Watches

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 22, 2026

H. Moser & Cie. Introduces a New Kind of Digital Watch

As independent watchmaking continues to trend among collectors and enthusiasts, the appeal goes beyond craftsmanship and small-batch production. It’s also about the freedom to experiment, push creative boundaries, and make watches without having to answer to anyone else. H. Moser does this especially well, building its reputation with playful designs and unexpected collaborations that have become genuine conversation pieces. That ability to dream up whatever it desires is what leads to creations like H. Moser’s latest reveal, an unconventional digital “smartwatch” with traditional watchmaking baked into its design. H. Moser’s take on a modern digital watch takes shape as the all-new Off-Grid. Rather than build another smartwatch packed with apps and notifications, Moser created a watch aimed squarely at people who already appreciate traditional horology. The 42.6mm Off-Grid uses a skeletonized dial to frame its digital display, while a small domed fumé dial above it brings some familiar Moser character to the futuristic design. Available in Blue and Black versions, the watch keeps the Streamliner’s clean case proportions and integrated rubber strap, bridging the gap between two opposite ends of the watch world. Underneath that unusual display is a D10 calibre developed with SEQUENT, giving the Off-Grid a surprisingly long 12-month power reserve when used solely for time display, or up to six months with combined functions. And this is where Moser’s approach gets interesting. Instead of trying to compete with a smartwatch on sheer functionality, the Off-Grid sticks to a more focused list of features, including GMT, a 1/100-second split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, perpetual moon phase, sunrise and sunset times, alarm, timer, and a small multilingual dictionary. The Off-Grid is limited to 1,000 pieces per model and is being offered through Moser boutiques and its website for $4,900 through October 5th, marking it as another unusual entry into the growing conversation around what a modern digital watch can actually be. Source: H. Moser & Cie.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 21, 2026

1-of-1 Cartier Cheich Sets Auction Record With $3.4 Million Sale

Cartier watches have always cemented themselves in haute horology history, but very few have a story quite like the Cheich. Sotheby’s just brought one of the rarest examples ever made to its Important Watches Hong Kong sale, where a one-of-one white gold Cartier Cheich sold for $3,413,124. That was well into record-setting territory for the brand, and it makes this particular watch the most expensive Cartier wristwatch ever sold at auction.The Cheich traces its roots back to the Paris-Dakar Rally and Cartier’s involvement with the event in the 1980s. Starting in 1983, Cartier created the Cartier Challenge, offering a wristwatch as a trophy to any racer who could win the grueling desert rally in consecutive years. Instead of going with a traditional trophy design, Cartier looked to the Tuareg people of the Sahara for inspiration. Their distinctive blue headscarves, known as cheichs, gave the watch its name and its instantly recognizable shape. Gaston Rahier, one of the era’s most successful motorcycle racers, became the first and only recipient after winning the 1984 and 1985 races. The Cartier Challenge ended after Paris-Dakar founder Thierry Sabine died in a helicopter accident in 1986.Only four Cheich watches were originally made during that period, which is part of what makes the watch so difficult to track down today. One was made for the men's competition and another for the women's, while a third was created for Sabine and has since disappeared. The fourth was intended for another winner who never came along. Rahier's original eventually surfaced at Sotheby's in 2022 and sold for more than €1 million, while two other examples remain in Cartier's archives. Then there is this one. Created in 2010 for longtime Cartier collector Giorgio Seragnoli, the white gold example was a special commission and is technically a fifth Cheich, marked No. 1 of 1.Measuring 38mm, the watch has an 18k white gold case, white dial, quartz movement and brown Cartier leather strap. Movement complexity was never really the point here. The appeal is the fact that this is a watch that was never meant to become a collection or a commercial model. It was made once, for one collector, based on one of Cartier's most unusual designs. That combination of motorsport history, Cartier provenance and extreme rarity is why the Cheich has become such a mysterious piece of watchmaking history. After decades of barely being seen, its $3.4 million Sotheby's result has finally put a number on just how much that history is worth. Source: Sotheby's

