Autoblog

Amazing LaFerrari tribute watch more intricate than the real thing [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Etc., Videos, Ferrari, Design/Style, Luxury

The Enzo had no companion watch, but its successor, the Ferrari LaFerrari, does. Created by Hublot "entirely in parallel with the car" and "alongside the Ferrari teams," the MP-05 LaFerrari tribute watch is a similar test of how much gobsmacking gadgetry can be packed into a chassis. The manually-wound watch has 11 barrels set in a spine down the center that work together to provide a 50-day power reserve. So yes, it does need to be wound, but only once every seven weeks.

Hublot says the movement, engineered in-house, has 637 components. It has more pieces than any other movement Hublot has ever designed, and it gets a tourbillon to further showcase the "demonstration of watchmaking virtuosity." The face is sapphire crystal, the case is black PVD titanium and features an open case-back, the strap is rubber with a PVD titanium buckle. Time is told via the barrels to the right of the the spine on the right - it's 10:05 on the watch above. To the left are the barrels displaying the amount of power remaining.

Hublot hasn't disclosed the price, so you know what that means. There will be 50 tribute watches made, each sent in a presentation case wrapped in Schedoni leather and carbon fibre and including the miniature power tool you need to wind the timepiece. You can read all about it in the press release below, and for true watch geeks there's also an in-depth wrists-on video of the MP-05, performed by ABlogtoWatch.com.

Continue reading Amazing LaFerrari tribute watch more intricate than the real thing [w/video]

Amazing LaFerrari tribute watch more intricate than the real thing [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autodromo Monoposto watches put vintage tachometers on your wrist

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Design/Style

The explosion of the Swiss watch industry has brought with it an abundance of automotive-themed timepieces. Many of them are either excessively chunky or ornate, and the simplest, most elegant ones are often excessively spendy. The Monoposto series from Autodromo goes in the opposite direction: based on tachometers from mid 20th Century grand prix cars like the Alfetta 159 and Lancia D50, the sparse dials feature 'mounting' screws along the center line and a 'redline' painted inside the crystal.

The case is 43 millimeters across, the leather band clasped with a polished roller buckle reminiscent of vintage race cars. The series, built with automatic movements, calendar complications and an exhibition caseback, comes with either a black or matte silver dial and is limited to 500 pieces, each costing $875. Sure, you can probably still get them in time for Christmas, but it's never the wrong time for a good gift.

Autodromo Monoposto watches put vintage tachometers on your wrist originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autodromo enhances its functional simplicity with Vallelunga Chronograph

Noah Joseph — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

As automotive enthusiasts by profession, there's nothing we love here at Autoblog quite as much as cars. But a distant second for many of us comes watches. Fortunately, there's no shortage of automotive-inspired timepieces out on the market, but the unfortunate reality for many is that the correlation is just too forced. That's what we love about Officine Autodromo.

Rather than amp up their octane count with branding associations or glossy carbon-fiber components, Autodromo takes a deliciously understated approach with minimalist designs that take their inspiration from the tachometers on Italian racing cars from the 1960s and 70s and their names from famous Italian racing circuits.

We reported on Autodromo's first collection upon its launch back in November, and now the upstart has followed up with a chronograph version of its slick Vallelunga timepiece. Upgrading on the simplicity of its lug-less case design, the Vallelunga Chronograph features the stopwatch and 30-minute counter sought by many drivers looking for more timing functions out of their wristwatch. It's powered by a a Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement, housed under K1 anti-glare crystal, affixed to the wrist by a perforated leather strap and available with either a white face and brushed stainless steel case or in black on black.

You can find further details in the press release below, but the high-res image gallery is worth checking out just for the photo shoot orchestrated in France behind the wheel of four classic Alfa Romeos and a vintage Lotus Eleven.

Continue reading Autodromo enhances its functional simplicity with Vallelunga Chronograph

Autodromo enhances its functional simplicity with Vallelunga Chronograph originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shelby teams up with David Yurman for wristwatch line

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Design/Style

Say what you will, but in this business you're nobody until you have your own watch line. Ferrari has several, Bentley teams up with Breitling, Aston Martin partners with Jaeger-LeCoultre, Bugatti with Parmigiani Fleurier... the list goes on and on, and now includes one more: Carroll Shelby and David Yurman.

