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 – August 26, 2026

TIME at Wynn: Where the World of Watches Meets the World of Collecting

Few things can turn a something into an obsession quite like a great car or a great watch. Both are built around craftsmanship, engineering, design, and an almost obsessive attention to the details that most people might never notice. A beautifully finished movement and a perfectly engineered engine can inspire the same kind of interest, whether you're studying the mechanics of an F.P. Journe Résonance or listening to the sound of a vintage Ferrari V12. But the connection runs deeper than what is under the hood or behind the caseback. For many collectors, a love for cars and watches starts at home, sparked by a parent or grandparent and eventually passed down to the next generation. Those early memories become the stories, objects, and experiences that keep a passion for collecting alive, creating a cycle that continues long after the original owner is gone. That shared appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and the stories we attach to the things we collect was on full display at the inaugural TIME at Wynn in Las Vegas this weekend, where some of the world's most respected watchmakers and collectors came together to celebrate the art of watchmaking. GALLERY-EMBED From the moment you walked in, TIME at Wynn felt more like a gathering of collectors than a traditional watch show. Conversations seemed to start everywhere, with people moving from one table to the next, comparing watches, swapping stories, and stopping to catch up with friends and familiar faces from the industry. The setting helped, too. Wynn provided the kind of relaxed, polished backdrop where you could spend an afternoon looking at a rare watch and then find yourself talking about cars, jewelry, travel, or the next piece on someone's wish list. With support from duPont REGISTRY, Caliber Collective, F.P. Journe, URWERK, MB&F, Breguet, H. Moser & Cie., Girard-Perregaux, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, TE Paris, Pattern Recognition, and Alex Crown, the weekend brought together different corners of the collector community, finding similarities and deeper connections between the luxury worlds. And with the Wynn Concours coming up this November, that crossover between watches and cars already feels like a natural part of what's taking shape at the resort. GALLERY-EMBED Walking through the Mouton Ballroom, it was hard not to stop every few feet. F.P. Journe, H. Moser & Cie., MB&F, URWERK, Pattern Recognition, Biver, and Hazemann & Monnin had brought an incredible mix of independent watchmaking into one room, from familiar collector favorites to pieces that felt like they belonged in a different dimension altogether. What made it especially enjoyable was how easy it was to slow down and actually talk. Collectors could spend time with the watches, ask questions, and hear directly from the people behind the brands without feeling rushed from one presentation to the next. The same went for the panel discussions, with Yoni Ben-Yehuda moderating conversations with Pierre Halimi of F.P. Journe, Michael Friedman of Pattern Recognition, and Alexandre Hazemann and Victor Monnin of Hazemann & Monnin. Rather than sticking to the usual polished talking points, the group went straight after the subjects collectors really want to hear about, from allocations and the secondary market to the challenges facing independent watchmakers and where the industry goes next. With the people actually shaping that future answering questions in the room, the conversations felt honest, sometimes unexpected, and genuinely entertaining.While much of the conversation at TIME at Wynn centered on watches, Enzo Mattioli Ferrari offered one of the clearest connections to the automotive world, speaking about the same ideas of rarity, legacy, craftsmanship, and collectibility that surround Ferrari's most coveted cars. The mechanical connection runs deep, too. Take an F.P. Journe Caliber 1619, with its 758 individual components working together behind the caseback, and compare that with the hand-crafted 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 that has become such a defining part of Ferrari's identity. One is built to measure time with incredible precision, while the other turns fuel and air into something you can hear, feel, and experience from behind the wheel. Yet both come down to the same thing: countless individual parts, assembled with an incredible amount of thought and craftsmanship, all working together as one. That is where the connection between watches and cars gets really interesting. Behind the wheel or behind the caseback, there is a tangible experience that connects us to the machines themselves and to the visionaries who imagined them in the first place. For collectors, preserving that feeling is part of the appeal. These aren't simply objects that mark a moment in time; they