Watches

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 17, 2026

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

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 16, 2026

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

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 06, 2026

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

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 04, 2026

Zenith Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary With a Patriotic Chronomaster Revival

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary today, brands are finding ways to honor the nation’s milestone and its influence with special-edition releases that reflect the longstanding story of American spirit. For the Swiss watchmakers at Zenith, America’s impact on their industry and production came in the mid-19th century, when founder Favre-Jacot traveled to the U.S. and took an interest in the efficiency behind the American industrial movement. Operating under the traditional “établissage” system, where components were produced separately before final assembly, Zenith adopted the industrial approach to keep all production under one roof. Zenith is proud to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with the release of its all-new Chronomaster Revival Liberty II, limited in each version to mark the special occasion. Representing such an important part of American history, Zenith chose to feature one of its most symbolic references for the limited release, the A384 from 1969. Its distinctive 37mm tonneau-shaped case is available in both traditional stainless steel (limited to 250 pieces) and a more modern, lightweight forged carbon version (limited to 25 pieces).The dial itself showcases a white-lacquered finish with a contrasting chronograph hand, featuring 13 red and white stripes in reference to the original 13 colonies. In addition to the sub-dials, the tachymeter scale is painted blue, with the “250” and the “4” on the date disc in red as a nod to the colors of the American flag.Underneath it all, the Chronomaster Revival is powered by Zenith’s legendary El Primero 400 caliber, derived directly from the world-renowned, in-house movement from 1969, which also happens to be the world’s first automatic, integrated high-frequency chronograph. The mechanism is visible through an openworked caseback, with commemorative engravings on the outer case that read “America 250th Anniversary” and “One of 250”. The more traditional steel variant comes fitted on a matching stainless-steel bracelet, with an extra strap, while its lightwieght counterpart features a blue Cordura rubber strap for a more sporty look and feel. The all-new Zenith Chronomaster Revival Liberty II is now available at authorized U.S. boutiques, starting at $10,600 for the stainless steel and $13,400 for the forged carbon version.

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 29, 2026

Richard Mille Reveals The New RM 64-01 Tourbillon 'Colnago'

Richard Mille has always found itself not only at the forefront of the luxury watch world, but also at the center of some of the biggest names in sports, whether in the ocean depths of freediving or inside the cockpit of an F1 race car. Cycling has become another natural fit for the brand over the years, partnering with riders like Tadej Pogačar, Mark Cavendish, and Mathieu van der Poel while continuing to push the similarities between both industries: lightweight engineering, precision, and performance. Now, Richard Mille is taking that relationship a step further with the new RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago.Instead of creating a logo-heavy collaboration, Richard Mille and the legendary Italian bicycle builder focused on what both brands do best: engineering. Limited to just 50 pieces, the RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago takes inspiration from Colnago's iconic racing bikes, with a skeletonized movement resembling a road bike frame and a design that mirrors a bicycle's drivetrain. Even the titanium bridges borrow the star-shaped tubing that made Colnago's Master frames famous among cyclists in the 1980s.Inside the watch is Richard Mille's manually wound RM64-01 caliber, made of 274 components and offering a 65-hour power reserve. Like the movement, the case is built with weight savings in mind, using White Quartz TPT® alongside a new Azure Blue Quartz TPT® developed specifically for this watch. Gold accents appear throughout the watch as well, marking one of the first times 5N red gold has played such a role on one of Richard Mille's sports watches.The best collaborations usually happen when two brands share the same philosophy, and that's exactly what makes the RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago work. Richard Mille didn't just put a bicycle name on the dial, nor did Colnago lend its badge to another limited edition. Instead, both companies focused on what they know best: building lightweight, high-performance machines where everything has a purpose. For collectors of Richard Mille watches, cycling enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates mechanical beauty, it's one of the most thoughtful watch collaborations this year.

