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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 19, 2025

Ulysse Nardin Unveils Its Ultra-Exclusive Blast Free Whee...

Ulysse Nardin has long been one of those brands willing to push watchmaking into weird, wonderful territory, and the new Blast Free Wheel Marquetry Silicon Green feels like a natural continuation of that spirit. Limited to just 10 pieces for the U.S., it’s as much a work of art as a wristwatch. The dial is the first thing that grabs your attention, with hand-laid emerald green silicon, arranged in geometric patterns that catch light from all angles. It’s a nod to Silicon Valley and to the fact that silicon, once an experiment in horology, is now at the heart of Ulysse Nardin. Underneath the dial’s shimmer is the UN-176 caliber, a movement that looks as though it’s floating inside the case. The “free wheel” construction means most of the mechanics, including the flying tourbillon, are mounted on the dial side, almost defying gravity. It’s a complication that leaves you staring, trying to piece together how it all works. But beyond its stage presence, silicon really earns its keep here. It offers stability, precision, and a lot less servicing over time. Add in the constant-force escapement and a double barrel with seven days of reserve, and it’s hard not to be impressed by the technical mastery hiding beneath all the flash. The case feels like Ulysse Nardin at its most modern, 45mm of white gold shaped into sharp, architectural lines, capped by a sapphire box crystal that lets you peer in from nearly every angle. Despite its size, it’s surprisingly thin at 12.4mm and sits comfortably on the wrist, more wearable than you’d expect. In the end, with only 10 pieces reserved for the U.S., the Blast Free Wheel Marquetry Silicon Green is destined to be one of those rare watches collectors talk about more than they actually see. Source: Ulysse Nardin

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 14, 2025

Driven by Style: Must-Have Gear for Porsche Enthusiasts

Whether you have a 911 in the garage or hope to have one soon, these are our top picks to show your support for the brand.

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Shop These Must-Have Essentials For Every Mercedes-AMG Ow...

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F.P.Journe Le Restaurant François Paul Journe et Dominique Gauthier 1

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 01, 2023

F.P. Journe Opens Its New "F.P. Journe Le Restaurant" In ...

In the heart of Geneva, at 49 Rue du Rhône, a culinary chapter unfolds with the grand opening of "F.P.Journe Le Restaurant." This restuarant is an offshoot of an luxurious partnership between renowned chef Dominique Gauthier and horologist François-Paul Journe, bringing together the essence of Geneva's rich history and culture. Formerly known as "La Bavaria" and frequented by the League of Nations' elite since 1912, the restaurant has been a hub for politicians, journalists, and international stars. Listed as a heritage site in 2012, the restaurant's interior, featuring furniture and woodwork dating back to 1942, remains untouched. Where time meets taste, François-Paul Journe contributes a strong horological essence to the space. Technical drawings of watch movements cover the walls, tables bear the names of legendary watchmakers like Jost Bürgi and Christiaan Huygens, and menus pay homage to Journe's timepiece models. A 17th-century astronomical clock, signed "Giovanni Brugell Venetia," stands as a centerpiece in the retaurant. Dominique Gauthier, whose culinary journey began at 14 and soared to the peak of Swiss gastronomy, defines the restaurant's menu. His cuisine is an exotic blend of Mediterranean influences, sprinkled with bursts of Thai spices and citrus. Signature dishes like scampis in kadaïf and hare ravioli with truffles highlight the menu, complemented by a well-curated selection of fine wines. Gauthier's commitment to local producers ensures that only the finest regional ingredients are used. Led by assistant Morgane Quétineau-Demay and restaurant manager Pascal Brault, the 15-member staff includes chefs Maxime Mühlemann and Théo Cesarini, as well as head sommelier Bogdan Tand. Together, they contribute to the elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, making every guest feel like a host. View all luxury watches currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below. View All Luxury Watches For Sale Source: F.P. Journe

Couple Senator Excellence PC RG LB RGB 25cm

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 27, 2023

Glashütte Original Expands Its Senator Excellence Collect...

Glashütte Original adds four new exquisite watch models to its Senator Excellence collection, melding classic style with modern design and exceptional craftsmanship. The German luxury watchmakers at Glashütte Original are elevating the already iconic Senator Excellence line by unveiling four new timepiece variations. The Senator Excellence collection, renowned for its impeccable quality and innovative craftsmanship, just got even more irresistible for watch collectors and enthusiasts. Originating in 2016, the Senator Excellence range has earned its stellar reputation by setting the bar high for stability, precision, and aesthetic appeal. These handcrafted marvels are lifelong wrist companions that feature the perfect blend of performance and sophistication. Two of the new releases feature a Perpetual Calendar, a horological feat that only the industry’s best dare to tackle. The other two showcase a Panorama Date and Moon phase displays, embodying the pinnacle of horological luxury. Whether you opt for the satin-brushed/polished red gold or the stainless steel case, each variant is an example of exquisite design and engineering. Speaking of design, the new dials sport fine-grained surfaces, balancing perfectly with clearly arranged displays. The red gold versions boast a galvanic silver dial with ivory-colored accents, while the stainless steel ones capture attention with a galvanic grey dial and blue elements. The dials are further improved by applied indexes made of solid gold. Ticking inside these masterpieces are state-of-the-art versions of the renowned Calibre 36, offering at least 100 hours of power reserve and featuring an antimagnetic silicon balance spring. To top it off, these new models come with redesigned skeletonized rotors, showcasing the brand's signature Double-G logo and an oscillating mass in 21-carat gold. Available starting October 2023, these additions to the Senator Excellence family confirm that Glashütte Original continues to set the standard for high-end timepieces. View all luxury watches currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below. View All Luxury Watches For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Discovery (@dupontregistry_discovery) Source: Glashütte Original

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 06, 2023

Pharrell Williams Spotted Wearing The $1.888M Richard Mil...

