Breitling releases Eddy Merckx-themed watch that honours The Cannibal’s 525 victories and 5 Tour de France titles
Breitling has unveiled the Top Time B01 Eddy Merckx, a pair of timepieces created as a tribute to the cyclist widely regarded as the greatest of all time.
Breitling CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué said: “Eddy Merckx is the greatest cyclist of all time. His record speaks for itself. These watches reflect that relentless drive to go further, faster, and continuously push the limits.”
The new watch celebrates Merckx’s extraordinary achievements in professional cycling. Nicknamed The Cannibal, he secured 525 career victories, including 11 Grand Tours, 19 Monuments, and three World Championship titles. He also claimed five Tour de France victories and spent an impressive 96 days wearing the iconic yellow jersey.
Originally introduced in the 1960s—the same decade Merckx began his professional career—the Top Time collection was designed as a line of racing-inspired watches that embodied the era’s passion for speed, style, and freedom.
The Top Time B01 Eddy Merckx pays homage to those achievements through a series of thoughtful design elements. Its vibrant yellow dial references Merckx’s Tour de France triumphs, while contrasting subdials in the collection’s signature “squircle” shape enhance readability and reflect the aesthetics of race timing and performance.
Additional tribute details include the engraving “One of 525” on the caseback, commemorating his total number of career victories. The transparent caseback also features the inscription “Eddy Merckx Tribute”, while the cyclist’s signature appears at the 6 o’clock position on the dial.
The 41mm chronograph is powered by Breitling’s in-house Manufacture Caliber 01, a self-winding movement offering approximately 70 hours of power reserve.
Customers can choose between a calfskin leather strap with a folding clasp or a stainless steel mesh bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
This is not Breitling’s first watch inspired by cycling. Last year, the Swiss watchmaker introduced the Top Time Coppi and Top Time Bartali editions, celebrating one of the sport’s most legendary rivalries.
Breitling’s connection with cycling dates back to the late 19th century, when the brand produced cycling stopwatches. In the 1930s, it also developed timing equipment that was used during competitive cycling events.
The company has yet to announce pricing for the Top Time B01 Eddy Merckx, although it is unlikely to reach the million-dollar price tag of the recently launched Colnago and Richard Mille collaboration.
The cycling-inspired watch trend has continued to grow, with recent releases including Bravur’s Grand Tour Sprinter, which honors cycling’s fastest finishers, as well as a collaborative edition with Zwift.