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 21, 2026

Girard-Perregaux and Williams F1 Team Debut New Laureato Watches

Watchmaking and Formula 1 have a lot more in common than just keeping track of lap times. Both demand precision engineering and plenty of work that most people never get to see. That shared mindset is at the heart of Girard-Perregaux’s new partnership with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team. The first two watches from the new Girard-Perregaux and Atlassian Williams F1 Team partnership arrive in the form of two familiar Laureato models. The Laureato Williams Edition 42mm and Laureato Chronograph Williams Edition 42mm both use the collection’s signature 42mm steel case, integrated bracelet, octagonal bezel and 100-meter water resistance. GALLERY-EMBED The standard Laureato Williams Edition takes the more understated approach with a time and date layout. Its blue Clous de Paris dial draws inspiration from the Williams FW48, the team’s 2026 Formula 1 car, while red accents reference the race car’s keyline. A Williams “W” sits at 12 o’clock, while the sapphire crystal caseback features a metallized Williams emblem. The Laureato’s mix of polished and satin-finished surfaces continues across the case and integrated bracelet, giving the watch the same iconic styling that has defined the collection since its introduction in 1975. GALLERY-EMBED For the Laureato Chronograph Williams Edition 42mm, the connection to motorsport is a little more obvious, being a sport-driven chronograph. The same blue dial and red details are joined by three chronograph counters framed by rhodium-plated rings, adding a more technical look to the 42mm case. The chronograph also gives the collaboration a practical connection to racing, bringing elapsed-time measurement into a watch designed around one of Formula 1’s most important elements, timing.Underneath the sapphire crystal casebacks, the two watches take different mechanical routes. The Laureato Williams Edition is powered by Girard-Perregaux’s GP1800 automatic movement, which contains 191 components and offers a 54-hour power reserve while displaying the hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The chronograph uses the GP3300, a 419-component automatic movement with a 46-hour power reserve. Both movements receive detailed finishing, including Côtes de Genève, circular graining, bevelling, mirror polishing and engraving. The all-new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Williams F1 collection is now available at authorized boutiques worldwide starting at $16,200. Source: Girard-Perregaux

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 16, 2026

Rolex Just Surprise-Revealed Its New Perpetual Padellone

With major watch weeks and industry events mapped out well in advance, collectors and enthusiasts usually have a pretty good idea of when to expect the newest releases from the industry’s biggest names. Rolex just flipped the script with the surprise reveal of its latest creation, the new Perpetual Padellone collection.For collectors, the name Padellone carries some history. Rolex’s original reference 8171 from the 1950s earned the nickname for its large case and complete calendar, making the return of that name an homage to vintage Rolex collecting. The new Perpetual Padellone takes that idea in a very different direction, combining a complete annual calendar with a moonphase and the modern Rolex technology it deserves. It connects the brand’s past with the way today’s collectors look at more complicated Rolex models.The new Rolex Perpetual Padellone measures 39mm and is offered in 18ct Everose gold or 950 platinum. Its domed and fluted bezel gives the case a familiar Rolex look, while the transparent caseback puts the new calibre 7190 on center stage for all to see. On the front, the dial uses a grained finish with a satin-finished outer edge, a blue central date hand, and two apertures at 12 o’clock for the day and month. At 6 o’clock, a blue enamel moonphase disc tracks the lunar cycle, with meteorite used for the full and new moon details. You can also pair the Everose gold model with a Settimo bracelet or brown alligator strap, while the platinum version comes on black alligator leather.Rolex’s new calibre 7190 powers the watch, an automatic movement developed specifically for the Perpetual Padellone. Its Haplos system allows the annual calendar to account for 30- and 31-day months, while the date, day and month change simultaneously at midnight. Through the sapphire caseback, collectors can see Rolex Côtes de Genève on the bridges and a cut-out yellow gold oscillating weight. With calendar functionality, moonphase display, and a modern movement, the Perpetual Padellone gives Rolex collectors a new watch to dream about. The all-new Rolex Perpetual Padellone collection is now available at authorized boutiques worldwide starting at $59,000. Source: Rolex

