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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 10, 2021

Check Out The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Revolutio...

In the past, we’ve covered some of the most unique examples of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia model, as it acts as a blank canvas for the luxury New York City watchmaker. Jacob & Co. is proud to present one of its newest additions to the Astronomia Collection, the Astronomia Tourbillon Revolution Rose Gold. Incorporating an array of perfectly cut baguette diamonds, Jacob & Co. uses this to highlight the design of the Astronomia throughout the 50mm 18K rose gold and sapphire crystal case. Displayed onto the rotating baguette diamond dial is the iconic gravitational triple-axis tourbillon, which holds a 60-hour power reserve and 30-meter water resistance. As seen on Jacob & Co.’s Instagram, the unique example is made as a head-turning piece for watch collectors like Irish professional mixed martial arts/boxer Conor McGregor, to which he proudly pairs with a fine custom suit. Tying together to the design of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Revolution is a large-scale blue leather strap and matching 18k Rose Gold folding clasp. The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Revolution Rose Gold is currently available through an authorized dealer for more information. For more Watch news, Check out Discover the Ernst Benz ChronoScope 47mm

By Edward Jones – May 10, 2021

Discover the Ernst Benz ChronoScope 47mm

Presented by Ernst Benz - The ChronoScope 47mm honors the tradition of the authentic aviation timepieces and great wrist timers worn by pilots in the 1940’s. A highly functional and reliable timekeeper features a chronograph mechanism enabling it to calculate the duration of an event in elapsed time. A pilot himself and an instrument supplier to the aviation community, Ernst Benz designed products to exceptional accuracy and functionality for professionals and watch enthusiasts. As legibility is one of the essential features for these large timepieces, the ChronoScope dials are designed to resemble mid-century aviation cockpit instruments, with diameters that allow for large numerals, bold markings, and oversized hands for instant readability also available in 44mm and 40mm. Featuring the renowned automatic Valjoux 7750 considered one of the world’s most refined self-winding chronograph movements, these timepieces measure elapsed time in seconds, minutes, and hours are also displaying the day and date. The Ernst Benz Great Circle case is 5atm water-resistant and machined of 316L surgical steel featuring an exhibition back with sapphire glass to highlight the self-winding movement that drives the ChronoScope. Five coats of Super-LumiNova applied over base color with matching Cathedral hands result in exceptionally low light visibility in the cockpit for pilots and all other unilluminated conditions. Learn More ERNST BENZ CHRONOSCOPE 47MM Source: Ernst Benz

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 10, 2021

Phillips Auction Sets New World Record for Highest Price ...

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, the world’s leading watch auction house, established two new world records during the first session of The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII, this Saturday, May 8. The records include the highest price for a Patek Philippe Worldtime two-crown wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial, as well as the highest price for a yellow gold wristwatch ever sold at auction. Following a long bidding war between nine telephones, with particularly strong participation from Asia, the legendary Patek Philippe reference 2523 sold for US$7,819,059 to an anonymous phone bidder with Phillips’ International Business Development Director Pansy Ku. The “Silk Road” is the earliest ever made Patek Philippe reference 2523 with cloisonné enamel dial and one of the most sought-after and unobtainable timepieces in the world. Previously unknown, it is a first of its kind, an extremely important and rare yellow gold worldwide wristwatch with two crowns and cloisonné dial. For those looking for a more affordable Patek Philippe, click the link below to shop all the current models available. Shop Patek Philippe Watches Information/Media Source: Phillips For more Watch news, Check out Makes And Movements: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale x Wilbur Automatic Launch Edition-JWB

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 06, 2021

Discover The Limited-Edition Zenith x Cohiba Cigars 55th-...

A watch and cigar combo like no other! Just like the automotive industry, the watch world continues to venture into new markets by creating relationships through collaboration projects. Zenith is proud to present its newest limited-edition example to celebrate Cohiba Cigars’ 55th-Anniversary. The special edition is presented as a 44mm Chronomaster Open, which allows for a closer look at the El Primero movement, which holds a power reserve of 50-hours. Inspiration of Cohiba Cigars is incorporated into the Chronomaster Open by color matching the dial to the brand’s color, as well as inscribing the logo on the middle sud-dial. Completing the elegant styling of the commemorative Chronomaster Open, Zenith added a black large scale leather strap. Although it is limited to only 55 examples produced, we believe this unique piece will be a collectors example for any watch enthusiasts or cigar lover. The new limited-edition Zenith x Cohiba Cigars 55th-Anniversary Chronomaster Open is currently available through an authorized dealer. Zenith Watches For more Watch news, Check out Makes And Movements: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale x Wilbur Automatic Launch Edition-JWB

