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 – February 22, 2023

H.Moser's New Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Tantalum Blue ...

H. Moser continues to push the boundaries of innovation and haute horology with the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Tantalum Blue Enamel.

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By Jordan Aquistapace – February 17, 2023

Top Watch News This Week

A quick recap on the luxury watches releases and industry news this week. Recently, We created duPont REGISTRY Watches as a new Instagram page dedicated to posting the newest and most exclusive luxury timepieces. Today, we have compiled a list of the top watch releases of the week from the best brands in the industry. Click any of the links below for more information on the current watches. The 10 Most Expensive Watches In The World Patek Philippe LEARN MORE Clocking Miles: 3 Spectacular World-Time Watches Worth Your Time A. Lange & Sonhe LEARN MORE Roger Dubuis Reveals Its New $154,500 Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone MB Roger Dubuis LEARN MORE Ulysse Nardin’s New Blast Tourbillon Blue Gold Is The Perfect Example Of Haute Horology Ulysse Nardin LEARN MORE

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 15, 2023

Ulysse Nardin's New Blast Tourbillon Blue Gold Is The Per...

Ulysse Nardin's Blast Collection embodies the essence of Haute Horology through a lineup of innovative luxury watches that incorporate precious metals and highly-complex movements. Ulysse Nardin is proud to present its newest Blast Tourbillon Blue Gold, featuring the brand's first-ever fusion of elegant rose gold and tones of dark blue. The Blast Tourbillon's robust 45mm case presents an 18k rose gold construction and blue PVD titanium to pay homage to the Swiss watchmaker's DNA. MUST-READ: The 10 Most Expensive Watches In The World While Ulysse Nardin's skeleton dial offers insight into meticulous craftsmanship, true beauty lies in the visible Tourbillon at the 6 o'clock position. An in-house UN-172 movement houses the flying tourbillon, using 137 components to operate its hours, minutes, escapement wheel, anchor, and balance wheel functions. Shaping itself as a reliable everyday watch, Ulysse Nardin equips the Blast Tourbillon with a comfortable blue rubber strap and matching rose gold/blue titanium folding clasp. The new Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Blue Gold is currently available through an authorized retailer for $67,000. Ulysse Nardin

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By Jordan Aquistapace – February 14, 2023

Roger Dubuis Reveals Its New $154,500 Excalibur Blackligh...

Limited to just 28 pieces, the Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone™ Monobalancier is a marvel within the world of haute horology. For avid watch collectors, it's important to have a show-stopping luxury timepiece that serves its purpose as a true conversation piece. Roger Dubuis prides itself on offering an array of modern variations that unleash the full potential of colorful luminescence. Adding yet another example of radiant aesthetics and excelled performance to its Blacklight Collection, Roger Debut is excited to showcase the all-new Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone Monobalancier. The 42mm EON Gold case features a bezel set with vibrant precious stones graded from red to blue, coated in Super-Luminova that shines in full color at all times. MUST-READ: The 10 Most Expensive Watches In The World The Excalibur's skeletonized dial is crafted from matching EON Gold and set with spin stones with gradient hues to give off the same colorful effect. The watch is powered by Roger Dubuis in-house RD720SQ movement with an increased 72-hour power reserve and improved durability. The exclusive piece comes fit on a premium white calf leather strap with a pink gold deployant clasp. The all-new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone Monobalancier is limited to only 28 pieces and currently available for $154,500. Roger Dubuis

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 07, 2023

MB&F Releases Its $172K Legacy Machine No.2 In Palladium,...

Legacy Machine No.2 lies at the highest end of the horological spectrum. Inside the mind of legendary watchmaker Max Büsser lies a desirable collection of creative timepieces that shape the MB&F brand. Manufacturing luxury watches using innovative designs and premium materials, the Legacy Machine line transforms the everyday formal dress watch into a horological masterpiece. MB&F is proud to reveal the new Legacy Machine LM2 in a limited-edition Palladium version. With one of the world’s most precious metals, the LM2’s 44mm case is crafted from lightweight yet strong Palladium. MUST-READ: MB&F Introduces The LM Sequential EVO With Its First-Ever Dual-Chronograph Design Its aesthetically-pleasing dial design offers an up-close look at the engineering behind the LM2, suspending two bespoke 11mm balance wheels, a white stretched lacquer sub-dial and raised differential above its blue-tint lacquered base. The sapphire crystal backcase showcases all 241 components working in unison, with its outer case engraved to highlight the significance of MB&F’s limited 18-piece release. The Legacy Machine LM2 generates power from a three-dimensional horological movement developed exclusively for MB&F by Jean-François Moon at Chronode and Kari Voutilainen. Fit on a black alligator leather strap and matching Palladium buckle, this independent watchmaking masterpiece is sure to cause craze among affluent collectors. The all-new MB&F Legacy Machine LM2 Palladium is currently available through an authorized dealer for $172,000 (+VAT). View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: MB&F