By Jordan Aquistapace –

F.P. Journe Unveils a One-Off Chronograph for a Good Cause

The watch world is constantly changing and evolving, but over the past decade or so, the industry and collectors have shifted their focus away from traditional big-name brands, shedding light on the beauty and craftsmanship of smaller independent watchmakers. F.P. Journe is one of the best examples of this evolution, going from a brand where anyone could walk into a boutique and buy a watch, sometimes even at a discount, to a collector powerhouse with waitlists that can stretch for years. And while secondary-market values continue to soar, with buyers willing to pay seven figures for rare one-off pieces, it will never determine the direction of the brand, its processes, or qualities. F.P. Journe is proud to stick to its longstanding traditions with the reveal of a very special piece unique chronograph created to benefit the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.What makes this F.P. Journe even more interesting is that it marks the first time François-Paul Journe has created a traditional chronograph. The watch takes a much more traditional approach than the brand's Rattrapante, FlyBack and Centigraphe chronographs, with a central chronograph hand, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and small seconds at 9 o'clock. There’s also a large date at 6 o'clock and a tachymeter scale around the burgundy lacquered dial. The 42mm case combines platinum with 18K 6N Gold on the caseband, crown and pushers, while the dial features grey sapphire sub-dials, titanium surrounds and numerals inspired by oracle bones, an early form of Chinese writing. The caseback showcases the engraving "Fondation Albert II - 2026," tying the one-off chronograph directly to its purpose.F.P. Journe has supported the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation since 2018, and this watch was created specifically to raise money for the organization. The foundation, established by Prince Albert II in 2006, focuses on environmental issues including climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, water resources, and desertification. The F.P. Journe Chronographe Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco will be auctioned off through Phillips on November 25th, during the "Voyage Extraordinaire" gala dinner at Raffles Sentosa Singapore. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the foundation. For collectors, it being a one-off F.P. Journe, a first-of-its-kind chronograph design, and a charitable cause should make this one to watch when it reaches the auction block.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 03, 2026

Four One-of-One Rolex Daytonas for a One-of-a-Kind Auction

When Rolex gets involved in a charity auction, collectors know to expect something special, but the newly announced ‘Four Seasons’ sale takes that idea to another level. Dreamed up alongside Rolex Testimonees Roger Federer and Leonardo DiCaprio, the upcoming auction showcases four one-off Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytonas, each inspired by one of the four seasons. Each watch is a work of art in itself, pairing precious metals with colorful natural stones, gemstones, and diamond-set details. Scheduled for September 28th in London in partnership with PHILLIPS, the auction will also put the spotlight on two causes that are particularly important to Federer and DiCaprio.The Four Seasons auction is ultimately about where the money goes. Federer’s foundation, established in 2003, works to give children in Southern Africa and Switzerland greater access to education and opportunities to learn, play, and thrive. DiCaprio helped launch Re:wild, an organization focused on protecting and restoring the natural world alongside Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and conservation organizations. With all proceeds from the Rolex Four Seasons sale benefiting the two foundations, these four incredibly rare watches represent huge contributions toward education and environmental conservation.Spring is represented by an 18ct white gold Rolex Daytona with a chrysoprase dial, lepidolite counters, and a bezel set with 36 purple sapphires. Summer turns up the heat with an 18ct Everose gold case, turquoise dial, heart-of-ruby counters, and pink sapphire bezel. Autumn takes a different direction with 18ct yellow gold, a mookaite dial, chrysoprase counters, and green tourmalines around the bezel. Then there’s Winter, in 950 platinum, paired with a blue opal dial, lapis lazuli counters, and a blue-to-fuchsia sapphire gradient bezel. All four also feature diamond-set lugs and crown guards, along with gemstone or diamond hour markers matching their color palettes.The Daytona has long been tied to motorsports and driving, but these variations take the desirable chronograph to a whole new artistic realm. With only four examples being offered, the Rolex Four Seasons auction is naturally going to attract plenty of attention when they take the stage in London. For collectors, however, the bigger story may be that these are watches with a purpose beyond rarity, combining celebrity collaboration and philanthropy into four one-of-one watches. Source: Rolex