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 24, 2026

From Track to Wrist: The Best Porsche Design Watches

Traditionally showcasing its talents on the race track, Porsche prides itself on offering a selection of performance-focused sports cars and SUVs. With a true passion for design, founder F.A. Porsche began the brand’s lifestyle division by creating a coveted timepiece titled Chronograph 1. Porsche Design continues to evolve with an array of products and accessories while maintaining its efforts on expanding its collection of automotive-inspired watches. Along with special edition examples and custom configurations, Porsche Design also presents exclusive vehicle watches that are offered only to clients with an allocation. The diversity and heritage within Porsche Design’s luxury timepieces are what makes them one of the most celebrated among collectors and enthusiasts. With so many incredible models to choose from, this is our carefully curated list of the best Porsche-inspired watches ever created. Learn more about each luxury timepiece featured in this special by clicking on the links below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury watch news and releases. Shop Porsche Does Porsche make its own watches? Porsche itself doesn't actually make watches, but its design division, Porsche Design, does. So, while Porsche cars and Porsche Design watches come from the same family, the watches are crafted by specialized experts dedicated to performance timepieces that carry that Porsche spirit on your wrist. Are Porsche Design watches made by IWC? Porsche Design watches used to be made by IWC. Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, they teamed up to create some iconic pieces. But these days, Porsche Design handles its own watchmaking. They’ve brought everything in-house, focusing on their own style and tech to create modern watches that really capture that Porsche vibe. Do Porsche Design watches hold value? When it comes to holding value, they're not typically the kind of watches that skyrocket in price like some vintage Rolex or Patek models. That said, Porsche Design watches are known for their solid build quality, distinctive styling, and strong brand heritage, which is linked to Porsche's automotive excellence, which helps them maintain a decent resale value over time. If you pick a limited edition or a model with some rare features, it could hold or even increase its value a bit more. When was the first Porsche Design watch created? The first Porsche Design watch came out back in 1972. It was a pretty big deal because it was one of the first all-black watches on the market. Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition Shop Now Chronograph 1 – All Black Numbered Edition Shop Now Smartwatch Porsche x Garmin® Epix Pro Shop Now Chronograph 1 Utility – Limited Edition Shop Now Chronograph - Watchmakers' Choice Speed Yellow Shop Now Chronograph 1 - PCA Member Edition Shop Now Chronograph 1 – 75 Years of Porsche Edition Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 11, 2026

Steve McQueen Screen-Worn Monaco Could Smash Records at Auction

I believe the phrase goes, “heroes get remembered, but legends never die”, and that proves especially true for American actor Steve McQueen, whose roles on the big screen shaped him into both a movie star and style icon for years to come. His legacy lives on through cult classics like the 1971 film Le Mans, directed by Lee H. Katzin depicts the renowned and grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Even more recognizable than the man himself is the wristwatch that he made famous, the TAG Heuer Monaco, worn on screen while behind the wheel of the Gulf Racing Porsche 917K (chassis 917-022). Offering watch collectors the opportunity of a lifetime, Sotheby’s Watches is proud to showcase an actual Steve McQueen screen-worn Heuer Monaco (reference 1133B) as part of its upcoming ‘Important Watches’ auction event in NYC on June 15th. Estimated between $500,000 and $1,000,000, this specific Heuer Monaco belonged to the Property Master for Le Mans, Don Nunley, who kept the watch in his personal collection before it was acquired by a private collector on April 24th, 2008. This watch carries the kind of character you can’t replicate. It’s the result of time, use, and history rather than restoration. The case shows honest wear throughout, including a small dent near seven o’clock, subtle reminders of a life lived rather than preserved, while still retaining its original shape. The real story, though, is on the dial. Its deep blue tone remains striking, but it’s the aging that stands out most, now softened into a warm cream, almost golden-orange patina that vintage collectors dream of.The sale of the watch comes accompanied by a lockbox labeled “1970 LE MANS”, containing over 400 documents from the archive of Don Nunley, as well as over 200 photographic reproductions from the same archive. A sworn and signed affidavit by Don Nunley, dated September 9th, 2016, attests that the watch was “worn by Steve McQueen most often throughout the film and on set,” together with a signed letter from Don Nunley dated May 21st, 2009. Stay tuned into duPont REGISTRY for auction results on Sotheby’s ‘Important Watches’ NYC auction featuring this Le Mans Steve McQueen screen-worn Heuer Monaco. Source: Sotheby's

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 11, 2026

MB&F Reveals The $384,000 HM12 The Guardian Watch

Small batch, independent watchmaking comes with its perks. Without having to stick to the traditional designs and processes of mass-produced luxury watches, independent watchmakers have complete creative control. It’s an art mastered by visionaries like Max Büsser, who has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of watchmaking through exclusive collaborations. As part of the iconic Horological Machines Collection, Büsser partnered with Maximilian Maertens to launch the all-new MB&F HM12 The Guardian, pairing an incredibly complex watch with a towering robot companion designed to house and work with it. GALLERY-EMBED At the center of it all is the HM12 itself, shaped like the head of a futuristic robot, with the time displayed through two “eyes” using jumping hours on one side and trailing minutes on the other. Above them is an exposed flying tourbillon that acts as the robot’s “brain,” while below is a double-sided micro-rotor shaped like MB&F’s signature battle-axe. The movement, developed entirely in-house, packs an impressive 646 components, 86 jewels, and an 84-hour power reserve.The most notable feature is the watch’s mechanical "face shield." Controlled by the left-side crown, a pair of movable shields can be opened or closed to reveal or conceal the dial. It’s not just a visual gimmick, either. The shield mechanism alone contains more than 200 individual parts, making it more mechanically complicated than most complete watches. Every HM12 comes with "The Guardian," a 15-inch-tall mechanical robot developed with longtime MB&F collaborator L’Epée 1839. More than a simple display stand, the robot serves as a functional companion piece. The watch can be detached from its strap and mounted directly onto the robot’s head, while its body hides a built-in thermometer, an integrated loupe for inspecting the movement, and a removable UV flashlight that illuminates the Super-LumiNova.Together, the duo is made up of nearly 1,500 components and sparks the same science fiction stories that inspired them. Available in blue, green, and purple, the MB&F HM12 The Guardian will be limited to just 12 examples of each color, for a total production run of only 36 sets worldwide. Source: MB&F

