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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 – October 17, 2019

Emerald Green Comes to Hublot Big Bang MP-11

Hublot has just changed the watch game with the unveiling of their Big Bang MP-11 in green SAXEM, a brilliant emerald green timepiece that raises the bar. This watch actually marks the first time that SAXEM has been used in a watch. What is SAXEM? It stands for "Sapphire Aluminum oXide and rare Earth Mineral". Hublot combines aluminum oxide, which is actually a basic component of sapphire, with rare Earth elements like thulium, holmium and chromium. The result is a case that's harder than emerald and more brilliant than sapphire. But what about the mechanical bits inside the case? The Big Bang MP-11 runs on a manual-winding skeleton manufacture calibre (HUB3011) that's paired with a two-week power reserve. Wearers can observe the power reserve's seven barrels directly to the right of the date display. Hublot is planing a limited run of just 20 examples of the Big Bang MP-11 in green SAXEM. The price is set at $127,000. You can learn more at Hublot.com.

By Roberta Naas – October 16, 2019

How to Build a Watch Wardrobe

By Roberta Naas If you’ve been thinking about starting a watch collection, there is no time like the present. Watches can be worn on the wrist every day and are highly noticeable. Additionally, some watches not only hold their value, but also increase in value over the years. Whether you are considering building a watch wardrobe purely for the pleasure of it, or for investment purposes, we bring you a few important questions you should be asking yourself, and offer some helpful hints on getting started. I want to preface this article, though, with what may well be the most important ethos of watch collecting: Buy what you truly like; trust your own personal style and taste. To me, collecting is not about investing in the future, but rather it is about enjoying the watches of today. Of course, when you see watches with provenance such as the Rolex watches owned by Paul Newman or Marlon Brando selling at auction with numbers well into the millions, it is difficult not to think about that investment angle. But those cases are few and far between, and if you can’t afford to buy one of those legendary watches at auction, you should stick to buying what you love and building a highly wearable – and enviable – wardrobe. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph Questions to Ask Yourself Before you go out and start buying watches, you need to consider a few things. What are your likes and dislikes when it comes to lifestyle and general style? If you are a car lover, you may want to look at watches that have an alignment with the auto-racing world. There are many watch brands that partner with races, racecar drivers and car brands. You could create a very highly focused watch wardrobe of timepieces that relate to the automobile world – giving you a new story to tell with every watch. Maybe your love is aviation, or diving. There are a host of brands that specialize in these areas, as well, and you can build an entire series of collectible watches around that passion. Seiko's dive watches are one of the first options that people in this activity usually consider. As reported by watch collector James Hampton-Smith, their watches are well-known for being available in a wide range of prices to suit everyone’s preferences - not just the luxurious expensive ones. Again, with each watch you wear, you have a story about its relationship to the deep blue sea or the bright blue skies. Some people have a passion for a special genre. Maybe you love military-inspired watches, or timepieces inspired by a certain era. Some people build entire wardrobes around themes such as this. Others go deep into buying a specific brand – often purchasing half a dozen different watches made by a particular brand. Yet others are fixated on a color. I know one watch collector who buys only watches with blue dials. He has amassed an incredible collection. Things to Consider Rolex Cosmograph Daytona It is important to buy quality while still paying attention to your budget. There are great watches that can be found for a few thousand dollars to under $10,000. Having a few quality watches is better than having a bigger number of mediocre watches. There is no set number of watches that constitute a collection. Most experts say that having at least five is a good starting number. This should include at least one or more daily drivers, a sporty timepiece or two, and a special piece. Consider having a versatile metal bracelet watch in the line up, or even an interchangeable bracelet/strap watch for sport or daily wear. If your budget allows, you may want to add a sophisticated icon to your collection – legendary names that have been around for centuries. Here, though, we are entering significantly higher price ranges, so only go there when your budget allows. Don’t overlook the independent brands, either. There are so many great independent watchmakers creating limited editions and specialty pieces that sell like hot cakes and that may one day be that “investment” piece. Don't buy all “time only” watches. Make sure to include a complication or two. Complications are any function other than time keeping added to the watch. Chronographs are particularly attractive thanks to theirlook with two, three, or even four subdials as counters. Additionally, a multi-timer or GMT can be useful. It all depends on what your personal needs are. Take your time building your collection and enjoy doing it. Lastly, be careful when buying. Only buy from a reputable source (especially when buying vintage and certified pre-owned) and from an authorized retailer or brand boutique. GET THIS ISSUE NOW

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2019

Corum Injects Modernity and Athleticism into Its Admiral ...

