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

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By Jordan Aquistapace – November 30, 2020

Audemars Piguet Releases A New Black Ceramic Royal Oak

Many manufacturers within the watch industry hold onto the traditional designs that helped shape the brand, only updating each version with new technology to improve its functionality. Audemars Piguet continues to use the Royal Oak as the test model to fit precious metals and parts, combining timeless design with state-of-the-art equipment. The new Audemars Piguet Double Balance Wheel Openworked features a sleek Black Ceramic design and open face dial, showcasing the workings of the patented innovation. The Double Balance Wheel by Audemars Piguet incorporates a 22k pink gold mechanism to oscillate perfect symphony within the timepiece. The case back of the Royal Oak mirrors the dial, as it highlights the inner workings of the Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Calibre 3132 movement. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in Black Ceramic is currently available for $80,300 by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – November 24, 2020

MB&F Reveal HM4 'Kittyhawk' Designed After Iconic Aircraft

MB&F is celebrating the ten-year anniversary of their HM4 Thunderbolt with the new HM4 'Kittyhawk' timepiece. This new 'Pièce Unique' timepiece was inspired by the iconic Curtiss P-40 aircraft, also known as the 'Kittyhawk', and it shows. Along the sides of the fuselages on the new HM4 'Kittyhawk' are the same shark mouth and eyes design that graced the aircraft. MB&F tapped miniaturist painter Isabelle Villa to create the design for the timepiece and her expertise is on full display. Of course, MB&F applied a final coat of transparent varnish to protect the design. As with the other HM4 timepieces, the two fuselages display only the most important information: power reserve on the left and time on the right (hours and minutes). As mentioned before, this is a Pièce Unique, meaning the HM4 'Kittyhawk' is a true one-of-a-kind creation. Pricing has not been given as of yet.

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 19, 2020

The New Limited Edition Girard-Perregaux X Bamford Watch ...

In the past, we have seen contemporary examples from the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Collection, featuring the Absolute Crystal Rock. The Swiss watchmaker recently collaborated with Bamford Watch Company to create a first-ever rendition of the Laureato, launched in 1975. The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Ghost is a limited-edition example crafted from contemporary white ceramic, using a circular case and octagonal bezel to give off a modern appearance. The new model features a white nylon strap with black contrast stitching to match the dial hands and crown. The release from Girard-Perregaux is limited to 45 pieces, paying homage to the 45 years that the Laureato has been part of the company’s collection. The Laureato Ghost is now available for the price of $13,900. Shop the Girard-Perregaux x Bamford Watch Company Laureato Ghost by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 19, 2020

TAG Heuer Celebrates Jack Heuer's Birthday With A Limited...

TAG Heuer is celebrating the birthday of Jack Heuer with a limited-edition gold Carrera chronograph. He has been a staple to the company as a true visionary since his start in 1958, and continuing as an appointed Honorary Chairman of the family business. The Carrera was chosen to be the platform as it is Jack’s favorite model, as well as the first timepiece that he created entirely in 1963. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition watch is presented in a 42mm 18K red gold case covered by a domed sapphire crystal. The dial includes a sophisticated silver flange paired with 18K red gold indexes and time hands to incorporate the precious metal throughout the timepiece. The black alligator band features Jack Heuer’s signature printed in gold on the inside. The watch will be limited to 188 pieces and will be available in March 2021. Shop the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Limited Edition watch by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 19, 2020

Breitling Introduces The Superocean Heritage '57 Outerknown

Watches have continued to serve a purpose as an aquatic tool since the beginning, blending the luxury aspect with the ability to function under all conditions. Breitling is remaining true to the craft with its 3rd collaboration with Outerknown, a sustainable clothing brand established by pro-surfer Kelly Slater. The platform for the partnership is the Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57, which embodies a minimalistic design as a traditional divers watch. The classy brown colorway flows throughout the dial to the ECONYL yarn strap, with the Outerknown logo subtly displayed. The Breitling x Outerknown Superocean Heritage ’57 is available in a stainless-steel option, as well as a limited 500-piece 18k red gold version. Click the link below to shop the Breitling x Outerknown collection Shop Breitling x Outerknown Outerknown was created by Kelly Slater with one purpose in mind, to provide innovative and functional clothing using relentless sustainability. The company incorporates this eco-friendly process from manufacturing, using organic recycled fibers. The Outerknown men and women collections feature head to toe products with an array of color and style options to choose from. The simplistic and comfortable designs allow for effortless daily wear, whether it is on or off the water. Shop the countless clothing and accessory options from Outerknown by clicking the link below. Shop Outerknown Source: Outerknown

By Edward Jones – November 19, 2020

See the Intricate Creation of the Ulysse Nardin Blast Watch

To create a watch a watchmaker must combine a ton of tiny little pieces in such a perfect way that their final product functions properly. From the tourbillon to the gears and jewels, everything needs to be placed perfectly. In a new video from Ulysse Nardin, we see some of the techniques used when their watchmakers are creating the new and stunning Blast watch. In the video, you'll get an idea of just how small some of the components can be and just how careful the watchmaker must be when placing them. When wearing a fantastic timepiece, like one from Ulysse Nardin, you should be proud of wearing just a work of art. From the engineering and designing phase to the actual construction, a lot goes into these luxurious timepieces. If you'd like to see more of the Ulysse Nardin Blast watch, be sure to click the button below. Visit Ulysse-Nardin.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 18, 2020

Top 10 Automotive Inspired Watches

Watches have always played a key role in the automotive industry. A tool for drivers as well as a platform for manufacturers to collaborate. The uniqueness of design and functions allow for any auto enthusiast to find the perfect watch to represent what they love about motorsports. The difficulty in choosing that kind of timepiece is the endless amount of companies and references that deliver examples in the vast majority of classes. The biggest differentiator is the price, with watches starting under a thousand dollars and reaching a million. It's almost like a staircase that every watch enthusiast hopes to climb, upgrading, and obtaining more exclusive pieces along the way. Our top ten list this week reflects that metaphorical staircase, displaying automotive-inspired watches from least to most expensive. Autodromo Intereuropa $1,250 The Intereuropa watch takes its name from the Coppa Intereuropa race for sporting coupes held at Monza from 1949-1964 as a support race for the Italian Grand Prix.Exquisite alloy-bodied berlinettas by the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia were campaigned by gentleman drivers at the Coppa Intereuropa. Shop Now Ferro Distinct 3.0 Gold Edition $4,900 The Distinct 3.0 Gold Edition Inspired by vintage Le Mans race. With an unmatched level of sophistication, the Distinct 3.0 Gold Edition is sure to captivate even the most discerning watch collector with its retro-inspired, timeless design, and it's even waterproof up to a dizzying 30 meters so you know it'll last. Shop Now Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer Flyback $6,350 The Chronotimer brings lightweight construction to the wrist with the use of high-tech titanium, guaranteeing maximum comfort. Titanium is around 40 percent lighter than steel and has been key to race car engine construction for several decades. The new Porsche Design Werk 01.200 chronograph with flyback function and black P-icon rotor was also inspired by motorsports. Shop Now TAG Heuer X Grand Prix De Monaco Historique $7,050 This Monaco is a 1000 pieces limited-edition, celebrating the partnership with the GPHM (Grand Prix Historique de Monaco). This Monaco stands out even more from the crowd with an exclusive red sunray dial, the iconic square box from the Monaco collection, and our in-house Heuer 02 movement with a 80 h power reserve, visible from the saphire case back. Shop Now Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph Bentley Edition $8,500 This Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley celebrates Breitling’s partnership with one of the great names in luxury motoring. It features a 42 mm stainless steel case. It has a British racing green dial with contrasting black small seconds and 30-minute chronograph counters that indicate the Manufacture mechanical movement inside. Shop Now Rolex Cosmograph Daytona $13,150 An iconic model introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the needs of racing drivers. Fitted with a tachymetric bezel and a high-performance mechanical movement developed and manufactured by Rolex, this chronograph is legendary for its reliability: it is the instrument of choice for measuring time intervals and determining average speeds. Shop Now IWC Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Ceratanium $14,600 Ceratanium® was developed by IWC and combines the advantages of titanium and ceramic in a single material. Based on a titanium alloy, the patented material is as light and rigid as titanium itself but at the same time as hard, wear-free and scratch-resistant as ceramic. Other compelling features are its skin-friendliness, high corrosion-resistance and striking matte black colour. Shop Now Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Unico $29,400 Hublot's partnership with Ferrari allows for unique collaboration collections such as the Big Bang Ferrari Unico. The idea behind the design is to incorporate the attention to detail as well as premium materials just as Ferrari does at the factory in Maranello, Italy. Shop Now Richard Mille RM 11-03 $191,500 Since the brand’s debut, Richard Mille watches have distilled performance in an unparalleled range of areas. To appreciate this, one need look no further than the RM 011. In terms of design, of materials used, of its details, its movement and its extraordinary adaptability, this piece embodies everything the brand stands for. Shop Now Jacob & Co. TT Bugatti La Montre Noire $1,000,000 Jacob & Co. is introducing the one-off TwinTurbo Furious Bugatti La Montre Noire. Encased in 18K black gold and set with natural black baguette-cutsapphires, resulting in a unique all-black aesthetic, this timepiece channels the spirit of both remarkable cars, combining the grand complication of the Twin Turbo Furious with the singular history of La Voiture Noire. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 17, 2020