With his on-going relationship with Richard Mille, Pharrell now owns one of the worlds' most exclusive watches. Recognized as a world-renowned fashion designer and style icon, Pharrell Williams also takes pride in collecting and wearing some of the most desirable luxury watches on the planet. Alongside sporting grail watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon, Pharrell holds a special place in his heart for Richard Mille. The friendship between the two first culminated in 2006 and quickly led to the creation of legendary models like the Richard Mille RM 52-05 Pharell Williams, which now trades on the secondary market well past the $3 million mark. Pharrell Williams continues to rock seven-figure Richard Mille watches after being spotted wearing the automotive-inspired RM UP-01 Ferrari during the photoshoot for his new "Carbon Pressure & Time" book release. Commemorating its rather recent partnership with Ferrari, Richard Mille developed the RM UP-01 Ferrari to be the world's thinnest mechanical watch. Taking the title from Bulgari's Octo Finissimo Ultra, the Richard Mille x Ferrari watch measures a mere 1.75mm in thickness. It features a 51mm case crafted completely from lightweight Grade 5 Titanium, beautifully displaying Ferrari’s prancing horse just below the open tourbillon. While twin-turbocharged V8 and naturally-aspirated V12 engines drive Ferrari models, the RM UP-01 Ferrari generates its power from a newly engineered in-house RMUP-01 manual-winding movement. With a retail price tag of $1.888 million, it's safe to say that Pharrell Williams now owns one of the rarest and most expensive Richard Mille watches ever created. View all luxury watches currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below. Shop All Luxury Watches For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by ??? ?? ? ??????? (@pharrell) Source: @pharrell Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 02, 2023

Audemars Piguet Introduces Two New Diamond-Studded Royal ...

Audemars Piguet releases two limited-edition 39 mm Royal Oaks with diamonds and yellow sapphires. Often in the luxury watch world, collectors and enthusiasts are drawn to overly extravagant examples that boast perfectly cut diamonds and gems. And while aftermarket pieces seem to diminish the value, factory-set versions add value and allure to the age-old tool for your wrist. Audemars Piguet's pursuit of ultra-luxury craftsmanship reaches new heights with the addition of two new limited-edition Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin models. Unveiled exclusively at Audemars Piguet boutiques, these models epitomize the intersection of high jewelry and haute horlogerie. The first piece, designed in 18-carat white gold, showcases 1,528 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 8.3 carats. Its look-alike in 18-carat yellow gold is fully set with brilliant-cut yellow sapphires amounting to around 10.4 carats. Each Royal Oak is powered by Audemars Piguet's most recent self-winding Calibre 7121 movement, which debuted in 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak collection. This sophisticated movement is impressively thin at just 3.2 mm and has been meticulously engineered for more power and increased precision. Adding a touch of luxury, the gold dials offer a balance of light and shade thanks to their 422 stones, further highlighted by the mirror-polished chamfers on the bezel, case, and bracelet links. Every gemstone has been carefully selected and cut to meet Audemars Piguet’s stringent criteria for purity, cut, and color, creating a "river" of seamless brilliance. Available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques, these Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin models are the perfect expression of artistry and innovation. View All Luxury Watches For Sale Source: Audemars Piguet

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 20, 2023

MB&F Reveals The Boutique-Exclusive LM Split Escapement E...

Adding to the LM Split Escapement lineup, this exclusive EVO Taipei Edition is sure to interest MB&F collectors. Operating as a small-scale independent watchmaker on a continuous rise, MB&F celebrates its success in the luxury watch world through collaborations with brands that recognized Max Büsser's passion project since the start. Today, MB&F is proud to unveil its all-new LM Split Escapement EVO Taipei Edition alongside its long-standing retail partner Swiss Prestige. The LM Split Escapement EVO Taipei defines the evolution of MB&F's Legacy Machine Collection, coinciding with the design transformation taking place a existing boutiques and new locations such as Singapore, Paris, and Beverly Hills. The newest release features a 44mm domed sapphire case crafted from Grade 5 Titanium, expertly sealed to ensure water resistance up to 80 meters. Where simplicity rules all, MB&F styles the dial of LM Split Escapement EVO Taipei on a black baseplate with three vibrant green subdials for an aesthetically pleasing look. Compared to the original LM Split Escapement, the EVO version rotates MB&F x Stephen McDonnell's movement an extra 30 degrees to change the symmetry of the watch. A sapphire backcase offers a secondary view of the movement in action, with commemorative engravings surrounding the outer case to signify MB&F's exclusive 20-piece release. Blending quality and comfort, MB&F fitted the LM Split Escapement EVO on an integrated black rubber strap with a titanium folding buckle. The new MB&F LM Split Escapement EVO Taipei Edition is now available exclusively at the Swiss Prestige boutique in Taipei. Shop all luxury watches currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below. Shop All Luxury Watches For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: MB&F