We can’t think of a better reason for a first contribution to aBlogtoWatch than the launch of our first motor-sport inspired chronograph, the Geckota C-1 Racing Chronograph. As with everything Geckota, the new Seiko VK64 meca-quartz hybrid powered chrono pays respectful homage to classic vintage watches.
Spending just a couple of days with an Aston Martin is not enough. When it came time to hand over the key – an actual key that you use to turn on the ignition – to the beautiful Stratus White 2016 Aston Martin Vantage GTS, I felt like I’d only just begun to bond with the car.
The watch world is full of collaborations between watch brands and car manufacturers, sometimes to an eye-rolling degree. I have to say, however, that the partnership of Christoper Ward and Morgan Motor Company seems apt and actually quaint.
The Oris Williams Valtteri Bottas Limited Edition is currently at the top of the ladder when it comes to Swiss Oris’ “motorsport” watch collection. When checking it out at Baselworld 2016, it struck me that the racing-themed Oris timepieces might not get as much attention as they deserve.
The best conversation I had at SIHH 2017 was with American car legend Peter Brock. In my hand while we chatted was Baume & Mercier’s latest Shelby watch for 2017, which is more than just a cosmetic update of the outgoing models.
Yesterday, on January 29, 2017, the 55th edition of the Rolex 24 (aka 24 hours of Daytona) race took place, sponsored by, of course, Rolex. Part of what that means is that the winner get’s a special Rolex watch, so we were naturally interested to have a look at the watch itself.
At the mention of Richard Mille, classic cars don’t exactly spring to mind. The watches are all about advancement through the use of the best materials, so why would they be the driving force behind an event meant to celebrate the elegance of vintage machines?
Forty grams. That’s the total weight, including the strap, of the new Richard Mille RM 50-03 McLaren F1 watch. Ok, world’s lightest split-second chronograph with a tourbillon isn’t exactly an ultra-competitive category, but a mere 40 grams is still impressive.
Some watchmaker-and-carmaker collaborations are a great success; others fail miserably; most, of course, fall somewhere in the middle. Many of the variables, the partners obviously can’t control — timing and luck, for example — but others, they can govern and refine. The now five-year-strong Hublot and Ferrari alliance proves a success story to learn from.
Congrats to the very lucky winner of last month’s giveaway to attend the Formula E ePrix race in New York with TAG Heuer & aBlogtoWatch.