A Gold-Filled Chronograph from Breitling
Model: Top Time
Circa: 1965
Reference: 2000
Movement: Cal. 188 manual-wind Venus chronograph movement
Case: 36mm; gold-plated with stainless steel case back; chronograph pushers at 2 and 5 o'clock; signed fluted push-down crown and snap-on case back
Dial: Silver dial with sunburst finish; sub-dials for constant seconds and 45 minute register with radial pattern; outer tachymeter ring in black.
More about Breitling:
The Top Time first hit jewelry stores in 1964, as an entry level alternative to Breitling's other chronograph offerings. Overshadowed by its Breitling cousins, the Navitimer and Chronomat--and the Heuer Carrera and Omega Speedmaster, other chronographs with a storied past in both aviation and racing--the Top Time nevertheless enjoyed a racing heritage. Jim Clark, Formula One champion, wore a ref. 2002, a three register version of this model.
Perhaps even more famously, Sean Connery wore a Top Time as James Bond in Thunderball. Bond's watch, a reference 2002 with a handsome black and white dial, bore a specially-modified case made to look like a Geiger counter. While the present watch, a gold-plated ref. 2000 with a stainless steel case back, did not enjoy screen-time, it certainly deserves wrist-time with a collector who desires a vintage Breitling with a racing pedigree.