The collaboration was forged over the timepiece you see here, created to accompany the 950-horsepower Shelby 1000 unveiled at the New York Auto Show just last month. The David Yurman Limited Edition Shelby 1000 timepiece features a Swiss-made Valjoux 7753 automatic chronograph in a 43.5mm stainless steel and rubber case with tachymeter bezel and guilloche racing stripes on the galvanized steel dial.

It's affixed to the wrist by a rubber strap with snakeskin texture, and only 300 examples will be made: 150 in bare stainless steel and 150 with a black PVD coating. It's the first of many Shelby-branded wristwatches that the David Yurman brand will be making for Shelby, and you can check it out in high-resolution by clicking the image above and scrolling down below for the full press release.

Continue reading Shelby teams up with David Yurman for wristwatch line

Shelby teams up with David Yurman for wristwatch line originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari contracts Movado for new line of watches

Noah Joseph — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ferrari

Having trouble keeping track of which watchmaker is producing timepieces for Ferrari these days? It can get a little confusing. Girard-Perregaux held the license for many years, after which a lackluster partnership was formed with Panerai. Then Cabestan was contracted to make one very fancy-looking watch for the Prancing Horse marque, before Hublot got the nod. And that's not including the more affordable watches marketed less to Ferrari owners than to the Scuderia's tifosi. Now, Maranello has formed another partnership with a different watchmaker.

That watchmaker is Movado, the Swiss firm best know for creating elegant and simply styled timepieces that look just as much at home in a museum showcase as they do on a wearer's wrist. Movado also makes watches under the Ebel, Concord, ESQ, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture and Lacoste labels, and will now be adding Ferrari to its roster of brands.

The collection is set to draw its inspiration from Ferrari's road and racing cars, and is set to be launched next year at the Watch & Jewelry Fair in Basel, Switzerland, after which they will go on sale at Ferrari stores around the world and online with prices peaking at 1,500 euros (around $2,000). Follow the jump for the official announcement.

Continue reading Ferrari contracts Movado for new line of watches

Ferrari contracts Movado for new line of watches originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bulgari crafts sophisticated Octo Maserati watch

Noah Joseph — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Maserati, Luxury

There's no lack of choices in timepieces for automotive enthusiasts, but unfortunately most of them come down to simply slapping an automaker's name or logo (or that of a racing series or driver) on an existing timepiece and calling it a day. That, however, is not the route Maserati has gone with its new timepiece.

In fact, you'd have to turn this watch over to see the Trident logo on the casebook. Instead, Bulgari has opted to let the design and the mechanical precision it encases speak to the same themes it shares with its new automotive partner.

The Octo Maserati watch is built around the highly sophisticated Calibre GG7800 automatic chronograph movement which Bulgari crafts itself at the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Bulgari in Le Sentier, Switzerland. Rather than displaying its time through the ordinary combination of hands sweeping around the dial, the Octo watch places a jumping hour window at the 12 o'clock position and retrograde displays for the minutes, date and chronograph counters.

The 45-jewel movement is backed by a 38-hour power reserve and encased in a 45-millimeter brushed steel case with scratch-resistant, anti-glare sapphire crystal front and back. The blue-lacquered dial is designed to recall a Maserati's grille, and the piece is affixed to the wrist by a blue calfskin strap with butterfly clasp. We dare not ask what a timepiece like this will sell for, but trust that it will be sufficiently Maserati-like in its sticker. So the closest we're likely to get is the high-resolution images in the gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Bulgari crafts sophisticated Octo Maserati watch

Bulgari crafts sophisticated Octo Maserati watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breitling celebrates new Continental GT with GMT V8 chronograph

Noah Joseph — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Bentley, Luxury

With co-branding arrangements in place with an increasing array of luxury labels, Bentley doesn't limit its brand just to cars these days. But of all the sunglasses, wallets, pens, skis and cashmere scarves licensed by the British purveyor of super-luxury automobiles, few are as well established as its partnership with Breitling.

The Swiss watchmaker has been with Bentley for years, and has celebrated every milestone along the way. So with the introduction of the new V8-powered Continental GT, Breitling wasn't about to miss the opportunity to dazzle us with another piece of shiny wrist candy.

