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 – September 03, 2026

Four One-of-One Rolex Daytonas for a One-of-a-Kind Auction

When Rolex gets involved in a charity auction, collectors know to expect something special, but the newly announced ‘Four Seasons’ sale takes that idea to another level. Dreamed up alongside Rolex Testimonees Roger Federer and Leonardo DiCaprio, the upcoming auction showcases four one-off Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytonas, each inspired by one of the four seasons. Each watch is a work of art in itself, pairing precious metals with colorful natural stones, gemstones, and diamond-set details. Scheduled for September 28th in London in partnership with PHILLIPS, the auction will also put the spotlight on two causes that are particularly important to Federer and DiCaprio.The Four Seasons auction is ultimately about where the money goes. Federer’s foundation, established in 2003, works to give children in Southern Africa and Switzerland greater access to education and opportunities to learn, play, and thrive. DiCaprio helped launch Re:wild, an organization focused on protecting and restoring the natural world alongside Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and conservation organizations. With all proceeds from the Rolex Four Seasons sale benefiting the two foundations, these four incredibly rare watches represent huge contributions toward education and environmental conservation.Spring is represented by an 18ct white gold Rolex Daytona with a chrysoprase dial, lepidolite counters, and a bezel set with 36 purple sapphires. Summer turns up the heat with an 18ct Everose gold case, turquoise dial, heart-of-ruby counters, and pink sapphire bezel. Autumn takes a different direction with 18ct yellow gold, a mookaite dial, chrysoprase counters, and green tourmalines around the bezel. Then there’s Winter, in 950 platinum, paired with a blue opal dial, lapis lazuli counters, and a blue-to-fuchsia sapphire gradient bezel. All four also feature diamond-set lugs and crown guards, along with gemstone or diamond hour markers matching their color palettes.The Daytona has long been tied to motorsports and driving, but these variations take the desirable chronograph to a whole new artistic realm. With only four examples being offered, the Rolex Four Seasons auction is naturally going to attract plenty of attention when they take the stage in London. For collectors, however, the bigger story may be that these are watches with a purpose beyond rarity, combining celebrity collaboration and philanthropy into four one-of-one watches. Source: Rolex

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 – 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 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 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 – May 20, 2026

This NBA MVP Gifted His Whole Team Audemars Piguet Watches

Every sports team has its star player, but as NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning, once said, “The most valuable player is the one that makes the most players valuable." It’s the reason for this unspoken ritual: captains and quarterbacks surprising teammates with extravagant gifts at the end of seasons, as a thank-you for protecting, motivating, and contributing to the team's overall success. And we’re not talking about a nice dinner out or a Starbucks gift card, but gifts like luxury watches, ebikes, golf club sets, and even brand-new cars. Last year, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA Most Valuable Player, and to celebrate the occasion, he splurged and bought his whole team new Rolex watches. This year, Shai went back-to-back and was awarded MVP for the 2025-26 season, and knowing he had to take things a step further, the 27-year-old Point Guard shocked his team with new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches. SportsCenter broke the news after teammate Jaylin Williams posted an Instagram story of the whole team showing off their new AP watches and designer trench coats, with Shai in the background smiling at OKC’s training facility. And, rather than buying the same model in bulk to make it easy on himself, he chose to offer a mix between Audemars Piguet’s classic stainless-steel Royal Oak (ref. 16202ST) on an integrated bracelet and the nautical Royal Oak Offshore Diver (ref. 15720ST). With an 18-player roster, the small token of appreciation is valued at well over half a million dollars. For Shai himself, the yellow gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, with a smoked green-toned dial, is his go-to choice. As the Oklahoma City Thunder kicks off its NBA Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP status and a locker room full of new Audemars Piguet watches may be the motivation that takes the team to the NBA Finals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SportsCenter (@sportscenter) Source: ESPN

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 12, 2026

Tom Brady Spotted Wearing a $6 Million Rolex at The Roast of Kevin Hart

While Tom Brady is best known as a seven-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame NFL quarterback, he has also built a reputation as one of the biggest watch collectors and enthusiasts in sports, often spotted at games and events wearing some of the most expensive and exclusive watches in the world. The diversity in his taste for watches proves an actual appreciation for all things haute horology, whether it be the complexity behind a Richard Mille RM 35-05 ‘Rafael Nadal’ or the history and significance of a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6241 “John Player Special”. But this past weekend at The Roast of Kevin Hart, Tom Brady focused fully on the bling factor, wearing an off-catalog Rolex Sea-Dweller reportedly valued at $6 million.While off-catalog Rolex models are nothing new in the watch world, seeing the exclusive treatment applied to a Sea-Dweller certainly is, as these ultra-exclusive releases are usually reserved for models like the Daytona, Day-Date, Yacht-Master, Sky-Dweller, and Submariner. Tom Brady’s Sea-Dweller is part of Rolex’s 2023 off-catalog lineup, featuring an 18k white gold case completely drenched in diamonds, from its baguette-cut bezel and full pavé dial to the table-cut diamond bracelet. Even as retail prices of these pieces are hardly ever revealed, it's rumored that this may be the most expensive off-catalog Rolex ever made. Introduced in 1967, the Rolex Sea-Dweller was originally developed as a serious professional dive watch built to withstand the extreme pressures of deep-sea exploration. And although we can almost guarantee that this seven-figure dive watch will never see the deep depths of the ocean, Tom Brady definitely shocked the watch world by bringing out this one-off piece to share on one of Kevin Hart’s biggest nights. The star-studded roast also brought out names like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Kim Kardashian, Ben Affleck, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Rob Gronkowski, to name a few, making it one of the most celebrity-packed comedy events of the year. Source: Tom Brady's Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 01, 2026