Presented by Corum Watches - The Admiral is one of the pillars of Corum’s heritage. Unveiled in 1960, five short years after the brand’s creation, it embodies the Swiss watchmaker’s idea of maritime-inspired watchmaking. Although it has always been loyal to its artistic fibre, it has never been afraid to set sail for distant shores. visit corum-watches.com The new urban warrior unleashed First introduced into the brand stable as the Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Chronograph in 2013, the masculine-looking watch has always been a combination of power, elegance and performance with a huge dose of inspiration from the sailing world. The new Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph retains the essence of its sporty predecessor except for a few minor tweaks. The “60” hour marker at 12 o’clock has been replaced by the Corum key and brand logo, which have been slightly enlarged to give better brand visibility. Another benefit from this minor design modification is the introduction of more breathing space on the dial—and with this small change, the Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph looks sleeker and more contemporary. Corum also worked on the case shape of the watch which now features a more angular dodecagonal bezel to create a more sophisticated aesthetic. For the chronograph display, Corum replaced the dial with a “Grenadier fendu” motif, which means that the dial is unique to the brand. Instead of monochromatic dials, the Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph comes with black or white dials with contrasting sub-dials. " width="680"> Powering the chronograph is the highly reliable Calibre CO 132, a self-winding movement that beats at 4 Hertz and boasts 42 hours of power reserve, 100m water resistance and decorative finishes specific to Corum. The Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph is available in 2 dial colors of black or white. The black dial version comes available in either 5N 18kt rose gold or titanium grade 5 with black PVD treatment; while the white dial is available in titanium grade 5 or 5N 18kt rose gold. visit corum-watches.com

By Edward Jones – October 04, 2019

New Richard Mille RM 62-01 Watch Has a Vibrating Alarm

Richard Mille is following up the Alfa Romeo Racing Team-Inspired RM 50-04, a watch priced at over $1 million, with yet another watch worth seven figures. The new RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ is a $1,225,000 watch that has a bevy of features that make it the perfect fit for the affluent traveler. Richard Mille teamed up with Airbus Corporate Jets for this watch, which explains the traveler aspect of the watch. It features a manual-winding toubillon movement, green UTC hand which indicates the second time zone, 70-hour power reserve (power is indicated at the 11-o-clock), and more. But what should really be mentioned is the watch's vibrating alarm. Richard Mille installed an oscillating weight made of white gold. When it's time for the alarm to go off, this weight oscillates at 5,400 rpm, making the watch vibrate. This allows the wearer to be notified of an alarm while not disturbing others while traveling. The oscillating weight made of white gold. As for the watch's design, it's heavily inspired by planes. The is most noticeable plane-inspired aspect of the watch is the crown, which resembles a plane's turbine. The case itself is crafted out of titanium and Carbon TPT®. The new Richard Mille RM 62-01 is a very limited edition, with only 30 pieces to be sold. For more information, click here. https://www.instagram.com/p/B215pnvDBFt Image Source: RichardMille.com, Instagram/@richardmilleofficial

By Edward Jones – September 25, 2019

Omega Introduces New "James Bond" Seamaster Watch

Omega has just dropped a new Seamaster Diver that pays homage to the 50th anniversary of the James Bond Film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." This watch comes in a special box with an extra stainless steel bracelet. As for what makes it a special watch, there are a few touches like the number "7" on the date disc, a secret "50" in the luminescent material of the 10 o'clock marker. There's also a Bond family coat-of-arms on the caseback with the saying: ". Omega will make 7,007 examples of this special watch. Each comes with an 18k yellow gold plate on the case with the watch's limited edition number engraved on the side. The price is set at $6,500 and you can learn more by clicking here. Also Check Out: New $1 Million Alfa Romeo Racing Team-Inspired Richard Mille RM 50-04 Introducing the HYT H2.0 – Mexico MB&F Legacy Machine No.2 Red Gold Blue Edition Announced

By Edward Jones – September 23, 2019

New $1 Million Alfa Romeo Racing Team-Inspired Richard Mi...