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 09, 2026

Andy Warhol’s Patek Philippe Leads Christie’s NYC Watch Auction

If there’s one thing to learn about luxury watches in 2026, it’s that the collector and vintage auction market remains bigger and better than ever before, with headline auction houses reporting record-breaking sales figures and sell-through rates. Popularity has shifted from soaring brand-new boutique resales to a space more carefully curated around watches with historical significance and stories from past owners. The team at Christie’s is proud to give the watch world what it wants with the announcement of its ‘Important Watches’ live auction event, taking place on June 12th at Christie’s Rockefeller Center. It also follows Christie’s record-setting momentum out of Geneva, where a Cartier “London Crash” smashed expectations at over $2 million, setting a new auction record for the model and supporting Cartier’s grip on the collector market. Patek Philippe reference 3448G, one of only two known transitional 3448s to feature the rare “red dot” leap year indication At the top of the catalog is the ultra-rare Patek Philippe Ref. 3448G “Red Dot,” a white gold grail with its unique leap year indicator and only a handful of known examples in existence. From modern Patek, the diamond-heavy Nautilus Haute Joaillerie Ref. 5980/1400G-010, while Richard Mille’s RM022 “Red” Aerodyne brings the brand’s signature futuristic style to the auction block. Buyers also get a strong selection of design-driven classics, like the Cartier Baignoire Allongée from 1970 and an Audemars Piguet 18K white gold jumping hour from the late 1920s, both showing how vintage has become even more collectible alongside modern pieces. Cartier 18K Gold Tank Normale Gifted to David O. Selznick by Jock Whitney to Mark Gone With the Wind Premiere Where this sale really hits another level is the original origin of these watches. A Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 570, once owned by Andy Warhol, stands out as a heavy hitter, tying Swiss watchmaking to one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. A 1939 Cartier Tank Normale from the Selznick family connects Hollywood history, Gone With the Wind, and old-school Cartier luxury, while presidential ties to Lyndon B. Johnson appear through two Tiffany-signed Patek Philippe Calatravas commissioned with the “Golden Rule” dial. Add in decades of watches from collectors like Todd Michael Glaser, and the sale becomes all about the stories these watches carry through time. Richard Mille RM 022 “Aerodyne” Dual Time Zone in red Quartz TPT® Source: Christie's

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 03, 2026

Tudor's New Black Bay Chrono 'Bumblebee' Is Impossible To Miss

When Tudor first released the Black Bay Chrono at Baselworld in 2017 as an homage to its historic chronographs from the 70s and 90s, it took on a modest design with a simple black dial and matching stainless-steel bezel. Since then, it has evolved into a flagship model for the brand, embracing a more colorful identity that uses the dial as a canvas for creative and unexpected combinations of color. We’ve witnessed it with David Beckham’s ‘Pink’ model for Inter Miami CF, and even inside the Miami F1 Grand Prix paddock with the ‘Flamingo Blue’ edition. Today, the Swiss watchmakers at Tudor are adding even more color to their lineup of modern chronographs with the release of the all-new Black Bay Chrono 30 ‘Bumblebee’, part of the Tudor Daring Watches collection. The eye-catching new model still retains Tudor’s robust yet comfortable 39mm case diameter, crafted in 316L stainless steel, with a black anodized aluminum tachymeter bezel that adds to the buzz, no pun intended. The beauty lies inside its sapphire crystal, where its domed “Bumblebee” yellow dial contrasts with black circular sub-dials, fitted with “snowflake” hands as an homage to the brand’s original design introduced in 1969. Underneath it all, Tudor’s in-house MT5813 self-winding mechanical chronograph movement powers the watch, showcasing an impressive 70-hour power reserve from a caliber made up of 346 components. Functions include hours and minutes at the center, chronograph seconds at the center, chronograph 45-minute counter at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock, date counter at 6 o’clock, and stop-seconds for precision timing. Rounding off its traditional yet modern look and feel, Tudor fits the “Bumblebee” Chrono on a matching stainless steel three-link bracelet with an easy “T-fit” rapid adjustment clasp. The all-new Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 “Bumblebee” is now available at authorized boutiques worldwide, with a retail price of $6,725. Source: Tudor

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