Limited to just 250 examples, the Breitling for Bentley GMT V8 chronograph features an additional hour hand that displays the time in a second time zone, and a rotating red inner bezel displaying major cities in time zones around the world. It's powered by a COSC-certified chronometer mechanism with a 30-second sweep, encased in steel and affixed to the wrist with either a metal bracelet or unique rubber strap.

We wouldn't dare ask how the timepiece sells for, but considering the Bentley customers they're selling to, we'd expect suitably Bentley-like prices.

Breitling celebrates new Continental GT with GMT V8 chronograph originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officine Autodromo places the spirit of vintage Italian racing on your wrist

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Some watchmakers seek out automotive associations - typically in the form of licensing agreements with automakers or racing series. But some just have octane just dripping from their cogs. Like this latest collection from Officine Autodromo.

The brainchild of industrial designer Bradley Price, the Officine Autodromo launch collection consists of three models - Veloce (Italian for "speed"), Brescia (named for the Northern Italian town that forms the start/finish line for the Mille Miglia rally), and Valelunga (for the racing circuit outside of Rome).

Each features a dial inspired by the instruments on 1960s and 1970s Italian racing cars, a Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement (with date window) and a 42-milimeter case in brushed or PVD-coated stainless steel. The perforated black leather wrist straps mount directly into the round case, not unlike the four-figure Manometro timepieces offered by Giuliano Mazzuoli, but far more accessible with prices pegged at $425. Check them out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Officine Autodromo places the spirit of vintage Italian racing on your wrist

Officine Autodromo places the spirit of vintage Italian racing on your wrist originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hublot named as Ferrari's latest official timekeeper [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Ferrari

Watchmakers pursue partnerships with automakers and racing series like they're made of gold - which is, often enough, the case with the timepieces that ensue. Breitling has Bentley. Jaeger-LeCoultre has Aston Martin. TAG Heuer has McLaren. We'll let you draw your own conclusions about Porsche Design watches.

Ferrari's relationship with official timekeepers has been a bit more volatile, however. Girard-Perregaux served the function until a few years ago when the contract was awarded to Panerai. Cabestan was supposed to be producing a very high-end timepiece for Ferrari next, but now the coveted contract has been awarded to Hublot.

If that name sounds familiar to fans of the Scuderia, that's because Hublot already serves as official timekeeper for Formula 1 - much as Rolex does for Le Mans, Edox does for the World Rally Championship and Chopard does for classic rallies like the Mille Miglia.

Although the first result of their collaboration has yet to be unveiled, the partnership was officially announced this weekend at the Mugello circuit where Ferrari is wrapping up its season of client racing programs with the annual Finali Mondiali. Follow the jump for the press release and video footage from the press conference.

Continue reading Hublot named as Ferrari's latest official timekeeper [w/video]

Hublot named as Ferrari's latest official timekeeper [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates Aston Martin Racing with AMVOX5 LMP1

Noah Joseph — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Aston Martin

There are lots of watchmakers out there leveraging their automotive partnerships with special edition timepieces, but few of them are as convincing as the series Jaeger-LeCoultre produces for Aston Martin. And there are few we'd rather have on our wrists.

Most of the AMVOX series are inspired by Aston Martin road cars - some even have transponders to open and close the doors - but this latest example pays tribute to Aston's victorious racing program. The AMVOX5 LMP1 packs JLC's 41-jewel Caliber 752 movement with chronograph and GMT functions, so you can time your hot laps at circuits from Suzuka to Sebring, La Sarthe to Laguna Seca, plus a date window and 65-hour power reserve.

The precision movement is housed in a 44-milimeter ceramic-titanium case, affixed to the wrist with a calfskin and Cordura strap, all decked out in the team's blue and orange livery. We got a chance at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to see one of the 250 examples that will be offered before the press embargo lifted, and were tempted to race off with one of our own. But since we resisted the urge, you can see more in the trio of high-res images.

Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates Aston Martin Racing with AMVOX5 LMP1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Design reinvents the Dashboard watch

Noah Joseph — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Porsche, Design/Style

There are many elements that go into making a Porsche a Porsche, and one of them is the minimalist dashboard. Ten years ago, Porsche Design, the company's Austrian product design division, took its cues from a 911's instrument cluster and designed a wristwatch after it. And now they've updated the design with a new model.

