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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 Edward Jones – June 17, 2021

Ernst Benz ChronoLunar Officer 'Moon Time'

Presented by Ernst Benz - The ChronoLunar Officer release coincides with the decade anniversary of the ChronoLunar, which inspired the development of a new generation of timepieces for Ernst Benz. As in the historical timepieces from which this model draws inspiration, the distinguishing feature of the ChronoLunar lies in the distinctive way it indicates the calendar's position. With an authentic demonstration of mechanical ingenuity, its calendar displays the day, month, and phases of the moon through apertures, while a half-moon center hand indicates the date. The Officer is available in two sizes, 47mm and 44mm, featuring magnificently finished dials in either black or white with elegantly applied hand-polished numerals in either steel or gold finish, filled with white luminous and paired with matching polished version of Ernst Benz's signature cathedral hands also with luminous. Visit ErnstBenz.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 16, 2021

Omega Unveils The All-New Aqua Terra Design For The Seama...

A classic Omega model with a fresh dial design. The Seamaster Collection by Omega prides itself on delivering a luxury timepiece experience, with the added reassurance of functional reliability. While the Seamaster will always play a key role in the brand’s lineup, Omega continues to diversify the collection with new designs and movement technology. Omega is now proud to announce the release of the new Aqua Terra collection, a series of ten 38mm and nine 41mm models. The standout feature on all new models is a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, encircled by an applied sub-dial ring: many in 18K Sedna™ gold, some even set with diamonds. The collection features new dials in subtle sun-brushed shades and two-tone teak patterns with eye-catching hour markers, including diamonds arranged incrementally from 6 to 12 o’clock and sailboat hull-shaped indexes with iridescent mother-of-pearl inlay. At the sportier end of the 38 mm spectrum are eight watches in either stainless steel, or a blend of steel and 18K Sedna™ gold, powered by OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 8802, with new dials in dark green, light green, linen, and extra white mother-of-pearl. The latest 38 mm OMEGA’s sport matching bracelets or beautifully colored leather straps, depending on the model. The 41 mm range includes four stainless steel editions and one in stainless steel and 18K Sedna™ gold, all powered by OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 8916. Two-tone dials in blue-grey, silvery-blue and silvery-beige, add depth to the displays and contrast beautifully with the new sub-dials. Watches are fitted with either a matching bracelet or an integrated structured rubber strap in a complementary color. The all-new Omega Aqua Terra Collection is currently available through an authorized dealer starting at $6,200. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQL9PVIM3eN/ For more Watch news, Check out The Top 10 Watches To Start Your Watch Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 16, 2021

Breitling Releases The New Endurance Pro IRONMAN Edition

Take on the IRONMAN Triathlon with the perfect Breitling. After its recent tease on Instagram yesterday, Breitling is now proud to unveil its newest collaboration watch with IRONMAN. The all-new Breitling Endurance Pro IRONMAN is the duo's second release and features an ultra-light Breitlight® case, a robust material 3.3 times lighter than titanium and 5.8 times lighter than stainless steel. The vibrant red dial is contrasted with black sub-dials, which display the IRONMAN logo at the 6 o'clock position. Driving power to the Breilting Endurance Pro IRONMAN is the brand’s in-house Thermocompensated SuperQuartz movement, which has a battery life of 3 to 4-years. The back case is inscribed with the IRONMAN logo to signify the special partnership release. The adventurous Breitling style is completed with an IRONMAN branded red rubber strap and matching folding clasp. The all-new Breitling Endurance Pro IRONMAN is currently available for $3,350 by clicking the link below. Shop Now https://www.instagram.com/p/CQLuIY0MnJB/ For more Watch news, Check out Jacob & Co. Releases The $580,000 Limited-Edition Fast & Furious Twin Turbo

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 15, 2021

Jacob & Co. Releases The $580,000 Limited-Edition Fast & ...