are ways of holding onto it. GALLERY-EMBED By the time the evening rolled around, the watches were still very much the center of attention, but the mood had loosened considerably. Over cocktails and food from Wynn's culinary team, collectors gathered around the Intrigue Lounge for A Toast to Time, with plenty of time to show off the pieces they had brought with them and talk about the stories behind them. From URWERK creations that looked like they came straight from another planet to some of the most historically significant F.P. Journe models, and plenty in between, the room was filled with watches you don't come across every day. But it was the conversations happening around those watches that really made the night memorable. Collectors compared notes, shared stories, and discovered plenty of common ground, whether they had known each other for years or had just met that evening. That same curiosity carried into more panel discussions, with URWERK co-founder Martin Frei exploring what a watch can represent beyond simply keeping time, followed by a conversation with Jean-Marc Bories of MB&F and Claudio Terjanian of H. Moser & Cie. on innovation, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of modern watchmaking. GALLERY-EMBED The same easygoing atmosphere carried into Timeless Icons, where the focus shifted toward heritage watchmaking and fine jewelry without losing that sense of discovery. Breguet, Girard-Perregaux, Tiffany & Co., Alex Crown, and Emmanuel Tarpin brought a different side of the collector world into the room, with plenty of opportunities to get close to the pieces and hear the stories behind them. Vincent Brasesco of Breguet offered insight into the maison's history and technical expertise, while a collectors' conversation with Patrick Brennan, Sandeep Chugani, and Justin Blau opened up a more personal discussion about why people collect in the first place and what keeps them searching for the next piece. Emmanuel Tarpin and Tiffany & Co.'s Bill Rhodes explored the creativity behind high jewelry, while Girard-Perregaux's Ruggero Mango touched on complications and the brand's long relationship with automotive marques and motorsport teams. Away from the ballroom, private appointments at the North Fairway Villas gave collectors an even closer look at pieces from Urwerk, Breguet, MB&F, and Girard-Perregaux, before everyone eventually came back together over cocktails at Tableau. GALLERY-EMBED Cars, Clocks, and Coffee was a natural fit for duPont REGISTRY and one of the weekend's most relevant conversations for the collector community. Cristina Cheever, CMO of duPont REGISTRY Group, first sat down with Nicholas Ryan, Head of Private Office at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, for a conversation around the return of coachbuilding, the growing demand for bespoke craftsmanship, and where automotive customization is headed. She then shifted the conversation toward the relationship between cars and watches, speaking with Antoine Tessier, CEO of duPont REGISTRY Group, and Sandeep Chugani, Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group and duPont REGISTRY Group board member, about the collector culture shared by both worlds. It was a pretty natural conversation for duPont REGISTRY at TIME at Wynn, as our community has always gone well beyond exotic cars, extending into fine watches, private experiences, art, design, and all of the other passions that tend to come with collecting. TIME at Wynn brought those worlds together in one place, and this was a good example of why that overlap makes so much sense. GALLERY-EMBED By the time the weekend wrapped up over breakfast, one statement Patrick Brennan made earlier still felt especially relevant: as collectors and enthusiasts, we seem to be living through a golden age of watchmaking. Creativity and innovation feel almost limitless, particularly among the independent watchmakers who are pursuing ambitious ideas and turning them into wearable art. Just as importantly, this is a moment when collectors can ask questions and learn directly from the people behind the watches, the minds and hands responsible for bringing them to life. That access has helped create an experience that extends far beyond the boutique, whether it means turning a trip to Geneva to pick up a watch into a family vacation, stepping behind the scenes into the design studios and workshops, or simply hearing the story directly from the person who created it. In many ways, that is what makes collecting so meaningful. These watches are designed to outlive the original buyer, becoming family heirlooms with stories attached to them and, hopefully, sparking the same passion in the next generation. TIME at Wynn captured a little of that spirit, bringing collectors and creators together around the shared idea that the object itself is only part of the story, and sometimes the people, conversations, and experiences surrounding it are what give it lasting meaning.

