Baume & Mercier Offers Clifton Club Burt Munro Tribute For Preorder
Baume & Mercier pays tribute to motorcycle racing legend, Burt Munro, with the Clifton Club, Burt Munro Tribute Limited Edition chronograph. The watch also serves as the first product to come from a partnership with the Indian Motorcycle Company, which is known for its high-performance motorcycles in the early- to mid-19th Century.
Munro set three records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, including an under-1,000 cc world record speed of 184.087 in 1967, which still stands. At the time Munro was 68 years old and was riding a 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle he personally modified over a 47-year period.
The watch—with chronograph, tachymeter and date functions—will be part of the Baume & Mercier offerings for SIHH 2018. However, the luxury watch brand is making the watch available on its website for preorder at a cost of $3,750. It is the first time in its history it is making a watch available before SIHH. This timepiece was officially unveiled November 7 at EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
The limited edition automatic chronograph has a number of details designed to commemorate the achievements of Munro. Immediately apparent is the large, yellow number 35, Munro’s lucky number, in the chronograph seconds counter. Next, the “Indian Red” color of the calfskin strap evokes the deep vermillion color identifiable with the Indian Motorcycle Company, and the color of the Munro Special. The dial is silver-colored with sandblasted and snailed finishes, meant to mimic the surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats where the record was set. The counterbalance of the red chronograph seconds hand is the recognizable Indian “I.” The indexes and the hour and minute hands are black rhodium-plated and riveted with Superluminova C1, green emission.
The 44mm round stainless steel case has a tachymeter scale on the bezel, with the record, 184 mph, highlighted on it. On the back is an engraving of the company’s Indian Headdress logo as well as the number of the limited edition.
The watch is powered by an automatic Valjoux 7750 movement with a 48-hour power reserve.
The Clifton Club Burt Munro Tribute is limited to 1,967 pieces, recalling the year that Munro set his iconic record.