Breitling has launched a new Top Time chronograph, and it is another sign that bold yellow dials are having a moment. According to Breitling, the new Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Eddy Merckx is a limited-edition watch created in tribute to legendary cyclist Eddy Merckx. It is limited to 525 pieces, matching the number of victories Merckx achieved during his career.
The yellow dial is where the Tour de France tribute becomes most obvious. Breitling does not need to spell it out too loudly, but the colour is a clear nod to the race’s yellow jersey, which Merckx wore more than any other rider in history.
This is not the only recent sports chronograph to lean into a bold yellow dial. Tudor recently gave its Black Bay Chronograph a bright yellow “Bumblebee” look, and now Breitling has put the same kind of high-impact colour on one of its own sports chronographs.
Breitling’s take on the yellow-dial trend is a little softer than Tudor’s, though. The yellow dial is paired with silver-toned “squircle” subdials, a blue central chronograph hand and red Eddy Merckx branding on the tachymeter scale. Merckx’s signature also appears above 6 o’clock.
Around the back, the caseback is engraved with “Eddy Merckx Tribute” and the limited-edition numbering. A sapphire display window also shows the movement inside.
Behind the special-edition details, this is still very much a Top Time B01. The stainless steel case measures 41mm across and 13.3mm thick, with 100 metres of water resistance. Power comes from Breitling’s Manufacture Calibre B01, an automatic chronograph movement with a 70-hour power reserve.
Buyers can choose between two strap options. The black leather strap with white stitching is priced at $8,050, while the stainless steel mesh bracelet version costs $8,450.
This is still a niche colour choice, and yellow dials will not be for everyone. But with Tudor and Breitling both leaning into the shade on major chronographs, one of watchmaking’s loudest shades is starting to feel much harder to ignore.