The one-of-a-kind timepiece dedicated to commemorating the iconic Fast & Furious movie series. The Fast and Furious movie series by Universal City Studios is known as the most iconic automotive film saga. Responsible for a large amount of the future automotive enthusiasts of the world, the Fast and Furious follows a group of driven racers upgrading their rides throughout the 9-part series. As one of the most automotive-inspired watchmakers, Jacob & Co. is the perfect brand to feature a commemorative limited-edition piece to celebrate the release of ‘F9’ on June 25th. Jacob & Co. is proud to announce the release of the Fast and Furious Twin Turbo, it places four complications that have never appeared together in a watch: a twin triple-axis tourbillon, decimal minute repeater, mono-pusher chronograph, and pit board time difference calculator. All complications are powered by the 832-component Jacob & Co. caliber JCFM05 manual wound movement exclusive to Jacob & Co. The large sapphire crystal face features imagery iconic to the first "Fast & Furious" film from 2001: a starting girl with checkered flags, behind her, are hot rod cars ready to bolt - one American muscle, the other a supercharged import, above both is the Fast & Furious logo. The new Jacob & Co. Fast and Furious Twin Turbo is limited to only 9 pieces, now available through an authorized dealer for $580,000. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJx8KIsfd9/ For more Jacob & Co. news, Check out Jacob & Co. Releases A Limited-Edition Astronomia Table Clock

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 15, 2021

Breitling x IRONMAN Triathlon Prepare For A Special Relea...

A quick tease before unveiling the newest release from Breitling x IRONMAN Triathlon. Breitling has always been a watchmaker dedicated to not only creating luxury timepieces that turn heads but also pieces that prove to deliver complete functionality and reliability. As a brand built on designing wristwatches as tools, Breitling continues to push each of its new watches to the test. Breitling took to Instagram to announce its most upcoming partnership with the adventurous professionals at IRONMAN Triathlon. Although specific details have yet to be released, the watch collectors and enthusiasts of the world are hoping for an adventure-driven sport model design to take on any conditions. The product release will take place on June 16th at 12 pm EST, which can be found by visiting the Breitling or IRONMAN Triathlon Instagram pages for more information. Check back in for more news on the Breitling x IRONMAN Triathlon release, and shop the current Breitling collections by clicking the link below. Shop Breitling Watches https://www.instagram.com/p/CQIl_ELgBe5/ For more Watch news, Check out Roger Dubuis Adds Three New Excalibur Single Flying Tourbillons To Its Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 14, 2021

Roger Dubuis Adds Three New Excalibur Single Flying Tourb...

Three new styles for one great timepiece collection. The Excalibur Collection from Roger Dubuis continues to highlight itself as the brand’s coveted model, which also doubles as a blank canvas for new designs and technology. Roger Dubuis is proud to announce three new head-turning models to add to the luxury timepiece collection. The new Excalibur Single Flying Tourbillon models are presented in Cobalt Chrome, DLC Grey Titanium, and Eon Gold. The vibrant and stealth colors are worked into the skeleton dial, as well as the inner bezel. The tourbillon is displayed proudly on the lower portion of the dial, which is driven by the in-house RD512 movement, capable of holding a 72-hour power reserve. Completing the styling of each new model, Roger Dubuis equips each with a 3D calf leather strap and interchangeable with Quick Release System. The three new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Single Flying Tourbillion models are now available through an authorized dealer starting at $138,000. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQGy6zqM-hD/ For more Watch news, Check out Jacob & Co. Releases A Limited-Edition Astronomia Table Clock

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 14, 2021

Jacob & Co. Releases A Limited-Edition Astronomia Table C...

