Homage to the Greatest Cyclist of All Time: A Watch Etched with 525 Victories

While many athletes define their era, few set a standard whose records remain unchallenged for decades. Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx did both. Now, Breitling honors the greatest cyclist of all time with a limited-edition chronograph, the Top Time B01 Eddy Merckx.

Last year’s Top Time Coppi and Top Time Bartali were inspired by one of cycling’s most iconic rivalries. This subsequent Eddy Merckx edition continues Breitling’s homage to the world of cycling and its legendary figures.

From the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, Merckx dominated professional cycling with unprecedented strength. His records remain unbroken: 525 victories in total, including 11 Grand Tour wins, 19 Monument race victories, and 3 World Championship titles. He conquered every terrain, every race format, and every rival, securing five Tour de France titles and a record 96 days in the Maillot Jaune (the yellow jersey worn only by the overall leader), the most in history. His legacy is built on numbers that still stand unmatched.

Breitling’s connection to cycle sports dates back to the late 19th century, when the brand produced stopwatches for cycling races, a sport demanding speed, precision, and endurance. In the 1930s, it developed timing devices used for the official timing of bicycle races. That legacy continues decades later, culminating in the Top Time B01 Eddy Merckx, a watch that fuses the energy, ambition, and aesthetics of cycle racing.

"Eddy Merckx is the greatest cyclist of all time. His achievements speak for themselves. These watches represent his relentless drive to go further, faster, and push the limits," says Breitling CEO Jean-Claude Biver.

A Timepiece Etched with Greatness

The Top Time was born in the transformative 1960s as a bold, innovative racing chronograph by Willy Breitling. Embodying the era’s spirit of speed, style, and freedom, the model gained a following among a new generation both on and off the circuit with its graphic dial and dynamic proportions. Now, that energy culminates in a tribute to a cyclist who redefined the limits of performance.

"Few athletes have come to symbolize their sport as Eddy Merckx has. His relentless passion, ambition, and competitive spirit perfectly embody the spirit of the Top Time collection," says George Kern, CEO of House of Brands.

The Top Time B01 Eddy Merckx features a vibrant yellow dial. The collection’s signature “squircle” shaped subdials provide contrast, offering legibility and power that evokes race timing and performance.

Details That Tell a Legend

Look closer, and the story unfolds. Merckx’s signature graces the 6 o’clock position, while the case back is engraved with “One of 525,” denoting the limited production of this tribute. A transparent case back reveals the movement, bordered by the words “Eddy Merckx Tribute,” underscoring the model’s special provenance.

The 41 mm chronograph is powered by Breitling’s Manufacture Caliber 01, a COSC-certified chronometer boasting approximately 70 hours of power reserve. A tachymeter scale emphasizes its racing DNA, while mushroom-shaped pushers ensure smooth chronograph operation. Each model is available with a black perforated leather strap with white stitching or a stainless-steel mesh bracelet, completing its modern-retro aesthetic.

Eddy Merckx, an unparalleled figure of his time and still standing at the pinnacle today. The Top Time B01 Eddy Merckx elevates his numbers into a legacy, and his legacy into style.

About Breitling

Founded in 1884, Breitling has established itself as a leading Swiss luxury watch brand. An innovator, it has left its mark on watchmaking history by developing the modern chronograph and pioneering tool watches for aviation. Today, it continues to break new ground as a casual, inclusive, and sustainable luxury brand with more than 280 industrial loft-inspired boutiques worldwide. Its collections are structured around the air, land, and sea domains, expressed through the brand’s signature modern-retro style. All movements are COSC-certified chronometers, objectively proving their exceptional quality. Breitling is also one of the few independent watchmakers to produce its own manufacture calibers. Today, Breitling is committed to creating beautiful products and experiences with better materials, manufacturing processes, packaging, and end-to-end traceability, all under the mission of “doing it better.” By merging traditional watchmaking with the latest sustainable innovations, Breitling remains a brand that is both historic and forward-looking.