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 06, 2023

Why The Code 11.59 Universelle Is Audemars Piguet's Ultim...

Debuting as part of AP's 2023 lineup of new creations, the Universelle takes the Code 11.59 to a whole new level of Haute Horology! Kicking off 2023 in an impressive manner, Audemars Piguet recently debuted a vast collection of luxury timepieces that give collectors and enthusiasts a look at the brand’s innovative future as an industry leader. Among all the exclusive and desirable Royal Oak models unveiled, the haute horologists at Audemars Piguet were most proud to evolve its line of Code 11.59 models with an all-new design and technological improvements. Audemars Piguet is excited to present the new Code 11.59 Universelle as the ultimate ultra-complication within its collection of exceptional timepieces. MUST-READ: Audemars Piguet Introduces 8 New Royal Oak Collections To Its Luxury Watch Lineup The Code 11.59 Universelle continues its legacy of featuring a traditional circular-shaped case design, crafting the 42mm construction from 18k white gold. The partially-exposed black dial includes black counters applied with matching white gold markers and hands, using its breathtaking Tourbillon as the star of the show. A glare-proof sapphire backcase offers a clear view of the intricate complication, with the ability to change its look with an additional white gold-covered backcase. Standing out as a formal dress watch designed to turn heads, Audemars Piguet fits the Code 11.59 Universelle with a Black alligator strap and an 18k white gold AP folding clasp. What drives the all-new Code 11.59 Universelle? The Code 11.59 Universelle is powered by Audemars Piguet’s new in-house Calibre 1000, paying tribute to its legacy of high complications in this new creation that incorporates 40 different functions, including 23 complications. What innovative functions has Audemars Piguet introduced with this model? To celebrate its push towards the future of time-telling, Audemars Piguet's newest movement offers a new depiction of lunar cycles. Using two concentric disks, six different moon positions are printed to represent transitory stages between the new and full moon. The movement is now also attached with gongs on its sapphire crystal, which utilizes its "secret" backase to boost sound amplification while the watch is worn. How much is it and where can watch collectors find one? Although pricing is yet to be officially released by Audemars Piguet, collectors interested in acquiring the Code 11.59 Universelle are invited to visit their local authorized dealer to plan an appointment. Source: Audemars Piguet

By Roberta Naas – February 06, 2023

Clocking Miles: 3 Spectacular World-Time Watches Worth Yo...

As you flock to warmer climes for the winter, a world-time watch will keep you on time — no matter where you go. Planning to travel the world? Or at least to a destination not in your time zone? You could reach for a dual- or triple-time-zone watch, or you could opt for a world-time machine, which will tell you the time in any of the key 24 zones around the globe with a simple glance at your wrist. Generally, surrounding the watch dial, a world-time watch boasts an internal bezel displaying the zones. It also features a 24-hour ring that tracks day and night in each zone. World-timers are among the most complex watches depending on the movement inside, the way it tracks time, and how it enables its user to set the watch. Often adorned with a map, world-time watches are not only alluring to look at, they will also keep you on time while you’re jet-setting or making business calls around the world. A. Lange & Söhne - $57,800 German watch brand A. Lange & Söhne has mastered the art of world-time watches with a clean and sophisticated design typical of the brand’s Bauhaus style. The 41.9-millimeter Lange 1 Time Zone is crafted in 18-karat pink gold and powered by a manually wound movement with 72 hours of power reserve. It is fitted with a sapphire case back, revealing a magnificently finished movement. IWC Schaffhausen - $17,400 One of the most user-friendly world-timers on the market, the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Top Gun Ceratanium houses a patented system for indicating global time. The brand’s proprietary automatic self-winding movement (caliber 82760) powers the 46-millimeter timepiece, which features complex Pellaton winding and 60 hours of power reserve, one of the highest for world-timers). Just 500 pieces will be made annually due to the complexity of the watch. Montblanc - $7,000 The newest version of the Montblanc Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum clocks in at 43 millimeters. It’s stainless steel with a black-and-gray dial that boasts a rose-colored map of the continents in the center with gold-accented meridians. The multilevel dial provides depth and dimension. It is powered by an automatic movement with a Manufacture world-time complication and has 42 hours of power reserve.

