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 – November 12, 2025

$17.8M Patek Philippe Sets a New World-Record at Phillips...

The Patek of all Pateks just made its mark on the watch world. There are auction moments that feel bigger than the final hammer price, and the recent Phillips Geneva "Decade One" event offered one of those, with a sale that rocked the watch world. When it came time for the steel Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 to make its grand debut for all to see, the room held its breath. Only four of these watches are known to exist, and this particular example, believed to be the very first steel 1518 ever made, carries a kind of significance that exceeds numbers. Originally sold in 1944 to a Budapest collector, it tells the story of a company inventing the modern complicated wristwatch as we know it, back when the idea of a perpetual calendar chronograph was still something close to science fiction. What makes this reference so important isn't just how few exist, but how complete the story feels from day one. Built in 1943, the watch retains all the original details, including crisp lugs, authentic pushers, and a beautifully aged dial crafted by Stern Frères. Its movement even displays hand-engraved touches that today feel almost impossibly personal. Collectors have long called the steel reference 1518 a "holy grail," but that term only hints at its weight. It's the kind of watch that sits in the same space as a first-series Ferrari 250 GTO, not because it's shiny or expensive, but because it changed what came after it. To hold one is to touch a piece of how Patek Philippe defined modern watchmaking, and how Geneva itself became the heart of horological artistry. The eight-figure sale reminded collectors why watches like this matter in the first place. Looking past the record price and headlines, Patek Philippe's Ref. 1518 in steel represents an era when a wristwatch could both measure time and write its own history. For anyone who loves vintage horology, it's a moment worth pausing for, just to appreciate how far the craft has come and how pieces like this keep its story alive. Source: Phillips Watches

Close-up of a Richard Mille RM 63-02 luxury watch with a skeleton dial, red and white accents, and multiple city names around the bezel, showcasing its Automatic Worldtimer functionality.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 17, 2025

Travel Made Tangible: Richard Mille Debuts Its New RM 63-...

Beyond being a stylish luxury accessory that just so happens to tell time, the wristwatch has spent more than two centuries evolving as a true functional tool. From tracking oxygen reserves in the deepest depths of the ocean to accompanying astronauts to the surface of the moon, every watch truly serves a purpose through design, ingenuity, and craftsmanship. World travelers are among those who share a niche space in haute horology as they command the most complex movements to help track and shift timezones depending on where you're jet-setting. The all-new Richard Mille RM 63-02 Automatic Worldtimer is that nod to travel. Limited to just 100 pieces, it’s a watch that speaks to those who find meaning in the rhythm in an on-the-go lifestyle. Its circular case comes crafted from a mix of red gold and titanium, with a rotating bezel that turns it into something quietly brilliant. Instead of the usual pushers or crown, the worldtimer function works through an oddly satisfying and simple twist of the bezel. The system connects directly to the movement, adjusting the local time to whichever city rests at 12 o’clock and automatically shifting the rest of the world’s zones with it. A two-tone day and night disc helps ground your sense of time, even when your body’s unsure of what hour it really is. Inside, the RM 63-02 runs on the in-house CRMA4 automatic calibre, built from grade 5 titanium for strength without adding unwanted weight. Much of its design is visible from the dial side, bridges brushed and rhodium-coated, gears moving in plain view, and a large date at 12 o’clock, operated by a gold pusher at 11. The RM 63-02 doesn’t try to reinvent the idea of the travel watch but instead it refines it, making the experience of changing time zones as easy as glancing out an airplane window. For those who live their lives between destinations, it’s a reminder that the measure of time can still feel human. Source: Richard Mille

Three black Omega Speedmaster chronograph watches are displayed side by side against a dark background, with the center watch featuring a red second hand.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2025

OMEGA Debuts The New Speedmaster Dark and Grey Side of th...