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 19, 2026

Girard-Perregaux and Williams F1 Announce their New Partnership

Formula 1 partnerships tend to focus on the obvious stuff, like logos, hospitality, limited-edition watches and plenty of time in the paddock. Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux and Atlassian Williams F1 Team are taking a slightly different route with their new partnership announcement. There’s no need to force a connection between the two, either, as both brands pride themselves on learning how to make complicated things work better every day. Instead of just putting two recognizable names together, the partnership is built around what happens behind the scenes before anyone sees the finished product. That makes the connection between watches and Formula 1 pretty easy to understand. A mechanical watch can look simple at first glance, but getting everything inside the case to work precisely requires countless hours of R&D, improvements, and testing. The same goes for an F1 car. A race weekend might be defined by qualifying positions and lap times, but those results are shaped by thousands of decisions made long before the car rolls onto the grid. Engineers, mechanics, drivers and countless members of the team are constantly analyzing data, making changes and repeating the process. The human side is where this partnership gets more interesting. Girard-Perregaux and Williams recognize that technology is only part of the equation. That idea is especially relevant in mechanical watchmaking, where traditional skills are passed from one generation of watchmakers to the next, and in motorsport, where years of experience can make the difference when something needs to be solved quickly. Girard-Perregaux has a long history in Swiss watchmaking, while Williams brings decades of Formula 1 experience, and both operate in industries where performance depends on consistency and attention to detail. There will be opportunities for watches, paddock appearances, and other activations as part of the collaboration, but the more interesting story may be what happens away from the spotlight. Whether it is a watchmaker refining a movement or a Williams engineer searching for another fraction of a second, the goal is essentially the same: do the work properly, keep learning, and let the finished result speak for itself. Source: Girard-Perregaux

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 18, 2026

Bulova Honors the Shelby Daytona Coupe With a Limited-Edition Chronograph

While the Cobra remains the best-known expression of Carroll Shelby's vision for building world-class sports cars, the Shelby Daytona Coupe represents his relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack. Created to take on Ferrari in the GT class of the FIA World Sportscar Championship, the Daytona helped Shelby American make motorsport history. More than 60 years later, with only six original examples ever built, the Daytona Coupe remains one of the most coveted collector cars ever produced. Inspired by the 50th Anniversary Aluminum Edition Daytona Coupe, Bulova and Carroll Shelby Licensing have once again partnered to introduce the limited-edition SHELBY® Racer Chronograph.A 40.5mm polished stainless steel case houses a mirror-finished silver dial inspired by the aluminum bodywork of the 50th Anniversary Daytona Coupe, while the chronograph subdials take their styling cues from the car's original gauge cluster. A split-finish stainless steel bracelet subtly references the Coupe's dual racing stripes. For a more vintage feel, Bulova also includes a padded brown leather strap that's easy to swap. Inside, the watch is powered by Bulova's quartz movement. Around back, a commemorative caseback features Bulova and Shelby Daytona Coupe branding under a glass insert, as a reminder of the partnership and the car that inspired it. Each watch comes in a special Shelby presentation box alongside a 1:24-scale silver-plated Shelby Racer model and the additional leather strap. Limited to commemorate an automotive icon, the SHELBY® Racer Chronograph is now available through authorized Bulova retailers for $1,425. For Shelby fans and watch collectors, it's a fitting way to wear a piece of American motorsport history. Shop Now Source: Bulova/Shelby American