The P'6620 is made of titanium with available black PVD coating in a nod to the original black watch that FA Porsche pioneered in 1972. Inside the oversize 44-milimeter case and behind the anti-glare, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal sits an ETA Valjoux 7753 chronograph function with power reserve that can keep it going for two days straight without moving from your night table.

The overall package is about as slick as they come, and sells for about six grand. Check it out in the press release after the jump and the gallery of high-resolution images.

Continue reading Porsche Design reinvents the Dashboard watch

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Porsche Design shows you which way to go with retro compass watch

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Porsche, Design/Style

Drivers of the Porsche 911 may find it amusingly easy to swing the tail around, though they'll have lost their sense of direction in no time. Fortunately, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche designed a compass watch back in 1978 that combined the functions, as you might have guessed, of a compass and a watch. And now his design company has followed up with a modernized re-issue of the classic.

Crafted from black PVD-coated titanium, the P'6520 Compass Watch features an automatic three-hand watch face with date function and luminescent hands that tilts upwards to reveal a liquid compass.

Compared to its 1978 precursor, the case has grown by three millimeters to a fashionably oversize 42 mm in diameter, and does away with the aluminum construction in favor of the non-allergenic space-age metal. Production, however, is limited to a highly symbolic 911 examples. Follow the jump for the full press release and check out the images in the high-res gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Porsche Design shows you which way to go with retro compass watch

Porsche Design shows you which way to go with retro compass watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mansory thankfully lets Graham London design their chronograph for them

Noah Joseph — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc.

Graham Chronofighter for Mansory - Click for high-res image gallery

If you're going to provide sportscars to the clientele that can afford them, you'd better be ready to offer them a wristwatch to go with it. Just about every exotic automaker does, and now even the aftermarket firms are lining up to do the same.

In the case of Mansory - purveyors of so many gaudy mod jobs - the customizers teamed up with Graham London, the same watchmaker that makes custom wristwatches for the Mercedes GP team. Which is a good thing, because if Mansory designed it themselves, something tells us it would come out in pepto pink and purple or feature more gold bling than all of St. Petersburg - Russia and Florida.

Instead, Graham created a special-edition Chronofighter with an oversize 47mm steel case, a carbon fiber dial, bezel decorated in the "Clous de Paris" motif and a smoked sapphire crystal case-back. Inside is a Calibre G1734 automatic chronograph movement, operated by trigger on the left side (for easier operation while driving) and affixed to the wrist with a rubber strap.

The effect is hardly subtle, but next to some of Mansory's other offerings, it looks downright subdued. The price, though, is decidedly in keeping with Mansory's invoice sheet: If you can get your hands on one of the 50 that will be made, it'll set you back €8,900 in Germany - about $12,700 in equivalent American currency. Details in the press release after the jump, with images in the high-resolution gallery.

Continue reading Mansory thankfully lets Graham London design their chronograph for them

Mansory thankfully lets Graham London design their chronograph for them originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tudor Fastrider for Ducati proves riding well is all in the wrist

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Motorcycle

Tudor Fastrider Ducati - Click above for high-res images

We come across a seemingly endless array of array of automotive-inspired wristwatches here at Autoblog, but every once in a while we're treated to something a little different. Like this model that's made for motorcycle riders and aficionados.

The result of a partnership between Tudor and Ducati, this chronograph packs a Swiss-made automatic mechanical movement with 46-hour power reserve into a 42-milimeter satin-finish steel case, with chronograph subdials and engraved tachymeter scale for timing split-second lap times. Instead of the usual steel bracelet or rubber or leather strap, the Tudor Fastrider offers a NATO strap, made from nylon webbing, that allows it to be securely fitted on the wrist or over a pair of riding gloves.

Rather than rely on a slathering of logos, the Fastrider Ducati says it all with its color scheme: a red face with off-center black racing stripes, the reverse applied to the strap. But like a Ducati motorbike, it don't come cheap, with prices set around four grand.

Tudor Fastrider for Ducati proves riding well is all in the wrist originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zenvo's North American special edition ST1 50S comes with watch, $1.8 million price tag

Noah Joseph — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

Zenvo ST1 50S - Click above for image gallery

Denmark may not rank among the countries - like Italy, Germany or England - you'd list as the foremost producer of exotic supercars, but Zenvo is out to change that with the ST1. The Danish sportscar is coming to America courtesy of Red Sea Distribution, and not unlike the new Volkswagen Beetle with its Black Turbo Launch Edition (albeit at the other end of the spectrum), the ST1 is getting its own special edition exclusively for the North American market.

