News • 14 Sep 2016
Success Formula: The Latest Motorsports-Inspired Pieces For The Singapore Grand Prix
Like clockwork, the Formula One night race is set to brighten up Singapore’s skies again – which makes this an opportune moment to take a gander at what the brands associated with the sport is up to.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
Despite being a global partner and official timepiece of Formula One since 2013, Rolex, in its typical conservative fashion, has so far resisted creating a watch associated with the sport. Its tribute to motorsport is named after an event it has supported for more than 50 years: the Daytona NASCAR race at the eponymous racetrack in Florida. This year’s model, the Cosmograph Daytona in Stainless Steel with Cerachrom Bezel, reference 116500 LN, harks back to the distinctive 1965 version with a black Plexiglas bezel. But unlike that piece, thanks to Cerachrom this watch will not fade from exposure to ultraviolet light and is extremely scratch-resistant.
Hublot Masterpiece MP-05 “LaFerrari” Sapphire
The partner to the Italian sports car maker that enters a team into F1 under the Scuderia Ferrari banner has released an update to the audacious MP-05 “LaFerrari”. This year’s version of the 2013 watch, which commemorates Ferrari’s first hybrid road car, comes in a transparent sapphire case. This bares all to those who behold, showing off its movement’s ultra-complex architecture with a tourbillon and 11 barrels that give rise to an astounding 50 days’ power reserve. The ambitious project took 18 months of development; the finished case middle itself is the result of 600 hours of work, machined from seven blocks of sapphire.
Richard Mille RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph
A mainstay in the Richard Mille catalogue since 2007, the well-loved RM 011 has been retired, replaced with this completely reworked model. At its heart is a new automatic RMAC3 calibre that enthrals, thanks to its markedly three-dimensional design. On the back, the variable-geometry rotor takes on a triangular shape, inspired by the spoilers on Formula One cars. But the effect is not merely for aesthetics: it is to allow for adjustments to the winding of the watch according to the wearer’s activity level.
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “74th Members’ Meeting at Goodwood”
Mercedes-Benz collaborator IWC has a trio of goodies for petrolheads. The most exclusive of the lot is the solid red-gold case Ingenieur chronograph that celebrates the latest edition of the legendary motorsport event in the south of England. Two classic car-related design cues: the tachymeter scale running around the outer edge akin to that of a dashboard, and a stunning brown calfskin strap in a diamond pattern that mimics upmarket upholstery. This model is limited to 74 pieces, but two other variants, “Rudolf Caracciola” in stainless steel and “W125” in titanium, are produced in a run of 750 each.
Tag Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Team Ref: CAZ1018.FC8213
While there are plenty of motorsports associations, Tag Heuer has the honour of being the first watchmaker to have its name included in the official title of an F1 team. To celebrate the launch of their 2016 car, the “Red Bull Racing – Tag Heuer RB12”, the Swiss manufacture has released a steel chronograph that appropriately reflects the DNA of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 collection. The dial and fabric strap features the team’s colours, midnight blue and red, and the back of the case is engraved with a chequered flag as well as the team logo. The quartz-powered watch is alternatively available with a steel bracelet.
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