Austin Butler Comes Out on Top With Breitling’s New B31 Top Time

Jeremy Freed May 13, 2025

With his effortless style, natural charisma, and (it must be said) great hair, Austin Butler is the latest in a long line of leading men, from James Dean to Steve McQueen to Brad Pitt, who perfectly embody Southern California cool. It’s a vibe that’s been further distilled by his on-screen turns in Elvis, Dune 2, The Bikeriders, and Apple TV’s dadcore WWII epic, Masters of Air. Now, thanks to a recently announced partnership with Swiss luxury watch brand Breitling, Butler’s latest role is that of brand ambassador. Butler’s addition to Breitling’s A-list celebrity squad comes as the brand launches the new Top Time B31, a classic three-hand sports watch that, like Butler himself, brings a potent mix of style and substance to the table.

“Breitling, for me, is about adventure and pushing the limits of what’s possible,” Butler says. “The Top Time speaks to the way I’ve always wanted to live my life: free and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a thrill to be part of the squad.”

First launched in the 1960s, the Breitling Top Time was inspired by the rebellious energy of the era, with bold styling and a rugged design to complement surfing, motorcycling, and other freewheeling pursuits. The Top Time’s adventurous connotations were underscored in 1965, when Sean Connery wore a Top Time as James Bond in Thunderball (in typical fashion, the Q-modified version featured a Geiger counter). Relaunched in 2020, the new Top Time picked up where its predecessor left off, with a lineup of B01 chronographs dedicated to some of the world’s most beloved muscle cars and classic motorcycles.

As the newest addition to the family, the B31 offers a fresh look for the Top Time while preserving its sporty retro feel. With a unisex 38 mm case size, a clean, mid-century-inspired dial available in white on blue, black on green, and sky blue on white, and a sporty selection of perforated leather straps, it strikes the ideal balance of vintage and modern. Behind its handsome face, however, is an equally impressive feature in the form of the Manufacture B31, the first Breitling-designed and developed three-hand movement. “This is watchmaking distilled to its essentials — pure timekeeping, easy wearability, and distinct character,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern.