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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 Edward Jones – July 16, 2020

F.P. Journe Continues Tradition With the New Tourbillon S...

François-Paul Journe has made it his life’s work to invent, design, and produce watches that are accurate and distinctive. Since launching his brand in 1999, more than 28 different models have been produced while keeping production at a maximum of 900 watches per year. The first model was a Tourbillon. Twenty years later, F.P.Journe introduced a revolutionary twist on the Tourbillon to celebrate this important milestone. In the new Tourbillon Souverain, the tourbillon is mounted perpendicularly to the rest of the movement, revolving vertically once every 30 seconds. To explain why, François-Paul Journe goes back to the original intent of the tourbillon, to use gravity to keep lubricants mixed inside a watch mechanism. In a pocket watch, a traditional design works well, as the watch is mostly in a vertical position. In a wristwatch, however, the position varies wildly through day to day activities but is more often horizontal than vertical. By turning the entire tourbillon, the new model reimagines the original concept specifically for a wristwatch. It is the piece François-Paul Journe would choose to wear if he were able to meet the legendary 18th Century watchmakers that influence all his work. Like all F.P.Journe watches, the entire watch is hand-assembled by one watchmaker, start to finish, in the heart of Geneva. While most firms have abandoned this technique, the tradition lives on at F.P.Journe to maintain that direct link of craftsmanship between the creator and the wearer. The movement is, like all Classique Collection models, made out of solid 18K rose Gold and cased in platinum or 6N Gold produced by F.P.Journe’s own case manufacturer. Each watch produced by F.P.Journe, from the most simple Chronomètre Souverain to the Astronomic grand complication is produced in this way, with a focus on accuracy, innovation, and unmistakable design. Discover more about the Tourbillon Souverain Collection at FPJourne.com by clicking the button below. Visit FPJourne.com

By Edward Jones – June 18, 2020

TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Heuer 02 Chronograph Revealed

TAG Heuer and Hiroshi Fujiwara, the founder of Fragment Design, have teamed up to create the new and limited TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Heuer 02 Chronograph watch. This collaboration saw the two brands creating a reinterpretation of TAG Heuer's motorsports inspired C-case models from the 1960s and 1970s. The case and bracelet of this new watch are made of steel, which allows the striking dial and bezel features to really shine. Fujiwara went with a black and red color scheme for the dial, with white lettering that contrasts for perfect readability. Red is found on the hour indexes and hands, creating a perfect dash of color to the watch. In between the indexes for 4 and 5 o'clock the word "FRAGMENT" can be found, signifying this watch's limited edition status. There are also two subcounters at 3 and 9 o'clock, as well as a date window at 6 o'clock. This new watch is available for pre-order now with a price tag of $6,150. The run of 500 pieces will be start delivery on August 7, 2020. Pre-Order Now

By Edward Jones – June 16, 2020

New Jacob & Co Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti 300+ Watch Reve...

Jacob & Co. is back again with a fantastic timepiece that celebrates the groundbreaking Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. Named the Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti 300+, this new timepiece is something any watch collector or Bugatti fan should own. Its forged carbon and black DLC Grade 5 Titanium and orange details match the paint scheme of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ beautifully. Within the 88-piece forged carbon case are a myriad of complications that make the timepiece tick, including the black titanium twin triple-axis tourbillon movement. A regulator system is in place to keep a perfect balance between these two tourbillons, ensuring the proper time and date are told at all times. As for other features, it has a decimal minute repeater, reference time indicator, integrated mono-pusher chronograph, 50-hour power reserve and a whole lot more. It comes with a price tag of $580,000 and is limited to just three pieces. To learn more, be sure to click the button below. Learn More https://www.facebook.com/jacobandco/videos/585294112094041/