By Sponsored Article – August 11, 2026

Zannetti Discobolo Race Edition: Italian Craftsmanship in Motion

Born from a passion for speed, design, and traditional craftsmanship, the Zannetti Discobolo Race Edition transforms the visual language of classic motorsport into an expressive piece of contemporary watchmaking. Its most distinctive feature is the case profile, hand-engraved with a tread pattern inspired by historic Dunlop racing tires. More than a decorative detail, it gives the watch a powerful three-dimensional identity and reveals new textures from every angle.The Discobolo Race Edition is available in different artisanal interpretations. One combines a warm bronze case with an intricate dial created through enamel miniature painting. Another pairs stainless steel with a dial made from corozo, a natural material individually engraved and painted by hand. Because every dial is completed manually, subtle variations make each watch genuinely personal. The engraved Discobolo figure on the caseback connects the collection to classical Roman culture, while the bold radial composition of the dial evokes wheels, movement and mechanical energy.Zannetti is an independent Haute Horlogerie atelier, the only one in Rome and one of the few in Italy. Every creation incorporates genuine handcraftsmanship and is produced exclusively in small limited series or as a unique piece. Learn More GALLERY-EMBEDPhotography by Ty Alexander Photography.

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 30, 2026

TAG Heuer And Team Ikuzawa Debut A Limited-Edition Carrera Chronograph

With racing roots that date back to 1963, TAG Heuer has always been pit-side with watches engineered with motorsports in mind, more specifically, mechanical lap-timers used to track splits and determine race strategies. The Swiss watchmaker’s passion for the culture and its involvement aligns with Tetsu Ikuzawa’s vision for Team Ikuzawa, merging the style and history of motorsport into an authentic lifestyle brand backed by Tetsu’s resume as a former professional racing driver. Driven by his daughter and Team Principal, Mai Ikuzawa, Team Ikuzawa is stepping into the spotlight with its second and latest collaboration with TAG Heuer, the limited-edition TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Team Ikuzawa.But even before ideas and visions came to fruition, Mia enlisted the expertise of longtime collaborator and friend George Bamford of Bamford London, making the exclusive release a melding of the minds. Limited to just 150 individually numbered pieces worldwide, Carrera Chronograph x Team Ikuzawa takes visual inspiration from the original Heuer Roadmaster stopwatch long used on track, starting life as a stainless-steel 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox. The customized dial is where Bamford’s mastery comes into play, reimagining it in a subtly stunning way with a white Clou de Paris-textured finish and contrasting red touches and branding that nod to the iconic colors of Team Ikuzawa. An exposed back case offers a look inside the watch, protected by sapphire crystal etched with the Team Ikuzawa and Bamford Watch Department logos as a nod to the collaboration. Powered by TAG Heuer’s in-house TH20-10 chronograph caliber, the Carrera features a running seconds display to pay homage to vintage TAG Heuer racing chronographs and the golden era of motorsport. The watch comes fitted on a seven-row steel bracelet with alternating brushed and polished finishes, accompanied by two additional colored straps and special packaging resembling an old tool box. The all-new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Team Ikuzawa is available at authorized boutiques worldwide for $10,500. Source: TAG Heuer

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 24, 2026

H. Moser Reveals Its $440K Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton 'Cosmic Rain'

While the dial is usually the first thing to catch your eye on any watch, it's more often the mechanics driving it that showcase its true beauty. That proves especially true for minute repeaters, one of the most complex mechanical watch complications ever created, using an acoustic chime to indicate the hours, quarter-hours, and minutes on demand. H. Moser is taking things even a step further with its new, limited-edition Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Cosmic Rain, combining a minute repeater, a flying tourbillon with a cylindrical hairspring, and a fully skeletonized movement.Limited to just 20 watches worldwide, the Endeavour features a 40mm case crafted from lightweight titanium, with a pronounced crown located just below 3 o’clock that controls its functions. H. Moser ditches traditional dial design for an openwork dial that sets the intricate movement on center stage, with a small “Cosmic Rain” aventurine subdial set with hand-applied mother-of-pearl inlays that resemble a star-filled sky. The watch also features a one-minute flying tourbillon fitted with a hand-formed cylindrical hairspring, inspired by 18th-century marine chronometers, fully exposed at 6 o’clock.Rather than concealing the minute repeater hammers like most traditional designs, H. Moser decided to reposition the entire chiming mechanism on the dial as well. Powering the mechanical madness and its multitude of functions is H. Moser’s in-house HMC 909 caliber, comprised of 415 components and capable of holding an impressive 90-hour power reserve. Each of the 20 H. Moser Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Cosmic Rain comes fitted on a grey alligator leather strap and is priced at $440,000. Source: H. Moser & Cie.

