Watches and Formula 1 - Episode 6 - McLaren & Richard Mille
McLaren: the winningest (is that a word?) constructor in Formula 1 after Ferrari, the second longest running team in the sport (with a continuous participation since 1966), producer of many memorable cars, host of legendary driver line-ups, and delivering championship contending cars through most of their history. Hitting a dry spell since 2015 though, the team has the resilience to get back on top, although talks of a McLaren-Honda split refuse to go away. As far as their timing partner is concerned though, relations seem much calmer. Richard Mille is a cutting-edge watch manufacturer, using the most advanced technology and exotic materials, and indeed is very similar in many ways to the image of this major F1 team. The story starts with young Bruce McLaren, born in New Zealand, racing a restored and prepared Austin Ulster 7 in an unofficial hill climb in 1952. Despite being only 12 years old, he showed a talent for racing, and only two years later he entered hi

Book Review: Wheels & Watches, For Car Enthusiasts and Watch Aficionados
We’ve said this on so many occasions already… In the world of mechanical wonders, nothing is as closely related as cars and watches. Both are fueled by passion, both are mechanical (or we want them to be mechanical), both are objects to be collected and enjoyed as the perfect toys for boys?(or girls). There's something so natural between sports cars and watches, something almost identical in these slightly outdated, rather irrelevant objects that go against the current trends. While the topic has already been explored dozens of times, Wheels & Watches book takes this topic from a slightly different angle, that of the symbiotic relationship between cars and watches, and why a watch or a car matters on an emotional level to its owner.?Written by Oriol Vilanova, a man also behind Gentlemen Drive Magazine, the Wheels & Watches book covers on a solid 300 pages the strong connection that exists between two timeless passions: cars and watches. Contrary to many other public

Longines Avigation BigEye Titanium Blue Dial (Specs & Price)
The?Avigation BigEye is one of those great Heritage Longines watches that pay tribute to the rich aviation past of the brand. Launched in 2017 in steel with a black dial, it was modelled after an elusive 1930s watch with quite a resemblance with some glorious post-WWII pilot’s chronograph too. Also, as indicated by its name, the watch was characterized by its oversized minute counter, a design also known as “Big Eye chronographs.” This year, in addition to the black dial model, Longines adds a new and striking version with a gradient blue dial and even stronger vintage colours. And, most importantly, it now comes in titanium.?BackgroundThe actual vintage Longines BigEye watch from the 1930s that inspired the design of the modern AvigationAs explained in our review of the steel model, the story behind the Avigation BigEye Chronograph is anything but clear. The design is based on a 1930s pilot’s chronograph that a collector presented to the Longines museum, but th

2019 Rado Captain Cook Limited Edition 37mm (Specs & Price)
Following up on the 37mm Captain Cook vintage diver collection from 2017 (along with a contemporary 45mm version), Rado has released a 2019 limited edition that pushes the retro vibe even further. Most of what made the 2017 models so appealing returns, but the brand found inspiration from a vintage Captain Cook piece that had developed an eye-catching patina on the dial. The previous 2017 models had either a dark brown dial or one tailored to women featuring a silver dial with diamonds marking the hours (and a white ceramic bezel). This year only one model debuted and it's as close to an original as Mido could get without sacrificing modern expectations. Whether you prefer the slightly newer look of the 2017 release or aged aesthetic for 2019, if you want the closest thing to a 1962 original, this new model is the one to get. Let's take a closer look.BACKGROUNDRado was founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co. in Lengnau, Switzerland by brothers Fritz, Ernst and Werner Schlup. The humble ate

Pre-SIHH 2019 - Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart
The new Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart is the second unique piece unveiled by the Geneva-based brand in the frame of its pre-SIHH 2019 presentations. Just like the Grande Complication Phoenix we unveiled a few hours ago, the Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky chart is exceptional in every respect, combining three major complications (tourbillon, minute repeater and sky chart) housed in a white gold case set with 112 baguette-cut diamonds.The 413-part movement is based on the hand-wound calibre 2755 beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour and with 58 hours of power reserve. It is regulated by a one-minute tourbillon and integrates a minute repeater. Turning the watch over, the case back reveals a superb star-gazing invitation and features a representation of the night sky above Geneva. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The M