The next evolution of the Speedmaster. Since its successful mission as the first Omega in space aboard the Sigma 7 in 1962, the Speedmaster has only soared in popularity amongst watch enthusiasts and horological purists. It's a model best described as quintessential to the watch world, representing a literal breakthrough in the industry and the possibilities of what wristwatches can truly achieve. Now, decades after its spotlight in space, Omega continues to honor its flagship model with modern renditions that highlight new materials and movement technology as part of its ongoing evolution as an icon. Today, that legacy continues with the debut of the Speedmaster Dark and Grey Side of the Moon Collection, featuring seven distinctive versions that showcase an all-new ceramic finish. Twelve years after the original Dark Side of the Moon turned heads, Omega's 2025 finally found its next step. After the Apollo 8 model earned Master Chronometer certification, the new Dark Side pieces build on that precision but also feel lighter, sharper, and more deliberate on the wrist. The biggest changes are in the details. OMEGA has refined its ceramic work to create bevelled, polished surfaces that play with light in subtle ways, and the cases have been slimmed slightly while keeping the familiar 44.25mm case size. Bezels and crowns now use Liquidmetal™ for extra durability, and the two-layer ceramic dials are laser-brushed. The Black Edition Co-Axial Master Chronometer 9908 offers a slimmer, manual-winding option with a matte dial and a red chronograph hand for a sporty touch. The classic Dark Side of the Moon has been reworked with a layered ceramic dial and Liquidmetal™ tachymeter. At the same time, an all-black version pushes the stealthy look even further with darkened movement parts and Super-LumiNova indexes. And for those drawn to space history, the Apollo 8 edition is a little showstopper, with the lunar surface etched into the movement, so you can see both the near and far sides of the Moon. Straps get a subtle but thoughtful update too. Nylon now has a rubber backing for comfort, and the new rubber options even feature lunar patterns on the reverse side as a quiet nod to Omega's space legacy. The 2025 Dark Side collection is now available at authorized boutiques worldwide. Source: Omega

A luxury Zenith DEFY Zero G wristwatch with a blue dial, visible mechanical parts, and a blue leather strap from the Sapphire Collection, displayed on geometric blocks against a white background.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 14, 2025

Zenith Debuts Its All-New $207,500 DEFY Zero G Sapphire C...

As the luxury watch world grows larger by the day, with innovative new brands and watchmakers with a fresh take on an age-old art, being a pioneer with over a century of history adds that extra layer of heritage and authenticity. For Zenith, and its now 160-year legacy, watchmaking has transformed into the perfect balancing act between tradition and innovation. The new DEFY Zero G Sapphire limited editions take one of Zenith’s most mind-bending complications and wrap it in crystal-clear artistry. Offered in two variations, one transparent and one in deep blue sapphire, each model is limited to just ten pieces worldwide. At the heart of it all is the Zero G movement, a concept Zenith introduced back in 2008 that still feels ahead of its time. Instead of using a tourbillon to average out positional errors caused by gravity, Zenith’s system eliminates the issue by keeping the regulating organ perfectly level through a gimbal-mounted “Gravity Control” module. Think of it like a ship’s chronometer scaled down to wristwatch size, with a miniature system of gears guaranteeing constant torque no matter the position. It’s one of those mechanisms that you could stare at for hours, not just to admire the complexity, but to appreciate how something so technical can feel perfect in motion. The sapphire design turns that motion into a show. The transparent model lets light pour through every angle of the El Primero 8812S movement, while the blue sapphire edition, with its lapis lazuli dial sprinkled with gold-like pyrite, is almost celestial. The 46mm sapphire case might sound bold, but it looks surprisingly light on the wrist, another illusion that fits the Zero G’s theme. Zenith has managed something more subtle in a world where many brands chase spectacle. Source: Zenith Watches

Three men in Mercedes-AMG Petronas team uniforms wearing headsets watch monitors intently inside a Formula 1 garage, with Toto Wolff focused on strategy alongside his team.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 09, 2025

Toto Wolff's Race-Worn IWC x Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Wat...

A chance to own a piece of F1 history. While an infinite number of variables can determine a driver's success on track, time in itself remains the primary focus of racing across all types of motorsports. And before Formula 1 evolved into a tech-driven sport supported by the most innovative and precise tools, the common wristwatch served as the timing tool for both the weekend track members and Le Mans-winning professionals. It's the longstanding correlation between both worlds that IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 have highlighted in the partnership for the past 21 years. In yet a rare collaboration between motorsport and haute horlogerie, IWC Schaffhausen, Bonhams, and Laureus Sport for Good have come together for a remarkable charity auction. Up for bidding is one of only 100 pieces of the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, the very watch worn by the Mercedes F1 CEO and Team Principal himself during the recent Singapore Grand Prix. The watch, capable of withstanding more than 30,000 g of acceleration, was engineered by IWC's experimental division XPL and showcases the brand's all-new SPRIN-g PROTECT® system. The winning bidder will also receive a signed team polo shirt from Wolff as a personal touch to the already significant collector's piece. 2025 Singapore Grand Prix , Friday, Jiri Krenek Since 2005, IWC Schaffhausen has been a proud Global Partner of Laureus Sport for Good, an organization that uses the power of sport to help children overcome adversity. The Laureus Foundation Switzerland, which will receive all proceeds from the auction, supports over 15,000 children annually through six social sports programs aimed at inclusion, development, and well-being. Each year, IWC donates a unique timepiece to be auctioned at the Laureus Charity Night in Zurich, and this year's collaboration with Bonhams expands the opportunity globally through online bidding from October 15th to 25th. Now, Wolff's own race-worn watch will go under the hammer, with an estimate between CHF80,000 and CHF200,000 ($99,400 - 248,500). All Bonhams Cars Inventory Source: IWC Schaffhausen