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 06, 2021

Breitling Unveils The New Super Chronomat Collection

Breitling's modern take on a classic. Inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch that Breitling created for the hotshots of the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic fleet in 1983, the Super Chronomat is a supercharged, all-purpose sports watch that’s elegant enough for the evening as well. Now using modern materials and technology, Breitling is proud to announce the release of its new Super Chronomat Collection. The Chronomat also helped Breitling celebrate its centenary in style, marking the return of the mechanical chronograph on which the brand had built its global reputation. This technical legacy, combined with particularly stylish design codes, made the Chronomat the ultimate sport-chic watch of its time. Super Chronomat B01 44 The Super Chronomat B01 44 comes in three versions. Two are encased in stainless steel with blue or black dial-and-bezel combinations. The third is a rich brown dial-and-bezel combination with a case in 18 k red gold. All feature contrasting silver chronograph counters powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, which provides about 70 hours of power reserve. This Super Chronomat is water-resistant up to 200 meters. Shop Now Super Chronomat 44 Four-Year Calendar As its name implies, the Super Chronomat 44 Four-Year Calendar has a semi-perpetual calendar mechanism that needs adjusting just once every leap year – or every 1461 days. It comes in two versions: black dial with tone-on-tone chronograph counters, a stainless-steel bezel with a black ceramic bezel insert, and 18 k red gold elements, or blue dial featuring tone-on-tone chronograph counters and a bezel in 18 k red gold with a blue ceramic insert. Water-resistant up to 100 meters, this timepiece is powered by the Breitling Caliber 19, a COSC-certified chronograph movement with a semi-perpetual calendar with day, date, month, and moon phase indicators. Shop Now Media/Information Source: Breitling For more Watch news, Check out Discover The New Limited-Edition Ulysse Nardin Freak X 43mm

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 05, 2021

IWC Schaffhausen Celebrates 10 Years Of MR. PORTER With A...

IWC Schaffhausen holds strong ties with its brand ambassadors as well as its numerous collaborations in the area of sport, including Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. The luxury watchmaker is also very much aware of the collaborations that are projected to the world via a television screen. MR PORTER is a luxury retail platform that has been supporting the IWC Schaffhausen brand through its 10-year sales retail partnership. IWC Schaffhausen is proud to unveil the ’10 Years of MR PORTER Limited Edition Pilot Automatic Chronograph’, a commemorative example celebrating the relationship between the two brands. Derived from Bronze, the special edition Pilot watch features a 41.1mm case, which houses a traditional blue chronograph dial with matching bronze indicators and hands. The Swiss-made caliber 69380 automatic chronograph movement provides a functional 46-hour power reserve, as well as a reliable 60-meter water resistance. On the backcase, IWC engraved the MR PORTER and production number of each of the limited 110 examples produced for the special occasion. Completing the traditionally modern styling of the IWC Schaffhausen x MR PORTER watch is a comfortable genuine black leather strap and matching bronze folding clasp. The new ’10 Years of MR PORTER Limited Edition Pilot Automatic Chronograph’ is currently available to preorder for $7,100 by clicking the link below. Shop IWC x MR PORTER Media Source: MR. PORTER For more Watch news, Check out Discover The New Limited-Edition Ulysse Nardin Freak X 43mm

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 05, 2021

Discover The New Limited-Edition Ulysse Nardin Freak X 43mm

The watch with the perfect blend of style and functionality The Freak X Collection by Ulysse Nardin embodies the process of traditional watchmaking while focusing on modern design and technology. The combination blends and highlights the aspects of Ulysse Nardin as a pioneer in the watch industry. The Swiss watch manufacturer is proud to announce the release of its newest head-turning addition to the Freak X Collection, the limited-edition Freak X 43mm. The Freak X model doesn’t feature a conventional dial but a decorative movement plate integrating the minute gear train here fully “razzle dazzled” Limited to 30 pieces, the watch is available in titanium with a black DLC case and a black openwork rubber leather strap with “point de bride” stitches and rubber, or a white openwork calfskin leather strap with “point de bride” stitches. The elegant styling of the Freak X is complemented with top-notch functionality and reliability, providing a 72-hour power reserve and 50-meter water resistance. The limited-edition example is currently available through authorized Ulysse Nardin dealers for $27,300. Shop the new limited-edition Ulysse Nardin Freak X by clicking the link below. Shop The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Ulysse Nardin For more Watch news, Check out Makes And Movements: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale x Wilbur Automatic Launch Edition-JWB

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 04, 2021

The Limited-Edition Salvatore Ferragamo F-80 Skeleton Col...