Only three examples of the ST1 50S - one each in red, white and blue - will be produced, each with a price tag of (wait for it) $1.8 million. That's a whopping $575k more than the existing ST1, so what do you get for all that extra cash? Well, aside from exclusivity, the twin-charged, in-house 7.0-liter V8 has been tuned up to a whopping 1250 horsepower and 1106 lb-ft of torque - 146 and 52 more, respectively, than the "standard" car - coupled to the seven-speed paddle-shifter that's offered as optional on the standard car over the six-speed manual.

A dedication plaque and monogrammed seats are also part of the package, and it comes with a special watch from Aspen, itself worth $49k. Deduct that from the purchase price and you're still paying $526k more for this special edition of an already seven-figure supercar. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the blue example (which is really just a recolored picture of the silver car above), along with the Aspen watch, in the included image gallery.

Continue reading Zenvo's North American special edition ST1 50S comes with watch, $1.8 million price tag

Zenvo's North American special edition ST1 50S comes with watch, $1.8 million price tag originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TAG Heuer celebrates 100th anniversary of the Indy 500

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 May 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

TAG Heuer Limited Edition Indy 500 Centennial Chronograph - Click above for high-res image

Many try, but few capture the racing spirit in watch form as well as TAG Heuer. So it's only fitting that the Swiss watchmaker should be the one to celebrate the 100th anniversary of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" - the Indy 500 - as best it knows how: with a special-edition chronograph.

Based on TAG Heuer's Formula 1 model, the Limited Edition Indy 500 Centennial Chronograph is distinguished by such special touches as a grey Brickyard-motif dial, Indy 500 logo in the small counter at 6 o'clock and the words Indy 500 engraved in red on the fixed bezel.

The 44mm steel case also features a full tachymeter scale, chronograph movement and water resistance to 200 meters, affixed to the wrist with either a rubber strap or steel bracelet. Only 1,000 examples will be made - including one to be presented to the race winner on May 29 - retailing for about $1,650. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Continue reading TAG Heuer celebrates 100th anniversary of the Indy 500

TAG Heuer celebrates 100th anniversary of the Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Girard-Perregaux R&D 01 stands as the quintessential driver's watch

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 May 2011 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Girard-Perregaux R&D 01 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Some watchmakers need a merchandizing deal with an carmaker to give their timepieces an automotive theme. Others bank on their sponsorship of racing teams. Girard-Perregaux had Luigi Macaluso.

A former racing driver himself, Macaluso served as president of both the Italian Motorsport Federation and the International Karting Federation. He won the European Rally Championship in 1972, and served on the FIA's World Motor Sport Council. In other words, a car guy (and racing enthusiast) through and through. And from 1992 until his passing last year, he served as president of Girard-Perregaux.

Macaluso's own ties to the automotive industry brought the likes of Ferrari and Pininfarina to partner with GP for their own branded timepieces - the former later switching to Panerai and the latter collaborating on a watch for the Rolls-Royce Hyperion and another for the P4/5 Competizione - but arguably its finest driver's watch bore no merchandizing partnership at all.

The R&D 01 is the product of several years of - you guessed it - research and development, consulting with Formula 1 racing drivers to create a timepiece designed around the requirements of the driver. In other words, the ultimate driver's watch.

The result is a chronograph whose push-buttons are inverted, as are their functions, for easier operation while driving. Its rotating internal bezel is inherently resistant to being knocked out of place like an external one. And the dials are styled after a car's dashboard gauges and the crown field after an F1 air intake. The design is sporty, but far more subdued than some of the more extroverted driver's watches we've featured on these webpages. And like all of Girard-Perregaux's timepieces, the movement is crafted entirely in-house, which, like the R&D's relatively subtle design, makes it an exception in a rapidly centralizing industry.

