Track Day: 5 Watches With A Need For Speed
When Chopard’s co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele introduced the very first Mille Miglia collection of the brand in 1988, he made the remark that “People say that lovers of fine cars also have a great weakness for fine timepieces and vice versa.” This seems to be indeed true and also hasn’t changed over the past three decades. No surprise that many watch brands celebrate this unique symbiosis with extraordinary watches! We check out five of our favorites!
Rolex Daytona
The Rolex Daytona was born on the racetrack. Even today is this groundbreaking chronograph still the watch of choice of many people professionally involved in the world of exclusive cars and high-speed racing. The Daytona has in many aspects became the benchmark for chronographs and (race)car related watches alike. That is also the reason why vintage versions keep dominating the auction results worldwide, and Rolex still offers quite a few versions of the watch in its current collection. For more information about the history of the Rolex Daytona read “Rolex Daytona: Legacy of a Beach Boy.”
Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Power Control
Since 1988 is Chopard official sponsor of the Mille Miglia, perhaps the most famous road race in the world. Ever since racing has taken a prominent role in the DNA of the brand. This probably also has a lot to do with its co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, who is often seen driving from their Geneva headquarters to the Manufacture in Fleurier in one of his vintage (race) cars. No wonder that Chopard is also the sponsor of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and dedicated a collection of watches to this remarkable event. The design is a bit bolder than the Mille Miglia collection, with colors highlighting the race atmosphere of yesteryear.
Breitling for Bentley GMT B04 S Carbon Body
Breitling’s alliance with Bentley has not only lead to the unique tourbillon clock in the new Bentley Bentayga but also a collection of bold watches. Among them the GMT B04 S, which pays tribute to Bentley’s accomplishments on race tracks around the world. The case is crafted from carbon using technology from the Formula 1. It is fitted with a dial made from woven carbon fibers, with red accents to amplify the sportive character of this watch. Chronograph and world timer in one, this Breitling is ready to take on any track worldwide you bring your Bentley to!
Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Unico Titanium
Ferrari is among the most mythical names in the car industry, and for the last five years, they have joined forces with Hublot to create some equally mythical watches. Based on the Big Bang, with Hublot’s manufacture Unico chronograph, they just released the latest model. It unites the high-tech atmosphere of any Ferrari with the Art of Fusion from Hublot. The result is a dynamic synergy that almost drives off your wrist!
Richard Mille RM 004 Split Seconds Chronograph
Many of the most prominent people in the Formula 1 wear a Richard Mille. Not because the brand sponsors them, but because the way Richard Mille constructs his watches is so similar to how they build a Formula 1 race car. The RM 004 Spilt Seconds Chronograph is a perfect example of this. Featuring a specially designed titanium column wheel as well as a split-seconds chronograph mechanism that virtually eliminated the chance of the initial jumping of the chronograph hands when you start it, make this watch really high tech. Not to mention track tested by Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa.