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 03, 2026

H. Moser x Alpine Motorsport’s New Streamliner Is Built for the F1 Paddock

While watches have served all walks of life, from GMTs built for jet-setters to dive watches for nautical adventures, they’ve also shared a deep-rooted connection with motorsports, linking time and precision to the excitement of racing. Nobody understands this more than the watchmakers at H. Moser & Cie., who’ve proudly celebrated their fuel-driven partnership with Alpine Motorsports since 2024. Rather than simply stamping a logo on the dial and calling it a collaboration, the two brands combined their expertise, technical requirements, and vision to create purposeful pieces built for life in the paddock. That story continues, as H. Moser recently revealed the Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton Ceramic Alpine Limited Edition during Geneva Watch Days. For the third watch to emerge from the H. Moser & Cie. and Alpine Motorsports partnership, the focus shifts from traditional precious metals to a 40mm anthracite grey ceramic case, giving the watch a distinct look that feels right at home alongside an Alpine Formula 1 car. Ceramic also makes plenty of sense, being lightweight and highly scratch-resistant, maintaining its appearance over time. A blue integrated Alcantara strap completes the motorsport-inspired look without going overboard.Flip the watch over, and the skeletonized HMC 814 movement takes center stage behind a sapphire crystal caseback. With nothing hiding the mechanics, the blue-finished bridges and main plate contrast against the anthracite ceramic, while the openworked barrel showcases the craftsmanship of H. Moser’s watchmakers. Even the hour markers and three-dimensional hands bring something different to the table, using Globolight with Super-LumiNova for easy nighttime legibility. It is a familiar Moser approach of stripping away the unnecessary and letting the movement do most of the talking.Then there’s the part that makes this much more than just another skeletonized luxury watch. Sitting prominently at 6 o’clock is a one-minute flying double hairspring tourbillon, developed and produced in-house by Precision Engineering AG. The double hairspring is designed to compensate for changes in the center of gravity as the springs expand and contract, helping improve precision. Beneath the motorsport-inspired styling is serious mechanical engineering, bringing together ceramic, openworked architecture, and expert-level Swiss watchmaking in a series limited to just 50 pieces. Source: H. Moser & Cie.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 02, 2026

Zenith Reveals The New Chronomaster Solo Sport Collection

While some watchmakers are known for specific models, whether it’s a race-ready chronograph or an ultra-complex worldtimer, others have built their reputations around the movements that power them, engineered completely from scratch and designed to stand the test of time for generations. That’s exactly the case for Zenith and its coveted El Primero movement, introduced in 1969 as the world’s first automatic integrated high-frequency chronograph caliber. Announced today as part of Geneva Watch Days, Zenith is continuing to evolve the El Primero lineage and the Chronomaster lineup with the all-new Chronomaster Solo Sport collection.For the first time, Zenith is taking the El Primero out of its traditional chronograph role and giving it a simpler, three-hand format. The idea is pretty straightforward: create a watch that can be worn just about anywhere while retaining the high-frequency character that has made El Primero so famous among collectors and enthusiasts. With its 40mm stainless steel case, ceramic unidirectional bezel, and 20 ATM water resistance, the Chronomaster Solo Sport is an easy fit for everyday wear rather than a safe-destined watch designed around one particular occasion.The dial is where Zenith gives the Solo Sport its own identity. Available in white, black, and brown ceramic, the surface features a repeating 45-degree Z motif inspired by the rhythm and vibration of the movement beneath it. The pattern is joined by a segmented “shark tooth” minute track and matching seconds-hand counterweight, created as a connection to the El Primero family without adopting from its past. Inside, the El Primero 3620 automatic manufacture calibre is derived from the El Primero 3600 chronograph movement, operating at 5Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour, with a 60-hour power reserve.Completing the package is a three-link stainless steel bracelet fitted with Zenith’s ZENCLASP folding clasp, which features tool-free micro-adjustment for an even more precise fit. The Chronomaster Solo Sport is offered in black, white, and brown configurations with hours, minutes, seconds, and date displays, while the black model is also available without a date for those who prefer a cleaner dial. Now available through authorized boutiques worldwide, the new Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport collection starts at $9,800. Source: Zenith Watches

