Style -- 7 hours ago
Words: Justin Hast
Words: Justin Hast
Watches have long transcended their primary role as a mere keeper of time. Let’s be honest, this aspect is, nowadays, often secondary to the sheer cool factor of owning a bit of superlative wrist armour, and few things bolster this kudos better than a tie-in with the automotive world, something that owes to that particular sphere’s on-the-edge spirit, risk factor and the mind-boggling engineering involved. With this in mind, here are five watches inspired by fine, fine automobiles and the speed and thrill that they bring about.
This remains the ultimate motorsport-inspired watch. And with a special edition released last year, in white-gold, and this year, in yellow-gold, the attention is high. Originally designed in 1963 for racing drivers to measure elapsed time and calculate average speed, this new edition pays homage to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and features the old-school Paul Newman-style sub-dials. Perhaps the hottest releases of recent times.
Famously worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans, the TAG Heuer Monaco is instantly recognisable – that square case could be nothing else! Introduced in 1969, it was one of the world’s earliest automatic chronographs, and it was innovative not only for its technology, but also for its design, challenging traditional norms and solidifying its place in motorsport history as a result.
Laurent Ferrier is an independent maker driven by a love of motorsport. A keen motor-racer during the 1970s, he participated in some of the most prestigious races of the day, including seven appearances at Le Mans, taking first place in the two-litre prototype category in 1977. Within the motor-racing circles, he became acquainted with François Servanin, an industrialist and racing driver himself, and their shared love for mechanics and speed cemented their friendship (in 1979, they came third in the overall rankings at Le Mans, at the wheel of a Porsche 935T). Eventually, they created their own independent watchmaking label, and the brand’s sports model, the aptly named Sport Auto, is the epitome of their mutual passion.
The Chopard Mille Miglia series celebrates the historical Italian car race, translating automotive innovation into horological craftsmanship. Since 1988, Chopard has been the official timekeeper of the event, and its watches are noted for their tyre-rubber straps and durability, and the dials often feature design cues from vintage-car dashboards.
This piece embodies the spirit of modern carmaking, with its avant-garde, envelope-pushing design. The SW-C3 is influenced by the world of supercars, as is seen in its sleek lines and cutting-edge materials (black carbon fibre is used for the case), and the main draw is that it doubles up as a key for your luxury four-wheeler, which, if nothing else, is the ultimate flex.
Want more watch content? Read our review of Omega’s latest Speedmaster 38 mm models…
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