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 20, 2026

Breitling Launches a Chronograph Tribute to the Aston Martin DB5

Making its first on-screen appearance in the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964), the Aston Martin DB5 kicked off what would become a long-lived legacy connecting a historic British marque with one of the film industry’s most popular secret agents. Shortly after, Breitling was tapping into a new, youthful, speed-driven audience with its new Top Time chronograph, which also appeared on Sean Connery's wrist in Thunderball (1965) alongside the Aston Martin DB5. Today, Aston Martin and Breitling are celebrating that iconic connection with the launch of the new Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.The limited-edition tribute collection includes three distinct models: Steel (limited to 1,022 pieces), Steel and Platinum (315 pieces), and 18k Red Gold (250 pieces), with each drawing inspiration from different characteristics of the Aston Martin DB5. While each model features its own case material and dial color, all three share a wooden inner bezel inspired by the DB5's steering wheel and a brown leather strap that resembles the car's interior. The stainless steel version offers the closest connection to the original Top Time (ref.2002), finished with a silver dial as an homage to the DB5’s most recognizable silver exterior finish. Both of its precious metal counterparts source natural black onyx stone for their dials, chosen to match the look of a DB5 dashboard. The engine driving the Top Time B01 Chronograph is Breitling’s flagship, in-house Caliber 01 movement, a COSC-certified chronometer with an impressive 70-hour power reserve. The rotor itself has been engraved with the Aston Martin logo to signify the exclusive collaboration. The all-new Breitling Top Time Chronograph Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 is now available at authorized boutiques worldwide starting at $11,400. Source: Breitling

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 17, 2026

Buzz Aldrin's Watch Collection Totals $201K at Sotheby's 'Space Exploration' Auction

As the world prepares to celebrate the 57th anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon landing in the coming days, it proved to be the perfect time for Sotheby’s New York to showcase its Space Exploration auction live in its saleroom at 945 Madison Avenue. In addition to collectibles, ranging from signed photos and memorabilia to actual pieces from the spacecraft, the auction also featured a selection of watches from the personal collection of former NASA astronaut, fighter pilot, and aeronautical engineer Buzz Aldrin. Catching attention from watch and space collectors worldwide, the watches of Buzz Aldrin’s personal collection totaled $201,048 in sales. While the lots featured a diverse lineup, including pieces from Bulova, Citizen, Metal.CH, Peruzzi, and even a watchbox full of souvenir watches, the main highlights stood out as Omega’s flagship model and the first watch to land on the moon, the Speedmaster. The watch with the biggest story takes shape as an Omega Speedmaster Professional, Circa 1990, a watch that resembled Aldrin’s space-worn Speedmaster and was purchased after the original watch went missing. The next significant watch, and the most expensive sold in the auction, is a commemorative Omega Speedmaster 3861, Circa 2026, finished in 18k moonshine gold with a champagne sunburst and black subdials. The watch also came with a sworn letter of ownership signed and confirmed by Buzz Aldrin’s power of attorney. The letter also reveals that after Aldrin’s successful mission to the moon, his passion for collecting watches continued long after Apollo 11. While the auction featured remarkable pieces tied to the history of space exploration, it was the Speedmasters that once again stole the spotlight. Backed by Buzz Aldrin's personal connection to both the Apollo program and a lifelong appreciation for watch collecting, these pieces represented far more than just collectible timepieces. For the lucky bidders who took them home, they now own a tangible piece of one of history's greatest achievements. Scroll below to see the full list of watches and what each sold for at Sotheby’s New York Space Exploration auction. Omega Speedmaster 3861 Sold for $70,400 Omega Speedmaster Professional Sold for $44,800 Omega De Ville Co-Axial Sold for $12,800 Omega Speedmaster HB-SIA 'Solar Impulse' Sold for $17,920 Omega Seamaster Professional 'GMT' Sold for $14,080 Omega Constellation Day Date 'Owl' Sold for $6,400 Bulova Accutron Eagle Pilot Automatic Sold for $4,096 Citizen Promaster Hyper Aqualand Sold for $2,048 Bulova Accutron Eagle Pilot Automatic Sold for $5,120 Metal.CH Chronograph Sold for $3,584 Peruzzi Chronographe Sold for $2,560 Bulova Accutron Eagle Pilot Chronograph Sold for $4,864 Personal Group of Souvenir Watches Sold for $5,376 Source: Sotheby's New York