The watch world is home to countless brands and examples that highlight each manufacturers’ most exclusive models represented as limited-edition pieces. It’s a process that Salvatore Ferragamo incorporates into the F-80 Skeleton Collection, which features three new stylish models. Just as it says in the name, Ferragamo equips the 41mm Black IP case with a skeleton dial, which is available in Black, Blue, and Green. Viewable through the transparent dial and back case is the DP24 Automatic Skeleton movement, which holds a water resistance of 50-meters. Ferragamo and the non-profit organization Rete Clima added a sustainable feature by incorporating an eco-friendly color-matched strap using recycled PET with vegetable-tanned leather. The limited-edition Salvatore Ferragamo F-80 Skeleton Collection is currently available starting at $2,395. Shop the Salvatore Ferragamo F-80 Skeleton Collection by clicking the link below for more information. Shop Salvatore Ferragamo F-80 Skeleton For more Watch news, Check out Makes And Movements: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale x Wilbur Automatic Launch Edition-JWB

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 30, 2021

Discover The All-New Ulysse Nardin BLAST Hourstriker

Presented by Ulysse Nardin - Before we wore time, we heard it. Clocks made by brilliant craftsmen who would, through miniaturization, create domestic clocks and handheld timepieces, capable of loudly striking the passing hours. Inspired by watchmaking’s past and the possibility of moving musical timekeeping into the future, Ulysse Nardin is proud to unveil the BLAST Hourstriker, an innovative new striking watch that breaks barriers in sound technology. This art of marking the time with music has always been a part of Ulysse Nardin’s technical arsenal. It was revived in the 1980s, under the impetus of Rolf Schnyder and given a new lease of life in 2019 when the Swiss Manufacture collaborated with cutting-edge French watchmaking acoustics audio technology company Devialet, to launch the Classico Hourstriker Phantom. Ulysse Nardin For the BLAST Hourstriker, Ulysse Nardin’s engineers and watchmakers developed the UN-621 caliber, the brand’s first in-house automatic striking manufacture movement to be powered by a flying tourbillon. After several years in the making, Ulysse Nardin enhanced the sound by applying a proprietary acoustic system in collaboration again with Devialet. It consists of a membrane stretched over the movement that amplifies the vibrations of the strike. When the striker is on, the mechanical ballet that makes the watch’s sound is visible on the hour and half hour markers. By pressing the button located at 10 o’clock, the mechanism, driven by a specially dedicated barrel, is triggered. The hour rack and the inertia regulator start to turn the hammers, visible in an opening made at 12 o’clock, hit the gong whose shape has been subtly worked to bypass the cage of the flying tourbillon. Ulysse Nardin An exceptional mechanism requires an exceptional case, so Ulysse Nardin decided to encase a movement inspired by the power of stealth airplane. To truly allow the sound of the Blast Hourstriker to resonate, the distinctive 45 mm Blast case was given a black DLC titanium middle, capped with 5 N 18 kt rose gold, for improved acoustics. The $104,400 timepiece is available on a variety of straps including black alligator, rubber, and waterproof velvet. Visit UlysseNardin.com Image Source: Ulysse Nardin

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 29, 2021

Hublot Releases The New Big Bang Unico Golf Yellow Carbon

Hublot’s collection of luxury-themed timepieces explain the diversity of its product line, as well as the brand’s commitment to constantly move forward in the areas of design and technology. Hublot’s diverse colors are displayed on its most recent release, the new Big Bang UNICO Golf Yellow Carbon. Hublot constructed the 45mm case using Carbon Fiber and Yellow Texalium to achieve its vibrant yellow look. The transparent dial helps to highlight the most unique and appropriate function for golfers, a scorekeeper. The function includes a hole, shot, and score counter, which is controlled by labeled buttons next to the crown. The transparent sapphire crystal back case allows for a closer look at the in-house UNICO movement, which holds a 72-hour power reserve and 100-meter water resistance. Continuing the sport-focused theme, a matching yellow carbon fiber textured rubber strap with yellow calf leather was added. The Hublot Big Bang UNICO Golf Yellow Carbon is limited to 100 examples produced, which is indicated on the back case of each watch. The new limited-edition Hublot Big Bang UNICO Golf Yellow Carbon is currently available for $32,500 by clicking the link below. Hublot Shop Hublot For more Watch news, Check out Makes And Movements: 2021 BRABUS 800 WIDESTAR x Ulysse Nardin Blast

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