During the 2019 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, Richard Mille took the time to unveil their new RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen timepiece. This new timepiece not only honors Räikkönen, but also his racing team: Alfa Romeo Racing Team. The RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen features manual winding tourbillon movement. There's also a hours, minutes, split-seconds chronograph, and a 30-minute totalizer. If you're interested, act fast because only 30 pieces are to be produced with a price of $1,063,000. Also Check Out: McLaren Speedtail Takes “Best of Show” at Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille McLaren x Richard Mille Watch Revealed Image Source

By Edward Jones – September 19, 2019

Introducing the HYT H2.0 - Mexico

Presented by HYT Watches - Water and time separate HYT’s continent of origin from Mexico. Three unique HYT H20 timepieces are uniting these elements and locations with special appearances at three Mexican exhibitions in September and October 2019 – the EMWA Fest, Berger Fest and SIAR. For HYT, the flow of liquid and time really matters. This is the two-fold inspiration, essence and driver of the H20, with its patented micro-fluidic module incorporating an exclusive APRP movement. A trio of one-off variations allies with the individual colors of the Mexican flag to localize the beautiful motion of time. For a watch capable of defying gravity, distance is just a walk in the park. view the hyt h20 collection Radical perspectives on time The H20 offers radical perspectives on time, through 3D transparency and a shape resembling a smoothed stone, weathered to perfection. It showcases the essential HYT union of art and science, measuring the passage of time mesmerizingly using fluids. In the Mexico-inspired trio, black liquid traces elapsed time, while a see-through counterpart reflects what’s about to come. Pale green C7 Super-LumiNova®, underneath the capillary and on the numerals and hands, supports timekeeping after dark. Like a flourishing river, life does not stand still, so the present floats elegantly at the ever-changing meeting point of the past and future, day and night. The signature of each piece’s uniqueness is a color accent on the bezel in either red, white or green, teasing the enigmatic draw of a black case and strap. The essence of flow A cloche-like sapphire crystal offers an intriguing lateral view of the progress of time. This takes the memory to the pristine equipment of a science laboratory – and the imagination to the protective display of a precious work of art, in this case time. Viewed from the side, the skeleton digits, markers and directive arrows appear to be floating. In its entirety, the H20 is an invitation to discover and explore new dimensions of encountering time and space in context – yours. The angled positioning of the two concertina bellows is the gateway to looking behind the scenes of temporality. A jumping minute hand, crown position indicator and thermal indicator are further elements of this live performance in a meticulously constructed theater of time. The H20 traces and embraces the very essence of flow – even between continents. view the hyt h20 collection

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2019

HYT Soonow: An Intriguing Look At Time's Flow

HYT Watches have a very unique way of telling time. Instead of a constant tick, they provide a more fluid approach that flows just as naturally as time should. For their latest Soonow collection, this fluid flow of time wraps around a skull inspired by Aztecan artifacts. To create the unique way that the Soonow tells time, HYT utilizes their exclusive mechanical movement. Two contrasting layers are pushed through the skull-shaped capillary as time passes. To read the time, a wearer needs to just look at where the two fluids meet and read the printed words founds above the skull's outline. The skull design of the Soonow is made up of 313 18-karat gold pins that stick out through a titanium plate. Each of the skull's eyes tells a different story. The left eye rotates as each second passes, and the words "soon" and "now" can be read on this dial. For the right eye, HYT came up with a brilliant way to display the watch's power reserve. The pupil of this eye peers out from a disc that sits behind the eye's socket, displaying the level of the power reserve. HYT is creating two different editions of the Soonow, each in different colorways. One features blue fluid with red trim on the skull, while the other has green fluid with matching green trim. Only 25 examples are planned for both editions. learn more on hytwatches.com

By Edward Jones – July 17, 2019

MB&F Legacy Machine No.2 Red Gold Blue Edition Announced

MB&F has just announced that the new LM2 Red Gold Blue will be the last example of the Legacy Machine No.2 (LM2) to be crafted in 18K red gold. This new watch comes six years after the first LM2 was unveiled. Only 12 examples of the LM2 Red Gold Blue will be created, making it a very limited piece. The blue dial plate allows this watch to stand apart from other LM2s. Each of the "flying" balance wheels are secured in place by second-generation bridges that made their first appearance in the most recent LM2 editions. Are you considering picking up one of these extremely limited watches? The retail price is set at $156,000, but you better act fast. learn more at mbandf.com

By Edward Jones – June 12, 2019

Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Shepard Fairey Watches Re-Released

In 2018, Hublot announced a partnership with street artist Shepard Fairey. You may know his work from the OBEY brand, which has been popular ever since it came into existence in the early 2000s. The result of the collab was the Meca-10 Shepard Fairey watch. When it was released, Hublot only produced 100 examples of the watch. Now, Hublot is re-releasing the watch with another 100-example run. The Meca-10 Shepard Fairey is a part of the Big Bang Meca-10 lineup, which is a newer addition to Hublot's family. It comes packing a manually-wound skeleton caliber with a 10-day power reserve. On the face, around the 3 o'clock, Hublot included Shepard Fairey's "STAR GEAR" logo. This logo reveals a red dot when the move is almost out of power. The Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Shepard Fairey comes in two different variants: Blue and Grey. Each comes with a $28,300 price tag. Source: Hublot

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