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 02, 2023

Audemars Piguet Introduces 8 New Royal Oak Collections To...

Expanding the iconic Royal Oak series, Audemars Piguet presents an array of new style combinations. As the Royal Oak embodies the characteristics of a true horological icon, Audemars Piguet continues to let the legacy live on through modern examples that take shape as the most desirable luxury watches in the industry. With 2023 kicking off the Royal Oak’s 30th Anniversary, Audemars Piguet is pleased to shock the watch world with eight new collections of the Royal Oak. The current lineup features various material and movement combinations that are sure to leave collectors running to their authorized dealers hoping for a chance to secure one. MUST-READ: Assouline x Audemars Piguet Release The New ‘Royal Oak: From Iconoclast To Icon’ Book, Available Now Making up more than half of the new releases are a series of elegant Code 11.59 variations, showcasing open-worked designs that highlight the inner workings AP’s legendary movements. All three new Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 models utilize the use of both precious metals and intricate Tourbillons. The eight new Audemars Piguet collections are currently available through authorized AP dealers with pricing on request. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury watch news and releases. Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph White Gold With Baguette Blue Sapphires The new 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph is crafted in 18-carat white gold and adorned with a bezel paved with baguette-cut blue sapphires. The dial incorporates a Grande Tapisserie pattern, dressed in blue and endued with contrasting light blue counters. Royal Oak Selfwinding Smoked Blue Dials Audemars Piguet unveils three Royal Oak special editions at the same time. Each edition features the same smoked blue dial with a “Grande Tapisserie” motif and comes in a 41 mm sized white gold case with a choice of movements: Selfwinding, Selfwinding Chronograph and Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon. Royal Oak Self-Winding Chronograph Audemars Piguet is pleased to add two new versions of the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph in 38 mm. Executed in a choice of 18-carat white or pink gold, with baguette-cut diamonds adorning the bezel and hourmarkers, these new Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronographs combine sportiness with precious materials for a glamorous look. Royal Oak Deep Blue Smoked Dials Audemars Piguet introduces three new 18-carat white gold Royal Oak timepieces, all enriched with a Grande Tapisserie dial in a new smoked blue hue. The offering includes two Royal Oak Selfwinding models in 34 and 37 mm as well as a Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph in 38 mm. The bezel of the three timepieces shimmer with baguette-cut diamonds, furthering the play of light conferred by the Royal Oak’s multifaceted case and bracelet. Royal Oak "Jumbo" With A Blue Grained Dial Audemars Piguet is delighted to reveal a new version of its Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin model (ref. 16202) with a new grained dial. This limited edition is powered by the Calibre 7121, the latest ultra-thin movement that was introduced in January 2022 for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak. The 39 mm timepiece comes in a white gold case and will be available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques. Royal Oak Selfwinding Yellow Gold With A Natural Turquoise Dial Audemars Piguet is happy to unveil a new version of its 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding model, entirely crafted in 18-carat yellow gold and illuminated by a natural turquoise dial. This original combination of precious materials endows the timepiece with unprecedented radiance. Used in jewelry for more than 3,000 years, turquoise is a rare stone to which a wealth of positive attributes are ascribed and that naturally finds its place in the Royal Oak collection. Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 30th Anniversary To celebrate the Royal Oak Offshore’s 30th anniversary, this new reference unites black ceramic with yellow gold accents, delivering a refined and powerful contrast. The timepiece is further enriched with a Méga Tapisserie dial and an interchangeable strap endowed with a similar two-tone appearance. Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Audemars Piguet presents a new version of its Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42 mm, housed in its first-ever black ceramic case with a matching bracelet and a black Petite Tapisserie dial for a contemporary monochrome look. Image/Media Source: Audemars Piguet

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 02, 2023

TAG Heuer x Porsche Debut The New Carrera Racing Orange C...