By Edward Jones – June 09, 2020

Online-Auction of 16 Rare Vintage Rolex Watches

Are you looking for a new Rolex? How about a rare vintage Rolex? For those who answered yes, then we have the perfect auction to introduce you to. Bob's Watches is holding their "Fresh Finds" June auction, which consists of 16 rare vintage Rolex watches. What's more, each of these watches is original and is being offered by their original owners. That's not something you typically get with vintage watches. They have a wide range of Rolex watches, including the Pepsi, Daytona "Paul Newman," Explorer "Steve McQueen" and a lot more. The bidding is open now to those who register and it will be open until June 15th, 5:00 PM PST. It should also be mentioned that there's no buyer's commission, so what you bid is what you pay. Click the button below to see the watches for yourself. View Auction Source: BobsWatches.com

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2020

Hublot Drops the New Big Bang E Smartwatch

Fans of digital watches and Hublot can rejoice as the watchmaker has just debuted the new Big Band E Black Ceramic. This new "connected" watch comes after Hublot introduced their first of its kind back in 2018. Now, the new E Black Ceramic builds upon Hublot's engineering capabilities and reputation by being the most stylish digital watch out there. The microblasted and polished black ceramic case measures in at 42 mm, which is joined by a matching bezel. Hublot has also introduced a titanium version of this watch as well, where titanium replaces the ceramic. Holding the watch onto the wearer's wrist is a rubber strap that matches the black case perfectly in both color and design. Additionally, this strap can be swapped out easily thanks to Hublot's patented one-click system- no extra tools needed. As for the dials, those are all Hublot digital faces and there's a wide variety. The technology itself runs on Wear OS by Google so you can answer calls, use your payment cards and everything else you'd expect from a smartwatch. For the first time in Hublot's history they are offering the new Big Bang E Black Ceramic and E Titanium for sale online. The E Black Ceramic comes in with a price of $5,800 while the E Titanium has a price of $5,200. For more information, click the button below. View on Hublot.com Source: Hublot

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2020

TAG Heuer Unveils Grand Prix de Monaco Historique

Grand Prix drivers have relied on Tag Heuer watches since the earliest races. Already the sponsor of the Monaco F1 race, we're excited to announce they have expanded to the Monaco Historique races. This new timepiece is 39mm and limited to 1,000 examples. Powered by their award-winning Calibre HEUER 02 Automatic movement. Designed to honor legends of the past Monaco winners, and the press release mentions Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen, David Coulthard, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Daniel Ricciardo. And of course the “King of Monaco”, longtime TAG Heuer friend and Ambassador Ayrton Senna. Learn More

By Edward Jones – May 05, 2020

New Bell & Ross HUD Edition Inspired by Fighter Jets

Bell & Ross has taken their fantastic 03-92 watch and created a new special edition model that's inspired by fighter jets of the sky. While the overall build is similar to that of the other 03-92 watches, this one has a completely new dial that sets it apart. For the glass, Bell & Ross used a green sapphire, mimicking the heads-up-display (HUD) of a fighter jet. Another great addition is the central hour disc with a triangle acting as the hand. This is similar to a directional marker on a fighter jet's HUD and it's honestly a fantastic touch. All numbers, indices and hands are painted with Super-LumiNova®, so this watch will be very visible in the dark. Only 999 pieces of the Bell & Ross 03-92 HUD will be created, and they come with a price of $3,990.00. For more information, click the button below. Learn More Source: BellRoss.com