Audemars Piguet Unveils Two Iconic Models Featuring A Fly...

Each collection by Audemars Piguet features a timeless design matched with state-of-the-art movement technology, all being consistently updated to keep customers ahead of the curve. The luxury Swiss timepiece manufacturer announced that two of its most coveted models are receiving a complicated Self-Winding Flying Tourbillon for the first time ever. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Code 11.59 are the recipients of the Manufacture Caliber 2950, which combines a flying tourbillion with a central rotor. Visually, each Audemars Piguet will feature a partial transparent dial located at the 6 o’clock position, allowing for a closer look at the complicated movement. The already sought-after pieces from Audemars Piguet just became more collectible with the updated mechanism added, originally developed in 2018. Shop the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Code 11.59 featuring the Self-Winding Flying Tourbillon by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 17, 2020

Hublot Collaborates With Berluti On A Limited Edition Big...

A timepiece can complete an outfit by complimenting the style worn by the individual. The best way to help portray that inspiration is by combining a luxury watch manufacturer with a high-end men’s fashion house. This ideal collaboration is what Hublot is doing with the emblematic designer Berluti on the newest limited-edition Big Bang Unico example. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown watch was elegantly designed using materials incorporated in men’s fashion, and now for the first time, a Hublot timepiece. The Cold Brown Venezia Leather is reflected throughout the bezel, dial, and strap with help from Kris Van Assche, Creative Director of Berluti. The Unico Automatic Chronograph is a 45mm case that holds a water resistance of 100-meters, as well as a 72-hour power reserve. The limited 100-piece release from Hublot x Berluti combines the aspects of a luxury handmade timepiece with the high-end design qualities from French-inspired fashion. Shop the Hublot Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown watch by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2020

TAG Heuer Upgrades Their Connected Smart Watch With New F...

TAG Heuer's Connected watch is getting some new styling options just in time for the Holiday season. First up are the new strap options that join the polished steel and colorful rubber straps that are already available. These new options include the green and brown nubuck and rubber straps that are both sporty and stylish. These are perfect options for those looking for something between the stainless steel bracelet and rubber straps. On top of these new straps, TAG Heuer has also announced the new Synopsis watch face. This new face allows the wearer to set six different options to show on the face, giving them the ability to create a watch face that's perfectly customized to their everyday needs. This includes the ability to show the date, miles ran/cycled/walk, next event, power reserve, a second time zone and more. This face is also available in eight different colors. TAG Heuer has also announced a reskin for the Classic watch face that's designed after the Tag Heuer Carrera collection and chronograph complications. For more information, be sure to click the button below to visit TAGHeuer.com. Visit TAGHeuer.com

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