F1-themed watches tend to be very big, very shiny and named after a current F1 driver, or at least one living. The Hubolt Big Bang Ayrton Senna All Black Rattrapante fits just one of those categories, and we'll give you a clue: it's not the bling and it's not the pilot.

The exclusive chronograph flies in the face of fancy with its stealth-like matte black finish and black rubber strap, picking up on the contemporary trend of matte-finish cars. At the heart of the 44.5mm ceramic resin case is Hubolt's HUB44 RT mechanical movement, automatically powered and driving the full array of timing sub-dials.

This big, black muted timepiece is launching the watchmaker's foray into Brazil, Senna's home country, and the watch is the result of a partnership between the Swiss company and the Aytron Senna Institute, the foundation started by his sister Viviane. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the 500 numbered watches go to the Institute, and at $25,000 apiece, it had better be a big chunk.

[Source: Luxist]

Senna chrono goes stealth originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It seems you just can't make an exotic sportscar these days without offering a wristwatch to go with it. Bugatti's got one. Koenigsegg has two. McLaren and TAG Heuer are on their third. And Ferrari's got a whole series. Is it a shameless ploy to capitalize on the merchandizing potential of their supercars, or do their creators simply want to provide their moneyed customers with an adornment for their pampered wrists as bold and unique as the hand-made supercars in their garage? The complication, exclusivity and, if nothing else, sheer price on some of these limited-edition timepieces would seem to indicate the latter.

Enter Pagani into the fray with what seems to be the first licensed piece of merchandise the independent carmaker has produced since first releasing the original Zonda back in 1999. Made in partnership with a likewise new craftshop called Cvstos, the Zonda F chronograph draws its inspiration from its namesake supercar. The crown is patterned on the dials in the Zonda's cabin; the sub-dials on the face are arranged to mimic Pagani's signature exhaust pipes; even the rotating disc, visible through the clear case-back, recalls the Zonda's wheels.

The Cvstos Pagani Zonda F chronograph is available in pink gold, yellow gold or titanium, at an unspoken cost and availability suitable to a creation bearing the Zonda's name.

[Source: Sybarites]

The Pagani Zonda of Wristwatches originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The crossover world of automotive timepieces is not short of mouthwateringly stylish examples, but some stand out more than others. Autoblog's Top 10 Car Watches featured the Breitling Flying B, a supremely stylish (and expensive) rectangular-faced wristwatch. The partnership between Breitling and Bentley has now given birth to a variation arguably even more stylish: the Flying B Chronograph.

The chrono features the same elegant shape as its unconventional conventional counterpart, but the face has been redesigned to accommodate the split-second timing sub-dials of the automatic chronograph movement. Its center features the same striking knurled metal finish you'll find on the switchgear of the most exclusive Bentleys (and surrounding the face on the aforementioned standard Flying B), graced with three square dials for timing functions and art-deco mother-of-pearl hour indicators.

In place of Bentley's usual 6.75-liter V8 or twin-turbo W12, the luminescent hands are motivated by Breitling's COSC-certified, 38-jewl Calibre 44B movement. The Flying B chronograph will be officially unveiled - in steel, white gold or rose gold - at the Baselworld watch show in November, after which it will likely sell for considerably more than its $10,000 counterpart...in true Bentley form.

Looking for more ways to spend big bucks adorning your hand with Bentley luxury? Check out these related posts:

• Iced-out Bentley knob
• Leather is the Key for Bentley owners
• Write-Hand Drive: Bentley diamond jubilee pens by Tibaldi

[Source: TimeZone]

Crewe's Chrono: Breitling for Bentley Flying B Chronograph originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TAG Heuer is a watchmaker with a long history in motorsports, sponsoring racing events, drivers and teams for decades. Even Steve McQueen wore one. Now the Swiss watchmaker has unveiled the "TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz", the third timepiece made in collaboration with the German automaker.

The automatic chronograph features the TAG Heuer Calibre 17 movement enclosed in a uniquely-designed case that takes its styling cues from the SLR McLaren and boasts a number of unique features. While conventional chronographs have the function buttons mounted on the side of the case, TAG Heuer patented a mechanism placing the buttons next to the bezel, like on the previous SLR wristwatch, only angled at 45 degrees. TAG Heuer managed to eliminate the functional tradeoff between a diver's watch and a chronograph by using two bezels: a black titanium bezel with markings against which the user can measure between mileposts to calculate the exact speed all the way up to 400 km/h (248 mph), and a unique second bezel for counting down - handy for qualifying sessions and rally-style timed stages. The designers avoided taking the easy way out: it's the inner bezel that rotates, adjusted by a second crown positioned at 9 o'clock.

Follow the jump for the rest of the details, an official press release, and a second photograph of the timepiece.

Related posts:

• Top 10 Car Watches
• Have a good Time with your Mercedes CL
• Time flies with a Tag Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz watch

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Continue reading TAG Team: Heuer and Mercedes unveil new SLR Chronograph

TAG Team: Heuer and Mercedes unveil new SLR Chronograph originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Precision engineering. Artful design. Exclusive prestige. The kind of machine you can enjoy using every day. Are we talking about the finest automobiles or timepieces? We're referring to both, because these and so many other superlatives and qualities can be attributed to both, and both are among the favorite purchases of those with the means.

It should come as no surprise, then, that these two industries have been crossing over at increasing frequency. The result of the mingling of the two worlds has been a wide array of automotive-inspired watches, taking more or less design cues and construction materials from the automotive industry. On some of the most lusted-after timepieces in jeweler's windows today you'll see such materials as aluminum, titanium, ceramics and carbon fiber; you'll see rubber wrist straps with tire-tread patterns; and you'll see ultra-exclusive watches sharing their name with the most prestigious automobiles and motor races in the world. Of course, some of them cost as much as some cars as well, but there's a wide range of choices for every budget. Here are our Top Ten favorites.

Continue reading Top 10 Car Watches

Top 10 Car Watches originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.