By Edward Jones – April 28, 2020

The Incredible New Timepieces from Watches & Wonders 2020

Watches & Wonders 2020 has move to an entirely new digital space that brings the new timepieces to everyone around the world in an instant. Deep dives into the design and engineering behind the watches can be found, as well as professional videos, photos and more. Below are just ten incredible examples of watches from this year's Watches and Wonders. To see them all, click the button below to head to their website. Visit WatchesAndWonders.com Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon " width="680"> Laurent Ferrier's Grand Sport Tourbillon is a timepiece built around the watchmaker's exceptional ability to create exceptional classical watches. This timepiece offers a sporty appearance that's very elegant. This is also Laurent Ferrier's first time integrating a stainless steel bracelet. Learn More Cartier Pasha de Cartier " width="680"> A stunning new timepiece collection from Cartier, set with diamonds. It's available in steel, yellow gold and pink gold. The blue cabochon spinel on the crown is a fantastic touch. Learn More Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept " width="680"> The Altiplano Ultimate Concept measures in with a thickness of just 2mm, making it the world's thinnest mechanical watch. It's more than just a concept as it's now ready to be purchased. Learn More HYT H0 " width="680"> HYT's latest H0 timepiece has a primarily black appearance with vibrant orange highlights that stand out beautifully. Telling the time is black fluid that runs around the watch's dial, a feature that HYT is so famous for. Learn More Purnell Escape II Carbon There's surely no watch out there like the Escape Double Tourbillon, which Purnell is touting as the world's fastest triple axis tourbillon. The engineering behind the double Spherion cages housing the 30-seconds tripll=e-axis tourbillons is jaw-dropping. Learn More A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS New for 2020, the A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS is a sporty watch with a white gold case and hands that contrast beautiful with the grey dial. This is a truly stylish watch that will pair well with an unlimited amount of outifts. Learn More Hermès Arceau L’heure de la lune Inspired by Earth's moon, the Arceau L’heure de la lune is a magnificent timepiece that's unlike anything you've seen before. The two mobile counters actually rotate on either a lunar, Martian or Black Sahara meteorite dial, covering the mothe-of-pearl moons, displaying the lunar phases for both the northern and southern hemispheres. Learn More Roger Dubuis Excalibur Diabolus in Machina Roger Dubuis have taken a minute repeater and couple it with a flying tourbillon to create the complex and impressive RD107 caliber. This movement can be seen from both sides of the watch. If this weren't a watch, you'd lose track of time staring at this complex piece of art. Learn More Panerai Luminor Marina Fibratech™ Panerai is celebrating the 70th anniversary of their first use of Luminor with a new collection of watches for 2020 like the Luminor Marina Fibratech™. This new watch was forged out of Fibratech™, a composite comprised of fully recyclable mineral fibers derived from molten volcanic rock and mineral additives. Learn More IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide IWC Schaffhausen's new Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide is a perfect companion for anyone who spends time out on the seas. It displays both the tides, as well as the lunar phases for both the northern and southern hemispheres. Learn More

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 24, 2020

Meet the New Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Blue Titanium

Montblanc’s diverse product line is meant to incorporate style with actual functionality, and they most certainly embed that motive into each of their timepieces. The Montblanc 1858 Collection is the best example, and they have recently added a new model to the lineup. The new Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Blue Titanium was created to pay homage to the original 1920’s and 1930’s military watches used as everyday tools. The unique dark blue dial is enclosed in a 42mm titanium case, paired with a matching blue leather strap or grade-five titanium strap, that has a power reserve for 42 hours. Where the materials and metals used on the watch label it more luxurious, two globes are located on the dial which rotate on a 24-hour span to ensure that it is a tool for daily use. The Montblanc 1858 in Geosphere Blue Titanium is currently available, as well as the other two unique styles, a limited-edition green and a classic black finish. Click below for more information on the 1858 Collection from Montblanc. Shop Now Source: Montblanc.com

By Edward Jones – April 24, 2020

Watches & Wonders is Going Virtual for 2020

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the highly-anticipated Watches & Wonders 2020 event has been canceled. But that hasn't stopped the event from showcasing this year's most illustrious and remarkable watches to the world. The event is pivoting to a digital showcase for 2020, allowing the entire world to preview timepieces from the world's most prestigious watchmakers, like Arnold & Son, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, HYT, IWC Schaffhausen, MB & F, Panerai, Roger Dubuis, Ulysse Nardin and more. You will be able to preview the watches on their new virtual platform, which is set to launch tomorrow, April 25, at 6:00 AM EST. All of the watches will be easy to navigate through and explore, and you'll even have the opportunity to connect with participating companies. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the finest watchmaking brands in the world to bring the Watches & Wonders concept to life online at a time when our industry needs it the most," said Fabienne Lupo, Chairwoman and Managing Director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. Visit WatchesAndWonders.com Featured Image Source: Instagram/WatchesandWonders (MB&F HM10 Bulldog)

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