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 16, 2026

Omega x Swatch Unveils the Exclusive MoonSwatch 'Mission to the Moon 1969'

Since the very first Speedmaster landed on the moon with Neil Armstrong, Omega’s connection to space travel has only grown, proven to be the only watch able to survive NASA’s “torture tests” at the time. And while it's remained a core piece of Omega’s lineup and a must-have piece for watch collectors, the Speedmaster witnessed a mainstream resurgence with the launch of Omega and Swatch’s Moonswatch collaboration. That revival continues as we gear up to celebrate the 57th anniversary of Apollo 11’s successful mission to the moon, debuting an exclusive new Moonswatch ‘Mission to the Moon 1969’. The watch measures 42mm and is crafted from the MoonSwatch's signature Bioceramic, finished in a stealthy black-and-gold colorway. The use of real 18k gold pays homage to Omega’s original gold Speedmaster from 1969, created to commemorate the mission’s historic success. The gold accents extend from the tachymeter scale and pushers to the dial itself, contrasting against gold-beveled and black hour markers and matching hour, minute, and seconds hands. The dial also features period-correct Omega logos and typography.Unlike the mechanical Omega Speedmaster, the MoonSwatch runs on a reliable quartz chronograph movement that keeps things simple and easy to live with. It's lightweight, accurate, and practically maintenance-free, making it the perfect everyday companion. Rounding off the special release is a matching black-and-gold textured nylon strap with an inner gold moon surface lining and Omega x Swatch co-branding. Limited to just 1969 individually numbered pieces worldwide, this exclusive edition is available for purchase only through an approved Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application (ESTA) found on the Swatch website. Source: Swatch

Jacob & Co. Unveils 1-of-1 Astronomia for a Legendary Car Collector

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 06, 2026

Jacob & Co. Unveils One-of-One Astronomia for a Legendary Car Collector

Watches have long shared a close connection with the automotive world, with chronographs originally used as tool watches to measure lap times both on the track and in the paddock. Since then, watchmaking has evolved from producing purpose-built instruments to creating wearable works of art, and Jacob & Co. stands at the forefront of that evolution. With an already impressive collection in partnership with Bugatti, Jacob & Co. just revealed a pièce unique Astronomia specially designed in collaboration with renowned car collector and owner of Patton Motors, Marty Patton. With Patton’s deep, established roots in the sports industry and collector car world, the Astronomia proves to be the perfect watch for personalization, having long been a blank canvas for some of Jacob & Co.’s most creative collaborations. The case itself is crafted exclusively in 18k rose gold , with the caseback, lugs, and clasp entirely pavé-set with yellow sapphires. The movement, a space-inspired, rotating tourbillon, takes center stage, but rather than planets from the solar system, Patton’s piece features four miniature, custom cars. The craftsmanship is so detailed that it's easy to identify the cars featured on the watch: a Ferrari LaFerrari, Bugatti W16 Mistral, Ferrari 250 GTO, and Ferrari 246 Dino. The hand-painted blue globe at the center of the dial has been reimagined as a baseball with intricate stitching, a nod to Patton’s association with the sport as the Founder of Cooperstown All-Star Village in New York. From its rotating automotive icons to its baseball-inspired centerpiece, every detail tells a story, proving that for collectors, the most valuable watches are often the ones that tell the story behind them. Source: Jacob & Co.

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