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 –

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

By Sponsored Article – August 31, 2026

Vesta: The Return of a Founding Idea

In 1982, Riccardo Zannetti created his first unique watch, expressing a vision of watchmaking in which mechanical precision and decorative art could become one. Today, that original gesture returns through Vesta. This is not a nostalgic revival, but a declaration of continuity. Vesta reinterprets the creative origins of Zannetti through a contemporary watch distinguished by its architectural form, rich surfaces and unmistakable Roman identity. GALLERY-EMBED Its titanium case is engraved with motifs inspired by ancient Rome and enriched with polychrome enamels. Every line, relief and colour is created to interact with light, transforming the case into a sculptural surface. The mother-of-pearl dial, completed by an enamelled inner section, Zannetti indexes and distinctive hands, introduces a luminous contrast between classical references and contemporary design. Inside, a Swiss automatic movement makes Vesta suitable for everyday wear while remaining deeply connected to traditional watchmaking. The name evokes the Temple of Vesta and the sacred flame: a symbol of continuity, identity and values preserved through time. Zannetti is Rome’s only independent Haute Horlogerie atelier and one of the very few in Italy. Every creation includes a tangible element of hand-craftsmanship and is produced in very small limited series or as a unique piece. Vesta does not look back to repeat the past. It looks back to recognize its origins and to transform memory into matter, colour and time. Follow On Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 28, 2026

OMEGA Makes the Case for Going Smaller With Seven New Speedmasters

The watch world, like any other corner of luxury, is susceptible to trends, and case sizes can be just as volatile as the stock market. What’s considered too small one year can suddenly become the perfect size the next. Of course, you should always wear what you like and what fits you best, but watchmakers are clearly leaning into smaller cases again. Omega is following suit with the launch of its newest collection, featuring seven updated Speedmaster references, all housed in a newly designed 38mm case. The biggest update is the move from oval to rounded subdials, which brings the dial layout closer to the classic Speedmaster Moonwatch. GALLERY-EMBED OMEGA has also stripped back some of the dial text, giving the watches a cleaner appearance, while the thicker bezels now feature the Dot-Over-Ninety detail that collectors will immediately recognize. All seven references are fitted to five-link, Moonwatch-style bracelets, with polished and brushed finishes used across the different configurations. The stainless steel lineup includes a black-dial version with a black aluminum bezel that comes closest to the traditional Moonwatch aesthetic, along with white and silvery dial options accented with shades of blue, brown, and Sedna Gold. GALLERY-EMBED The two-tone models take things in a dressier direction, pairing stainless steel with either 18K Moonshine Gold or 18K Sedna Gold, while the familiar “cappuccino” combination returns with an ivory dial and brown subdials. The lineup even includes two diamond-set references, featuring 52 diamonds totaling 1.53 carats, with either an ice blue PVD dial or white mother-of-pearl. Underneath the dial, OMEGA is sticking with its Co-Axial architecture, using two self-winding movements across the collection. The six date-equipped references are powered by the Co-Axial Calibre 3330, while the black-dial model without a date gets the Calibre 3332. The smaller case size is really the main focus here, especially as interest in more wearable, compact watches continues to grow across the luxury watch market. Instead of just shrinking down the Moonwatch, OMEGA has continued to let the Speedmaster 38mm form its own identity while borrowing some of the details that made the original Speedmaster such an icon. The all-new OMEGA Speedmaster 38mm collection is now available at authorized boutiques worldwide starting at $6,500. Source: OMEGA Watches

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 27, 2026

IWC Unveils New Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Watch

In Formula One racing, strategy, consistency, and confidence are all key ingredients for success. But it also goes without saying that surrounding yourself with fellow powerhouses and like-minded individuals can only strengthen the recipe for winning. And while wearing a luxury watch may not shed sub-seconds off a lap time, support and access to technology and resources prove just as important for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS and its ongoing 13-year partnership with the watchmakers at IWC Schaffhausen. Just ahead of the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, IWC is bringing some excitement to the paddock this weekend with the reveal of its all-new Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes- AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team watch. For its fourth collaboration with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, IWC took a slightly different approach to its familiar motorsport-inspired chronograph. Instead of using the team's signature PETRONAS green, the new Pilot’s Watch features a deep purple dial inspired by Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid. Green numerals, indices, and luminous hands tie in that familiar team connection, while a matching purple rubber strap keeps it monochromatic. Measuring 41mm, the case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, which makes plenty of sense for a watch tied so closely to Formula One engineering. Lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion and heat, titanium is also used throughout F1 cars and in the Halo safety structure surrounding the driver.Behind the Singapore-inspired design is IWC's in-house 69385 caliber, a mechanical chronograph built around a column-wheel system and designed with durability. Its vertical subdial layout places the stop-minute display at 12 o’clock, while a day-date window at 3 o’clock adds some everyday practicality. The movement delivers a 46-hour power reserve and can be viewed through a sapphire-glass case back, revealing Geneva stripes and circular graining. Like earlier models, the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 will be worn by team members, engineers, mechanics, and staff, giving the latest collaboration a purpose that goes beyond simply putting a Formula One logo on a watch. It is another example of how IWC and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS continue to turn their shared focus on engineering, performance, and precision into something enthusiasts and racers can actually wear. Source: IWC Schaffhasuen

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 26, 2026

URWERK Reveals Its One-Off UR-1001 Amadeus Titanium Pocket Watch

The evolution of independent watchmaking over the past 40 years has truly been one for the history books, with a market shift that has allowed micro brands to operate and compete in the same space alongside industry giants like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. Launched less than 30 years ago, URWERK stands as one of the creative, independent visionaries found in the same realm as pioneers with centuries of expertise in the art of watchmaking. The brand was founded on a shared passion for dreaming up new ways to express time, and since then, their futuristic, space-inspired watches have caught the attention of collectors like Michael Jordan, Robert Downey Jr., and Ralph Lauren. URWERK is showcasing its creativity and limitless boundaries with the reveal of its newest one-off pocket watch, the UR-1001 Amadeus. Dreamed up as part of URWERK’s ‘Special Projects’ collection, the UR-1001 Amadeus takes the brand’s fascination with unconventional time displays and stretches it across an almost unimaginable scale. On the front, URWERK’s signature satellite hours and retrograde minutes are joined by an orbital annual calendar, a day/night indicator, and a 39-hour power reserve. Flip it over, and everything gets even more interesting. An “Oil Change” indicator tracks service intervals, while additional counters record five-year increments, centuries, and ultimately a millennium. Instead of piling complication upon complication into a single movement, the UR-1001 Amadeus approaches time as one interconnected mechanical system, capable of displaying everything from the seconds passing to milestones no one could ever realistically experience.What makes this extraordinary URWERK pocket watch even more fascinating is that its movement isn't the only thing designed to make a statement. The raw titanium case was handed to engraver Florian Güllert, who spent nearly 500 hours transforming it into an elaborate, Baroque-inspired work of art. Laser-cutting prepared the difficult titanium surface, but the final result came through painstaking hand engraving, filing, texturing, and finishing that gives the metal an almost sculptural quality. For collectors of independent watches, haute horlogerie, and one-off timepieces, the UR-1001 Amadeus is a reminder that the most exciting side of modern watchmaking is still willing to ask a simple question: what if measuring time didn't have to look anything like a watch at all?

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