Gallery: Girard-Perregaux R&D 01

Girard-Perregaux R&D 01 stands as the quintessential driver's watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edox X-Treme Pilot III is specially designed for WRC drivers

Noah Joseph — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Edox X-Treme Pilot III - Click above for high-res image

Whereas in circuit racing, drivers are competing against each other wheel-to-wheel, in rallying it's all a race against the clock, and the driver with the fastest time wins. So it follows naturally that rally drivers need the right tool for the job, and this is it: the Edox X-Treme Pilot III.

Crafted by the official timekeeper of the World Rally Championship specifically for WRC drivers, the X-Treme Pilot III features such unique touches as oversize push-buttons that are easy to actuate even with gloves on and a tachometer scale around the dial. It's housed in a lightweight titanium case with a wheel motif embossed on the case-back, and affixed to the paddock's most talented wrists by a rubber strap with rally-spec tire tread pattern.

The Edox X-Treme Pilot III will go on sale in June with an €1,890 (~$2,750) MSRP in a limited edition of 1000 examples.

[Source: Watch Happening]

Edox X-Treme Pilot III is specially designed for WRC drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TAG Heuer makes a watch worthy of the McLaren MP4-12C

Noah Joseph — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., MISC

TAG Heuer Carrera MP4-12C - Click above for high-res images

Try to equate TAG Heuer with an automaker and you might come up with Porsche. After all, one of its most famous products is called the Carrera, and the legendary Steve McQueen wore one on film while piloting his Heuer-sponsored Porsche 917 around the Circuit La Sarthe. But in reality, the Swiss watchmaker is much closer to McLaren.

Heuer took on the TAG name when Mansour Ojjeh acquired the watchmaker. His company, Techniques d'Avant Garde (TAG), built the Porsche turbo engines that powered McLaren's F1 cars through the mid 80s to back-to-back world championships. Today, TAG Heuer is part of the LVMH luxury products conglomorate, but Ojjeh's independent TAG company still owns part of McLaren. And now, following special watches made to accompany the McLaren F1 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the two have come back together for a timepiece to compliment the new MP4-12C supercar.

Based on the Carrera model, the MP4 edition features a carbon fiber dial with a large window to see the movement and a big orange zero where the 12 should be (to make it look more like a speedometer), is housed in a sandblasted titanium case and affixed to the wrist with a sweet perforated Alcantara strap. The orange detailing reflects McLaren's traditional color, and the 47-jewel Dubois Depraz Calibre 4900 fly-back chronograph movement features a perpetual calendar display. Only 1,000 examples will be made, and while you don't need to own a McLaren to buy one, it certainly couldn't hurt. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: TAG Heuer Carrera MP4-12C

[Source: TAG Heuer]

Continue reading TAG Heuer makes a watch worthy of the McLaren MP4-12C

TAG Heuer makes a watch worthy of the McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ralph Lauren designs a wristwatch to match his Bugatti Atlantic

Noah Joseph — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Bugatti, Design/Style

Ralph Lauren Sporting Watch - Click above for high-resolution images

There are plenty of watches out there that try to emulate one car or another, but it takes something truly unique to accompany a car like a Bugatti. For its part, Parmigiani Fleurier has had at it a couple of times with timepieces matched to Molsheim's latest, but to run with a car as coveted and prized as the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, really only one brand would be up to the task: Ralph Lauren.

Everyone from fashionistas to holiday shoppers know Ralph Lauren as a clothing label, but automotive enthusiasts like ourselves know him as the proud owner of one of the most delectable classic car collections the world has ever known. Once in a while, Mr. Lifshitz (as he's still known back in The Bronx) puts his two passions together to create something special. Last time it was a luggage collection inspired by Ferrari. This time it's a watch to go with his '38 Bugatti.

The latest in Lauren's Sporting Watch collection is styled after the interior of the Atlantic, with an elm burl wood ring emulating the car's dashboard, galvanized matte black dial with white Arabic numerals like the Bugatti's gauges, and visible screws around the case front recalling the rivets along the Atlantic's spine. The movement is crafted for Ralph Lauren by the Richemont group - the same company that makes Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai and IWC, to name just a few - and features a 45-hour power reserve.

All in all, one of the classier ways we've seen to wear your car on your wrist, but at $13,200, we'll try not to like it too much.

Gallery: Bugatti-inspired Sporting Watch from Ralph Lauren

[Source: Ralph Lauren Watches]

Ralph Lauren designs a wristwatch to match his Bugatti Atlantic originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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