back in a spectacular new Top Time collaboration between Breitling and British motorcycle brand Triumph. Now in its 120th year, Triumph combines historic craftsmanship with contemporary design to create its classic motorcycles; much like how Breitling creates its timepieces.

"Triumph's heritage and modern-retro aesthetic are just two of the many things we have in common" said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling."The blending of tradition with technology is completely in sync with what we do"

For their debut collaboration, Breitling is producing the Top Time Triumph Chronograph watch, with a distinctive brushed finish in the bow-tie motif nicknamed "the Zorro dial" by Top Time collectors. Meanwhile, Triumph is launching 270 co-branded motorcycles - the Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition - whose buyers will have the opportunity to purchase a special "owners edition" of the Top Time Triumph Chronograph, which features a sunray dial and engraved caseback with the individual number of the bike.

The stars of both watches are their ice-blue dials, with this unique colour being born from two major references: a blue Triumph Thunderbird 6T from 1951, and a rare, blue-dialed Breitling Top Time Ref: 815 from the 1970s.

Showcasing a 41mm case - fit for both sexes, just like the original Top Time - which houses a Breitling Calibre 23 movement (a COSC-certified chronometer with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours), the Breitling Top Time Triumph Chronograph watch is presented on a subdues racing-themed calfskin leather strap that lets its hero dial shine. And one more cool feature collectors will love: the casebacks are etched with a detailed design sketch of Triumph's parallel twin engine.

Of the co-branded watches, Triumph CEO Nick Bloor said: "The collaboration is born out of a shared philosophy of bold and original design. The Top Time Triumph brings that uncompromising style and craftsmanship together."

The Breitling Top Time Triumph Chronograph watch will soon be available to purchase in-store and online at wbruford.com. For more information, contact our watch sales manager Penny to express your interest in this truly iconic piece.