Display the beauty of Jacob & Co.'s Astronomia at home or in the office. As expected, Jacob & Co. is set to release yet another exquisite example from its watchmaking sector, only it's not a piece to wear on your wrist. Jacob & Co. is proud to announce the release of its new Astronomia Table Clock, the home-scaled version of the New York City brand’s most iconic wristwatch. The Astronomia Table Clock features a 128mm case enclosed in sapphire crystals, presenting a crystal clear view of the Gun Blue Metallic dial. The iconic four-arm vertical movement is enlarged to fill space in the case, which incorporates a genuine piece of meteorite to highlight the space theme. While the entire design of the Astronomia is made larger to fit into a home or office setting, as is the manual-winding JCAM17 movement, which holds an 8-day power reserve. The Jacob & Co. Table Clock is available in Titanium and Rose Gold, each limited to 110 pieces produced. The all-new Jacob & Co. Astronomia Table Clock is now available through an authorized dealer. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQGg2SRsGk1/ For more Watch news, Check out Jacob & Co. Announces Cryptocurrency As Its Newest Way To Pay

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 11, 2021

Top Timepieces Released This Week

A quick recap on the luxury watches released 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. Zenith Chronomaster Revival Safari https://www.instagram.com/p/CP09yfqMJjA/ Learn More Rolls-Royce x Bovet 1822 Boat Tail https://www.instagram.com/p/CP3KsUKME8k/ Learn More Ulysse Nardin Diver 42mm ‘Lemon Shark’ https://www.instagram.com/p/CP3lvcCshdg/ Learn More Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Collection https://www.instagram.com/p/CP5tkXmsgdo/ Learn More For more Watch news, Check out The Top 10 Watches To Start Your Watch Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 09, 2021

Corum Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of The Golden Bridge Au...

Corum commemorates 10-years with a new view for the Golden Bridge. As watch brands continue to cross milestones, commemorative pieces are created to forever mark the special occasion. Corum Watches is celebrating its 10th Anniversary of the Golden Bridge Automatic with a new Panoramic Sapphire case design. The new Golden Bridge Automatic features a Tonneau-shaped case with a partial transparent dial, revealing some of the inner workings of the movement. Driving the newest Corum is the brand’s in-house CO 313 automatic movement, capable of providing a 40-hour power reserve and 30-meter water resistance. Once the watch is turned over, the sapphire back case provides a crystal clear view of the movement at work. Completing the elegant styling of the new Corum Golden Bridge Automatic, the brand added a large-scale genuine black leather strap to each example. The collection presents four versions of the luxury timepiece featuring Black Titanium, Black Titanium with Diamonds, 18k Rose Gold, and 18k Rose Gold with Diamonds. Each version of the Golden Bridge Automatic is produced as a limited-edition release, with production numbers for each version varying from 25 to 150-pieces. The all-new limited-edition Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Collection is currently available through an authorized dealer. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP5tkXmsgdo/ For more Watch news, Check out Rolls-Royce x BOVET 1822 Unveil The New Artistic Boat Tail Timepieces

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 08, 2021

Ulysse Nardin Unveils a Shark-Themed 42mm DIVER for World...

Dedicated to ocean conservation, Ulysse Nardin presents its newest diver watch. As a brand that pulls inspiration from the world’s natural resources, Ulysse Nardin continues to bring awareness to areas like the ocean. In honor of World Ocean Day and celebrating its community of friends and partners including world-renowned shark experts, divers, universities, and non-profits, Ulysse Nardin unveils a stunning, shark-themed limited edition of the DIVER 42mm. The new DIVER 42mm Lemon Shark features a stealth matte style with vibrant yellow details contrasting the design. As a shark dedicated example, Ulysse Nardin included a “Lemon Shark” stamp on the simplistic time/date dial. Powering the mechanism behind the diver watch is the in-house caliber UN-816, which provides a 42-hour power reserve and 300-meter water resistance. On the back case, the ocean life is further incorporated with a trio of lemon sharks engraved to signify the limited-edition release. Completing the functionality aspect of the DIVER 42mm, Ulysse Nardin equips each piece with a Black nylon strap and matching black buckle. The Ulysse Nardin DIVER 42mm Lemon Shark is limited to 300 pieces for $7,300. Shop the all-new limited edition Ulysse Nardin DIVER 42mm Lemon Shark by clicking the link below. Shop Now https://www.instagram.com/p/CP3lvcCshdg/ For more Watch news, Check out Rolls-Royce x BOVET 1822 Unveil The New Artistic Boat Tail Timepieces

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