Close-up of a Girard-Perregaux Laureato FIFTY wristwatch featuring a textured black dial, gold hour markers and hands, a date window showing "28," and a gold and steel bezel.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 08, 2025

Girard-Perregaux Unveils the Laureato FIFTY as an Homage ...

For half a century, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato has stood as one of the defining icons of the luxury sports watch category. Debuted in 1975, during the golden era of integrated bracelets, the Laureato found its own niche among watch enthusiasts who appreciated style over flash. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Girard-Perregaux reveals the all-new Laureato FIFTY, limited to only 200 pieces worldwide. True to its heritage, the Laureato FIFTY maintains the cues that have made the watch so recognizable, including the octagonal bezel, tonneau-shaped case, and perfectly integrated bracelet. Measuring at 39mm across and just 9.8mm thick, the watch retains its steel and 3N yellow gold combination that nods to the original bicolor model from 1975. Its deep grey dial, detailed with a Clous de Paris texture and 3N gold accents, represents timeless style. At the same time, small touches like the GP double-arrow counterweight and color-matched date wheel reveal Girard-Perregaux's attention to detail. Beneath the sapphire crystal lies the newly developed GP4800 automatic movement, an in-house caliber showcasing GP's longstanding dedication to manufacturing independence. Through the caseback, owners can admire the oscillating weight in 3N yellow gold and the design's subtle homage to Girard-Perregaux's legendary Three Bridges architecture. Completing the new look is a steel-and-gold bracelet that has been subtly re-engineered for comfort. Shorter links improve flexibility, while a discreet micro-adjustment system allows a perfect fit for daily wear. The all-new Girard-Perregaux Laureato FIFTY is now available through authorized dealers with a price of $28,320. Source: Girard-Perregaux

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 07, 2025

Bulova Marks 150 Years with Limited-Edition Shelby Racing...

Bulova celebrates 150 years with a limited-edition chronograph inspired by the 1967 Shelby GT500. Bulova is celebrating its 150th anniversary by unveiling a new limited-edition Shelby Racing Chronograph that pays tribute to both its racing history and one of America's most iconic muscle cars. Officially licensed and visually inspired by the 1967 Shelby GT500, the watch combines Carroll Shelby's unmistakable design with Bulova's Precisionist movement, offering a watch that highlights 150 years of watchmaking. Limited to 7,500 pieces worldwide, it's now available with a special presentation box that includes a 1:24 scale die-cast model of the GT500. Bulova's connection to motorsports runs deep. As the official timekeeper for NASCAR and IndyCar events during the 1960s and 1970s, the New York-based brand has certainly earned a reputation in the industry. The Shelby Racing Chronograph carries that spirit forward with a 43mm silver-tone stainless steel bullhead case, a black tachymeter ring, and a sapphire crystal dial window for durability. Shelby's signature blue and white colorway appears on the strap and dial accents, while the Cobra logo is proudly displayed at the 3 o'clock register. More than just tech specs, the watch embodies Bulova's heritage. From its early beginnings in Lower Manhattan in 1875 to its modern standing as a New York icon, the brand has continually pushed the boundaries of watchmaking. The limited-edition Shelby Racing Chronograph integrates that tradition with automotive history, honoring Carroll Shelby's vision and the legendary GT500 in a wearable, functional tribute. Shop Now Source: Bulova

RO_26545XT-OO-1240XT-01_Still_Life_01_16x9.DIGITAL

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 01, 2025

The Royal Oak “Jumbo” RD#5 Marks a First-Ever for Audemar...

