Back in black for Deus Ex Machina

Hot on the heels of two sold-out limited editions, Breitling and the Australian custom motorcycle and surf outfitter Deus Ex Machina have joined forces on a third installment of the Top Time Deus, set to become part of Breitling’s core collection.
The new piece presents a monochromatic departure from its colorful predecessors, with a black dial contrasted by its white triple-register subdials and tachymeter scale. Where the color comes in are with touches of red on the outer dial and – most vividly – on the centerpiece chrono hand that, like the two previous Top Time Deus editions, is shaped like a lightning bolt. Once again, the sublime engine behind this watch is the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, whose open sapphire-crystal caseback features a red Deus logo at its center.

The Caliber 01 is equipped with a column-wheel system, the hallmark of high-end mechanical chronograph movements, and a vertical clutch that provides precise and smooth operation. The movement holds its power for approximately 70 hours (versus 38 to 48 hours for standard ebauche movements). Its clever modular design allows for easy cleaning and servicing by giving access to specific caliber areas without the need for a full disassembly. Breitling is so confident in the quality of its manufacture calibers that it offers them with a 5-year warranty (compared to 2 years for non-manufacture). 

Deus Ex Machina ("god from the machine") roared into Australia’s cultural consciousness in 2006, with some neatly customized motorcycles and a quaint notion that doing something is more fun than just owning something.