FEATURE - 2022 Triumph Speed Twin Breitling
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Triumph Motorcycles
Collaborating with premium watchmakers is nothing new in the automotive world, as the likes of Land Rover, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Bentley and Aston Martin have all lent their name and style to special edition timepieces. Amongst motorcycle manufacturers, it’s a bit rarer. Ducati teamed up with Tudor in the past and Honda has collaborated with Casio. Now, Triumph is getting in on the act, partnering with Swiss watchmaker Breitling.
Why this collaboration and why now? According to Triumph, both they and Breitling are renowned for their precision, quality and style, while also being innovators in their respective fields. Breitling has played a pioneering role in the development of the modern chronograph, while Triumph claim to have made an indelible impact in the evolution of the motorcycle.
In more tangible terms, the new partnership will see a special edition Speed Twin come out of Triumph’s Hinckley works, while the Breitling factory in Grenchen, Switzerland, will produce a special version of their Top Time watch.
Swiss History
If you’re not up to speed on Breitling, here’s a little primer.
Founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Breitling has specialised in chronographs for aviation and maritime use, using mostly bought-in movements for models like the ‘Navitimer’ and ‘Chronomat’.
A Breitling ‘Top Time’ watch was used by James Bond in the 1965 film Thunderball, while in the real world, the Swiss company’s chronographs have also been used by NASA astronauts. That led Breitling to produce a special model with a 24-hour face for astronauts to use in space conditions where normal day-night time doesn’t apply. Confusingly, this model was called the ‘Cosmonaute’
A family business until 1978, Breitling was reborn under new owners a year later and rebranded as Breitling AG in 1994. The business has passed through other hands since, but the prestige of the name and the popularity of their range remains.
Breitling’s heritage in aviation means they’re probably best known today for their sponsorship of air race events and aerobatic teams, while some may associate them with luxury car brand Bentley, with whom they’ve had a connection since the early 2000s.
Style Points
Bringing the watch and motorcycle worlds together has resulted in the Triumph Speed Twin ‘Breitling Limited Edition’, which was announced in late February.
Defined by colours, details and identification elements inspired by both brands, the standout feature on the bike is its polychromatic blue paint, which was inspired by Triumph's Thunderbird 6T from the 1950s - the same type of bike that Marlon Brando rode in The Wild One.
Colour-matched off an original Thunderbird paint chip, the distinctive metallic blue finish of the fuel tank is echoed in the ice blue treatment of the instrument faces, which are exclusive to the limited edition and also take styling cues from the dials of Breitling’s Top Time chronographs.
The tank features a jet black band edged with hand-painted coachlines and replaces the script badge seen on the standard Speed Twin with the Triumph lozenge decal and Breitling’s own script logo on top of the tank.
A jet black finish also features the side covers and headlight shell, while the mudguards are painted satin silver.
The saddle is trimmed in black leather with grey stitching inspired by Breitling watch straps and has a perforated top that’s unique to the limited-edition Speed Twin.
A subtle Breitling ‘B’ logo graces the pillion section of the saddle and also features on the clutch and alternator covers that are machined and have a dark anodised finish.
Finally, each of the 270 Triumph Speed Twin Breitling Limited Editions to be built will carry an individual build number on the handlebar panel.
Speed Twin spec . . . with a little Extra
There are virtually no changes to the mechanical package for the Breitling Limited Edition, so the 1200cc parallel twin engine that was upgraded for 2021 and now produces 73.6kW at 7250rpm and 112Nm at 4250rpm applies on this Speed Twin, as does the 2-into-2 exhaust system, torque-assist clutch and six-speed gearbox.
Other current Speed Twin features that were upgraded last year apply to the limited edition, too, including the Marzocchi front forks, new-style cast aluminium 17-inch wheels, Metzeler Racetec RR tyres and brakes that combine Brembo M50 4-psiton radial monobloc calipers on dual 320mm front discs with a Nissin 2-piston floating caliper on a 220mm rear disc and standard ABS.
Speed Twin staples, like the twin analogue instrumentation, bar-end mirrors and LED lighting, are unchanged for the Breitling Limited Edition, as are essential weights and measures, like the 14.5-litre fuel capacity, 805mm seat height and 216kg wet weight.
However, showing this upcoming model isn’t purely a cosmetic package, the rear suspension has been upgraded to Öhlins remote reservoir shocks that are less susceptible to heat and fully adjustable, but retain the same 120mm travel as the units on the standard Speed Twin.
Matching Watch
To complement the Triumph Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition, Breitling will produce a ‘Top Time Triumph’ chronograph in two versions, one of which will be reserved for purchasers of the motorcycle, and individually numbered to match their bike’s build number.
Adding a new look and style to a Breitling model that dates back to the 1960s, the ice blue dial on the Top Time Triumph chronograph picks up on the colour of Top Time watches from the 1970s. On the standard version, the dial has an opalescent brushed finish, while the motorcycle owners’ version has a radiant sunray finish.
A subtle Triumph logo features at 6 o’clock, while the “racing themed” black calfskin strap is said to further accentuate the dial. On the caseback, a sketch of Triumph’s parallel twin engine is etched in, with an individual build number added on the owners’ version.
Powered by Caliber 23, a COSC-certified chronometer with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours, the Top Time Triumph also features a clear, high-contrast tachymeter scale and oversized mushroom pushers for control of the chronometer functions.
Coming mid-2022
Only 270 copies of the Triumph Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition are being produced for the global market, with the number chosen reflecting the 270-degree firing order of the Speed Twin’s 1200cc engine.
Aside from the aforementioned individually-numbered handlebar clamp identification, each bike will also come with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Triumph Motorcycles CEO Nick Bloor and Breitling CEO Georges Kern.
Of the 270 units to be built, a handful were allocated to Australia, all of which were pre-sold within days of the model being announced. This is in spite of a $31,190 price tag - that’s $10,000 more than the regular Speed Twin.
Those lucky few will receive their special Speed Twin from June, 2022.
While the bikes have all been accounted for, there was still an opportunity to pick up a Breitling Top Time Triumph watch at time of writing, through Breitling boutiques in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as online at www.breitling.com
The watch is less expensive than the bike, but not by much, listing for $7,590 (incl. GST) for the standard version, with the more exclusive Top Time Triumph Owners Edition priced at $7,890.
