Breitling has been named the Official Watch Partner of ultra-luxury British automaker Aston Martin, marking a high-profile collaboration between two iconic brands united by a shared legacy of speed, precision, and design excellence. Announced on February 5, 2026, the partnership reconnects Breitling and Aston Martin after more than a century of parallel innovation across horology, automotive engineering, and motorsport.
The collaboration will span design, engineering, and performance culture, culminating in the launch of the first Aston Martin–Breitling timepiece in Q3 2026. Grounded in heritage yet driven by modern craftsmanship, the partnership reflects both brands’ commitment to purposeful design and meticulous attention to detail.
The relationship between Breitling and Aston Martin traces back to the earliest days of motoring. In 1907, Léon Breitling introduced the Vitesse, the world’s first chronograph capable of measuring speeds up to 250 miles or kilometers per hour. The instrument was so precise that it was adopted by Swiss police to issue early speeding citations. Around the same time in England, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford were testing a hand-built sports car on Aston Hill, a defining race that gave rise to the Aston Martin name.
By the 1960s, both marques had become global symbols of modern luxury and engineering. Breitling’s Top Time chronograph, designed for a new generation of style-driven speed enthusiasts, achieved iconic status when it appeared on Sean Connery’s wrist in Thunderball (1965). Aston Martin’s DB5, which debuted in Goldfinger (1964) and returned in Thunderball, did the same on four wheels. Appearing together on screen, the watch and the car became enduring emblems of the James Bond era, where sophistication, performance, and innovation intersected.
“Aston Martin and Breitling have crossed paths at key moments in design and culture,” said Adrian Hallmark, CEO of Aston Martin. “This partnership is a showcase of excellence, design mastery, and performance, values that are central to everything Aston Martin represents.”
Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the shared philosophy behind both brands. “Aston Martin builds cars that are as much about presence as performance. We share the same belief in iconic design, where every line, finish, and proportion has purpose.”
As the partnership evolves, collectors and enthusiasts can expect a series of exclusive releases throughout its multi-year run. The collaboration launches with the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Formula One™ Team, marking Breitling’s return to motorsport and setting the tone for a new era where luxury watchmaking and high-performance automotive design converge.