While cemented in the history of haute horlogerie for its role as a pioneer, with 150 years of expertise to back its reputation, Audemars Piguet prides itself on using innovation and momentum to pave its own path. In addition to pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking with modern materials and complex movements, the brand is heavily involved in preserving the timeless style and DNA of its most influential model, the Royal Oak. It's a legacy that began as a mere sketch from the mind of Gérald Genta and continues to evolve through like-minded horologists who take pride in carrying on his vision. Today, Audemars Piguet is excited to add to its 150th anniversary by unveiling the Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5. The new Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 is a glimpse into where the brand sees the future of complications. Limited to just 150 pieces, the RD#5 represents five years of development and debuts the all-new Calibre 8100, a movement entirely reimagined to create the perfect balance of thinness, ergonomics, and precision. At just 39mm in diameter and 8.1mm thick, the titanium case with metallic glass accents stays true to the original proportions that made the "Jumbo" an icon back in 1972, while introducing a set of complications never before seen in the model's history. What makes the RD#5 fascinating is how it redefines comfort in a category not usually known for it. The chronograph pushers, for example, were redesigned to engage with the ease of a smartphone button rather than the force of a traditional mechanical chrono. The flying tourbillon at six o'clock adds an aesthetic touch without breaking the Royal Oak's understated look. This is the first time a Royal Oak "Jumbo" has carried both a flyback chronograph and a flying tourbillon, and it does so without compromising the clean geometry of Gérald Genta's legendary design. It feels like a watch made not just to impress, but to be worn, which is perhaps the highest compliment a watch lover can give to a timepiece. Source: Audemars Piguet

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By Jordan Aquistapace – September 23, 2025

Roger Dubuis Unveils The Enchanter Merlin As Part of Its ...

In its simplest form, the wristwatch has always been a tool to measure time, but in the hands of Roger Dubuis, it becomes a canvas for legend, art, and mechanical mastery. Returning to folklore, the watchmaker continues its Knights of the Round Table series with the all-new Excalibur Knights of the Round Table, The Enchanter Merlin. The 28-piece limited edition watch combines storytelling with haute horology, capturing the magic of Merlin’s crystal palace built for the Lady of the Lake. Since 2013, Roger Dubuis has used its Knights of the Round Table collection to connect mechanical innovation with narrative drama. This latest chapter elevates that with a dial designed like a miniature stage. Built from a base of 18K pink gold, the dial rises with 56 individual columns crafted from Murano glass, enamel, rhodium-plated gold, and pink gold. The brand introduces its “invisibility” diamond setting for the first time, with hexagonal diamonds mounted seamlessly on certain columns. Beneath, crystals shimmer like a still lake, linking back to the story of Merlin’s sanctuary. Around the dial stand twelve individually engraved knights in 18K pink gold, each one unique. The automatic RD821 caliber is hand-finished to the demanding standards of the Poinçon de Genève, with 172 components and 14 finishing techniques worked into its construction. The 45mm 18K pink gold case carries detail, from its sword guard-inspired crown protector to its stained-glass–style oscillating weight visible through the sapphire caseback. With only 28 watches made, the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table, The Enchanter Merlin, is as much an artifact of legend as it is of horology. Stacked from 45 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4) Source: Roger Dubuis

A silver luxury wristwatch by Glashütte Original, featuring a blue skeleton dial and black leather strap, is displayed on a metallic surface with a blurred background—an exquisite limited edition from the PanoMaticCalendar collection.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 10, 2025

Glashütte Original Launches Its Exclusive PanoMaticCalend...

Glashütte Original just unveiled a new limited-edition PanoMaticCalendar, and it’s one of those watches that quietly reminds you why German watchmaking carries such a special weight in the watch world. Limited to only 150 pieces, the platinum-cased annual calendar features a detailed “Blue of Dawn” dial finish as an homage to the quiet early hours when Glashütte’s watchmakers prefer to work. Long before the workshops fill with chatter, they’ve been at their benches, taking advantage of the silence and serenity of morning. This new PanoMaticCalendar is more of a nod to those early risers who keep the wheels of time moving. The watch's 42mm platinum case houses Glashütte's in-house Calibre 92-11, a self-winding movement with a silicon balance spring for improved precision and resistance. The dial is a perfect blend of skeletonized engineering and deep blue accents, giving visual insight into the layers of mechanics behind the design. Highlights include a retrograde month display curved elegantly between 3 and 6 o’clock, a Panorama Date at 4 o’clock, and a moon phase at 2 o’clock featuring a hand-crafted starry sky. Flip the watch over, and the details continue with an expertly finished movement visible through a sapphire caseback. The Glashütte stripe finish on the rhodium-plated three-quarter plate, polished steel parts, and beveled edges showcase the brand’s dedication to traditional Saxon craftsmanship. And while the watch speaks to high-end horology, it doesn’t sacrifice practicality, offering a 100-hour power reserve, solid everyday usability, and interchangeable strap options from Louisiana alligator leather to high-quality fabric. For collectors who value both technical innovation and the traditional art of watchmaking, Glashütte Original's release feels like a perfect meeting of the two. Source: Glashütte Original

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