CHRONICLE
AUSTIN BUTLER AND THE NEW TOP TIME B31
FREEDOM IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Austin Butler’s rise has been defined by freedom—choosing roles, crafting his characters, and collaborating with Hollywood’s biggest names on his terms. Breitling’s newest brand ambassador stays true to himself, transforming passion into purpose on and off screen.
On set, there is not much Austin Butler requires but a bit of time between takes to decompress and focus. From working with the best in the business to press appearances and awards shows to promote his latest films, it’s in these quieter moments when his thoughtful side shines through.
On the rise after his titular, Oscar-nominated performance in Elvis, Austin can be on the road filming for months—Elvis was a year in production.
Austin says he was once a shy kid, but now he’s dealing with a certain loss of privacy that comes with being famous. “It’s challenging,” he says, but his ambitions, talents, and success combined have arguably made him the most iconic American actor of his generation.
His on-screen precision and dedication to his craft have also brought him to a sweet spot in his life, though he remains, by his own admission, “kind of an introvert.” These days, he says he’s fortunate to leave much of the talk about his career to critics and fans.
As the face of the new Top Time B31, Austin embodies the energy of Breitling’s most free-spirited collection—a line defined by bold individuality and an uncompromising sense of freedom. Designed for those who embrace life on their own terms, Top Time reflects Austin’s authenticity and quiet confidence. His story resonates across Breitling’s rugged men’s lines, with Top Time leading the way in capturing his essence: a seamless blend of character, independence, and effortless style.
TOP TIME FOR THE FREE SPIRIT
Austin Butler grew up in middle-class Anaheim, California, and knew from a young age that he wanted to act. His parents would drive him around to different auditions, and sometimes he would land a part in a series or film.
On television at home, his dad would watch classic movies from the golden era of cinema. Now that Austin’s career is on the fast track, he’s reaching a level of stardom that only a handful of legends have experienced.
Austin says, “Watching James Dean growing up— he just had this animalistic energy. It drove me to want to act.” From finding his way into character to enjoying his off-set downtime riding his motorcycle, Austin shares what drives him down his unique path and what it means when he hits his stride on set.
He’s found ways to connect with other actors that meaningfully translate to audiences, in part because he thinks of acting, on a certain level, as an energetic exchange.
When Breitling meets Austin at his on-set trailer, he alternates between strumming the guitar and going over lines for the next scene. He says he’s learned over the years to take the time to enjoy those moments of freedom between takes. Lately, he’s been so busy with projects, film festivals, and awards that time is what he values most.
“You just have to make it all work out somehow,” Austin says. “There were years where I was just trying to make it work.”
Since his Oscar nod for Elvis the offers for starring roles have increased exponentially, and his star is on a serious ascent. In recent years, he has shown his fullest range yet while working alongside the best in the industry. He has taken on roles as divergent as a World War II pilot (Masters of the Air) and a member of a 1960s Chicago motorcycle gang (The Bikeriders).
DOORS. BUT THERE ARE DRAWBACKS—DO I LIVE WITH THE GOOD AND BAD? “ “
FAME
OPENS
AB3113281A1X1
AB3113A71C1X1
AB3113171L1X1
TOP TIME HISTORY
MANUFACTURE CALIBER B31
Robust in nature but meticulous in precision, the Caliber B31 is Breitling’s newest manufacture movement developed over four years. It’s the brand’s next-generation, three-hand automatic caliber, designed and assembled at the Breitling Chronometrie.
Austin’s journey to acting’s upper echelon comes after spending decades on sets and stages honing his craft. In recent years, he has portrayed American icons—and by extension become one along the way.
For him, freedom is about much more than the open road—it’s also about opening the road for yourself. He says it’s all about character development when he is performing. In the roles he has taken on, Austin says he works on becoming the person from the inside out, figuring out what makes them tick, why they get out of bed in the morning.
“Sometimes there are these challenges where you really focus to achieve a certain emotion or emotional range in this short amount of time that you have to deliver. The journey to get there is its own story.”
Austin says the responsibility to perform when there are big shoes to fill can be overwhelming.
“If it means I am free to do the sort of work and projects I love, well bring it,” he adds. He is not
shy about the fact that the freedom to perform in roles he spent years dreaming of is a big part of what motivates him each day.
His journey to his craft, he says, was informed by co-stars, some of them legends. Over the years, they have given him a boost up, an introduction when it counted and—in one case—even a typewriter to help with getting into character.
With the typewriter, he began to exchange letters, in character, with his co-star. Austin says the blank page in the typewriter was literally like the open road, like a journey towards a character that is— as yet—unwritten.
“It was a way I never thought about getting into character, but then you are forced to think before each letter hits the page,” Austin says. “There is just such a release when it does.”
THERE’S FREEDOM WHEN THE MIND CAN FOCUS ON WHAT IT WANTS AND WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO. IT’S WHEN I FEEL MOST FREE.
CHRONOMAT CONFIDENCE IS A STYLE STATEMENT
PART OF CONFIDENCE IS SUCCESS, BUT IT ALSO COMES FROM WITHIN. “ “
NAVITIMER JOURNEY TO THE TOP
Austin says he never wanted to be known for a performance in one particular role or film. For him, it’s all about the journey, that’s the ultimate destination, he says.
“All my heroes on screen have this versatility, and even when they are in quieter roles, you feel this emotional range,” he says.
There was no better education for Austin in his career than being in the business of show business, being guided by some of the industry’s top directors.
One of the famous directors he’s worked with is known for always asking for another take. Each time, he would turn to his crew and, very loudly, ask them why. “Then everyone on set, all these people he’s worked with over the years, they all shout, ‘Because we love making movies!’” Austin says, “So like the next time he asks, you’re in on it too.”
It’s not just lip service, he lives for making movies. With his break over, Austin walks towards the cameras. And soon enough, they’re rolling.