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 02, 2026

Girard-Perregaux Debuts The New Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Collection

As Geneva Watch Days gets into full swing, the biggest names in haute horology are revealing their latest creations, offering collectors and enthusiasts a forward-looking glimpse at what’s next in watchmaking. For Girard-Perregaux, this year’s focus remains on highlighting its 235 years of watchmaking expertise while evolving a cult classic with one of the industry’s most beloved complications. Enter the new Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro-Rotor 39mm, a watch that takes the legendary Laureato and adds considerably more mechanical ingenuity without losing the collection’s recognizable character.At 39mm and just 10mm thick, the new Laureato Fifty manages to pack an impressive amount of watchmaking into a relatively restrained package. The headline feature is the brand-new Calibre GP8410, an automatic tourbillon movement with a platinum and pink-gold micro-rotor. The in-house movement delivers a 72-hour power reserve and can be viewed in full through the sapphire caseback. The tourbillon sits beneath a Grand Feu enamel dial, with Girard-Perregaux’s signature lyre-shaped cage.The dial features a Clous de Paris pattern that houses two large white-gold bridges on the movement. Those bridges also draw from Girard-Perregaux’s long-running design DNA, dating back to the famous arrow-shaped Bridges introduced by Constant Girard in 1867. For those who prefer something warmer, the Laureato Fifty Tourbillon is also offered with an 18K solid-gold rose-toned dial. Both versions retain the octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, and a sporty-elegant size that have made the Girard-Perregaux Laureato such an icon since 1975.This also isn't an attempt to reinvent the Laureato. Instead, Girard-Perregaux is taking a celebrated design and pushing it mechanically, combining a tourbillon, micro-rotor and extensive hand-finishing within its familiar styling. It also make its debut during an especially busy time for the brand, following three other new movements introduced over the past year. Now available through authorized boutiques worldwide, the all-new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro-Rotor 39mm Collection starts at $95,600. Source: Girard-Perregaux

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 01, 2026

TAG Heuer Monza Returns With a 50th Anniversary Racing Edition

If there’s one TAG Heuer watch that feels like it belongs at the track, it’s the Monza. Born from the brand’s early relationship with Ferrari and introduced in 1976 to celebrate Niki Lauda’s Formula 1 World Championship, the Monza has spent the past five decades carving out its own identity among racing watches. Now, with the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia returning to Monza, TAG Heuer is marking the occasion with a new TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph limited to just 500 numbered pieces.The original Monza’s bold, racing-inspired design helped make it one of Heuer’s most recognizable chronographs, and this 50th-anniversary edition carries that legacy into the modern era. The 42mm cushion-shaped case is crafted from forged carbon, giving the watch the lightweight, high-performance material you’d expect in a race car. The marbled finish also means no two watches are exactly the same. Against it, the matte black dial, red accents, white Super-LumiNova hands and black chronograph counters create a style that nods directly back to the 1976 Heuer Monza without just re-releasing it. Underneath all that vintage-inspired character is where the watch really shows how far the Monza has come. The TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph is powered by the COSC-certified in-house Calibre TH20-12 movement, complete with a flyback function that allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted by a single push. It’s a complication that makes perfect sense in a watch with motorsport in its DNA. The dial also features a tachymeter and pulsometer scale, while the angled date window at 9 o’clock retains the distinctive design introduced with the modern Monza. The finishing touches keep the racing theme going. A perforated black calfskin strap with contrasting red stitching gives the watch a classic motorsport feel, while the sapphire case back offers a closer look at the movement inside. Fifty years after the first Monza arrived on track, this limited-edition TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph is most certainly a fitting continuation of the story, part vintage racing tribute, part modern mechanical chronograph. The new, limited-edition TAG Heuer Monza is now available through authorized boutiques worldwide for $13,400. Source: TAG Heuer

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