IWC Schaffhausen Kicks Off Miami Grand Prix Weekend with Kimi Antonelli

When Formula One weekend arrives in Miami, it flips a switch. Even days before cars hit the track for practice and qualifying, the city is already in full-blown festivities, and IWC Schaffhausen wasted no time joining in on the party. The brand hosted a small, early-week event in the Miami Design District, welcoming clients, locals, and other industry insiders. The special guest of the evening was Kimi Antonelli, the current championship leader for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One, and one of the youngest drivers now carrying big expectations.The night was calm and cool. No theatrics or overpacked guest list, just Antonelli in conversation, talking about how quickly things have ramped up this season. He spoke about adjusting to the pace of Formula 1, managing pressure, and the constant balance between speed and consistency. A star-struck moment for most, it seemed more like a much-needed midweek check-in for Kimi before a busy race weekend. The night also celebrated the broader IWC–Mercedes relationship, which has been in place for over a decade and focuses on shared engineering DNA rather than brand-stamped dials.Around the room, a collection of IWC’s latest releases, fresh off their Geneva debut, was on display, giving guests a first look at pieces that pave the way for the brand's future. The lineup showcased aviation-inspired designs, updated movements, and functionality that mirrors the precision mindset of Formula 1. The room moved between conversations about lap times, travel schedules, and watchmaking, with little separation between the two. It was a low-key start to what will be a very exciting race weekend in Miami. Source: IWC Schaffhausen

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 22, 2026

Timothée Chalamet Joins Urban Jürgensen

Founded in 1773, Urban Jürgensen has always been one of those under-the-radar names that serious watch people tend to know about. With roots in Copenhagen, tied to the Danish Royal Court, and built on a mix of Danish design and Swiss mechanics, the brand prides itself on an approach that focuses more on craft than flash. Now, the watchmaker is stepping into the celebrity spotlight with Timothée Chalamet joining as a minority partner and Creative Advisor. It’s his first real move into the business side of anything, but he also came to the brand as a collector first, which makes this feel more like an organic partnership than a typical celebrity marketing play. “A couple of years ago, a film director I admire deeply piqued my interest in artisanal watchmaking — not the flashy kind, but the kind that demands years of discipline, patience, and ultimately, mastery. I started to see it as a sibling to filmmaking — a precise expression, just on a different scale. One lives on an IMAX screen, the other within 48 by 40 by 10 millimeters, but both have the ability to hold entire worlds within them. When Andy and Alex Rosenfield introduced me to Urban Jürgensen, what drew me in was how clearly the focus was on the watches themselves — on craft, on process, on getting it right. It also felt like something different than the typical arrangement — more of a creative collaboration than a traditional endorsement. I’m excited to be involved and to continue exploring this world alongside them.” - Timothée Chalamet Since returning to family ownership under the Rosenfields in 2025, Urban Jürgensen has been focused on keeping things small and intentional, less about pursuing volume, more about refining the art they already do well. That means relying on traditional techniques, working closely with industry names like Finnish watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, and slowly building out a new generation of watches that are true to the brand’s history. The move back to its roots has already been getting some positive attention at events like the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. If anything, Timothée Chalamet’s involvement just adds another piece to the puzzle, or movement, more about someone genuinely interested in where independent watchmaking is headed next. Source: Urban Jürgensen/Photo by Aidan Zamiri

Bad Bunny Wears A Malachite AP At The Half Time Show

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 09, 2026

Bad Bunny Wears A Malachite Royal Oak At The Half Time Show

The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most-watched entertainment events on the planet, tuned into by well over 100 million viewers around the world each year alongside the NFL’s championship game. This year, the blockbuster performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, marked a night when pop culture and sports collided on one of the biggest broadcast stages in history. The headliner of the evening took shape as Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and record producer Bad Bunny, with musical guest appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. And while one of the most memorable moments of the show had to be the impromptu wedding, which has been confirmed to be real, one of the real showstoppers of the night was a very special watch worn by none other than Bad Bunny himself.The watch in the spotlight last night was an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (Ref. 15553BA.OO.1356BA.04), showcasing one of the brand’s most iconic watches on one of sports’ biggest stages. The 37mm Royal Oak features a smaller case than its 40mm+ counterparts, yet remains robust thanks to its legendary octagonal shape, courtesy of Mr. Gerald Genta. What makes this specific Royal Oak special, in addition to being an all-yellow gold version, is its vibrant green malachite dial and the captivating texture it reveals. The stone dial is complemented by yellow gold hands and hour-markers, and a yellow gold-toned inner bezel. It was the Royal Oak’s integrated bracelet that gave us a clear indication of the brand and model Bad Bunny was wearing when he first hit the field, and the rest was history. Source: Audemars Piguet

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