With DNA straight from Porsche race cars, this special edition Carrera Chronograph fits the needs of any passionate race fan. With a partnership built on success in the world of motorsports, Porsche and TAG Heuer continue to highlight their passion for racing with exclusive collaborations for passionate race fans. Being that the chronograph stands out as the ultimate automotive watch, TAG Heuer chose to feature the legendary Carrera Chronograph as the blank canvas for its newest release with the German sports car manufacturer. TAG Heuer is proud to reveal the special-edition Carrera Porsche Orange Racing Chronograph that features a design inspired by the sparks of heat race cars generate while racing on the track. MUST-READ: These Are The 10 Best Watches Under $1,000 For A Budget Friendly Collector The Carrera Chronograph showcases a black 44mm case and fixed tachymeter bezel with the Porsche logo proudly displayed in a vibrant orange finish. The dial itself resembles the gauge cluster of a modern-day Porsche 911, tracking key functions such as hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph: 1/4 second, 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter, and date. Visible through the sapphire case back and offering 80 hours of power reserve, the manufacturer Calibre Heuer 02 pays homage to Porsche’s famous steering wheel. Deriving characteristics for luxurious Porsche interiors, TAG Heuer adds a texturized black leather band with orange contrast stitching to the automotive-inspired timepiece. The all-new TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche Orange Racing Chronograph is currently available by clicking on the link below. Shop Now View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: TAG Heuer

By Roberta Naas – January 27, 2023

Red Carpet Time: A Look At 2022's Award-Winning Watches

A look back at the highlights of the watch world in 2022, particularly at the winners of the industry's red carpet awards. Every industry has its own celebrations that honor the finest brands, the most innovative solutions, or the most creative designs. The watch industry is no exception. Annually for the past 22 years, watch lovers have flocked to Geneva to the glamorous Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) award ceremony. Top brands, CEOs, master watchmakers, and collectors gather together at the Théâtre du Léman to see which timepieces unveiled during the year were the most celebrated. Just as in the automotive world, entries are categorized and judged. In fact, the GPHG Academy consists of 650 key figures in the watch profession who vote on watches in more than a dozen different categories, including complications, astronomy, art, high-jeweled, mechanics, chronometry, and best in show. This year, that distinction went to independent watch brand MB&F for its Legacy Machine Sequential EVO watch, which we featured in our November watch guide. Essentially, the brands that take the top spot in each category, and even the runners-up, represent the best and brightest in the industry. From small independent brands to big household names, the list of nominees and winners reads like a veritable who’s who. Here, we take a look at just a few of the winners. M.A.D. Editions M.A.D. 1 Red At a glance, anyone who knows the visionary mind of Maximilian Busser, founder of MB&F, can see his signature touches on the M.A.D. 1 Red watch, which took the top spot in the Challenge category (watches retailing for $3,500 or less). A secondary label for MB&F, whose wristwatches typically sell for well over $100,000, M.A.D. Editions creates more accessible time machines offered to MB&F “friends” via a raffle. The automatic mechanical watch is crafted in stainless steel and boasts a lateral time display on the case side — leaving the dial side totally free for the titanium and tungsten triple-blade winding rotor to take center stage. The blades constantly rotate with every move of the wrist, not just powering the watch, but offering a visually stunning attraction. Ferdinand Berthoud FB 2RSM.2-1 Taking the winning position in the Mechanical Exception category, this Ferdinand Berthoud watch boasts a highly complex movement with a fusée-and-chain transmission tourbillon to compensate for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity when the watch is in certain positions on the wrist, and with deadbeat seconds. The manual-wind mechanical movement is a COSC-certified chronometer. In this watch, the barrel and inverted fusée are suspended and patented. The regulator style dial displays hours at 2 o’clock, minutes at 12 o’clock, and offers a central seconds hand. Just 20 pieces of the 18-karat ethical 5N rose gold watch will be made. Hermès Arceau Le Temps Voyageur Crafted in platinum and titanium, with a lacquer and galvanic engraved dial, the 41-millimeter Hermès Arceau Le Temps Voyageur won the Men’s Complications category (and a 38-millimeter blue-dial steel version won the Women’s Complications prize). The watch houses a specially made self-winding mechanical movement that offers a new way to read the time in the cities around the world via a 122-part “traveling time” module that is integrated into the caliber. Essentially, the inner dial that showcases the hours and minutes moves around the dial, and the red arrow indicates the world time in pointer style. An aperture at 12 o’clock uses 24-hour time indication for day/night information.

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