Breitling’s Top Time — loaded with retro charms inspired by the sporty chronograph first introduced in the 1960s, has proven its versatility once again with the Deus Limited Edition, the first step in a new partnership with the Australian-based lifestyle brand.The chances are good you’re familiar with the Deus logo; the distinctive shield that adorns the bottom of the Top Time’s dial can be found anywhere there’s cool — from bikes to apparel to boards. Deus — short for Deus Ex Machina (god from the machine), burst onto the cultural scene in 2006 with custom bikes.

The passion started in Sydney and gradually became a global culture centred on a love of the machine. The Top Time is the latest machine to feel the Deus love — though it must be said that the 41mm automatic chronograph is a little smaller than the bobbers and scramblers that are Deus’ more typical fare. But there’s certainly a shared aesthetic vision, as the bold panda dial and colourful tachymeter scale. Look closer, and you’ll notice the lightning bolt-shaped chrono seconds hand, and the Deus motto ‘In benzin veritas’ (in petrol we trust, naturally) and a retro road racer inscribed on the caseback.

Calibre: Breitling Caliber 23, automatic chronograph, 28,800 a/h, 48 hours of power reserve.
Case and Dial: Stainless steel, 41mm by 14.27mm tal, sapphire crystal, and snapped caseback. Silver dial with contrasting sub-dials.
Strap: Brown racing calfskin strap with pin buckle.