Cabestan Scuderia Ferrari One – wow!!!

The Scuderia One is designed by Rucchonet and built by Cabestan. Rucchonet has taken the design of the Winch vertical Tourbillon and customised it for a more Ferrari look. The watch is designed using a lot of material used in actual Formula 1 Ferrari cars. The design of the watch is significantly similar to that of the original car, this was achieved when the watch designer Manzoni worked very closely with Rucchonet to decide on use of race cars shape, surface, texture etc and build that into a watch. The sides of the watch are built in special magnesium alloy, Rucchonet has also used the same the same font from the Ferrari gauges on for the numerals on the rotating drums on the watch.

Wow. What a concept.

Parmigiani Bugatti Vitesse Grand Sport – unique

Parmiagiani Feurier has been known for designing timepieces inspired by Bugatti. Based on the Bugatti Veyron super car, the Swiss brand founded by Parmigiani Fleurier designed the Grand Sport Vitesse timepiece. Inspired by the special edition Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, this is part of the collection that is unveiled by Bugatti. Fitted with the trademarked PF372 movement the dial is at a perpendicular 90 degree angle. La Bugatti Vitesse PF372 movement is the worlds first with a double pinion system and a bevel gear. The case is made of titanium to reflect alloy like feel of the super car convertible. The back is etched with the individual model number along with the cabochons of Parmigiani Fluerier.

I like the large crown on the right side of the case. The uniqueness of the design makes it a must have for someone who needs the attention.

Audermars Piguet Royal Oak – only to be appreciated by some

Audermars Piguet is always a name which is associated in the world of motor sports. The Grand Prix collection has a dial that is reminiscent of dashboard instruments. The crown looks like a gear along with a bezel which is a ventilated brake disc. The case has a marbled black look is a result of the forged carbon material used in making. Forged carbon makes the watch extremely resistant and light. The dial consists of a central aluminium plate adorned with the “Méga Tapisserie” motif characteristic of the Royal Oak Offshore line.

Looks congested to me. I’ll pass…

Hublot King Power F1 Ceramic – well balanced

Launched in 2011, Hublot released the King Power F1 in Ceramic as part of its ‘Formula 1 King Power series’. Encased in microblasted black ceramic, powered by the HUB4100 self winding movement. It is a chronograph with a a 12 hour counter, a 30 minute counter and a small seconds dial. It is 100% rust proof and anti allergenic due to the ceramic casing. It also tends to be lighter than steel yet more sturdy. The bezel is trademark Hublot which is designed like a brake caliper. It has a rubber stitched strap which is coated with Nomex which is same material used to make the race drivers outfit. The King Power F1 Ceramic is a limited edition from Hublot available in 500 pieces.

Generally I don’t look twice when it comes to Hublot’s offerings as the countless number of “special editions” and “limited editions” makes it one of the brands counterfeiters love most (the pirates assumes it it would be difficult for someone to known which one is real and which one is not). However, for this one, I make an exception. I love the balance.

Girard Perregaux Pour Ferrari F1 World Champion Watch – beautiful and the Ferrari linkage is muted

GP has been known to be associated with Ferrari and F1 races since very early stages. It comes as no surprise that the Pour Ferrari World Champion watch is dedicated to the Ferrari designers from Maranello. This gesture only embodies GP’s relationship with professional car racing more strong. The dial is in black carbon fiber and contrasty colors of the dial give it a feel of the automobile itself. Comes with a power reserve of 42 hours and its an extremely sturdy watch.

Compared to the Officine Panerai Ferrari California Chronograph, the GP watch does not have an “air” surrounding it. Looks beautiful and the Ferrari linkage is muted. I like this one.

Officine Panerai Ferrari California Chronograph – only for the elite few….

Officine Panerai launched this watch along with Ferrari’s newest launch the F149 California.The watch is going to be part of the “Ferrari Engineered by Officine Panerai” collection. It has a 60 minute scale with 5 minute intervals. The dial is designed to match the tachometer of the car between 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock section and the base of the dial has the California logo across it to add the automobile touch to it.The rotor of the watch is engraved with the trademark Ferrari ‘Prancing Horse’. This is a unique edition of only 400 pieces.

I guess if you have a Ferrari and loads of money to spare, you should get this as well for completeness.  It was designed for a few and priced where only a few can afford it – elitism…..

Perrelet Split Second Chronograph A1045.3 – the dark one….

The Perrelet family has been making watches for a long time. The founder, Louis-Frédéric Perrelet, invented marine watches, marine instruments and has patented the precision split second chronograph. Recently, the watch company has come out with the split second Chronograph versions in honor of Louis-Frédéric Perrelet. Encased in DLC the dial is skeletonized and is fitted with P241 movement. The DLC treatment is a carbon coating which gives the watch a better resistance than steel. The dial is black with Arabic numerals and a 12 hour chronograph with a date display making it more readable.

The see-through dial shows the various gears. The numbers of gear seen shows how complicated the movement is. It generates a dark brooding vibe…..

The first of my watch to be sent for servicing – Aristo H114 Pilot

Noticed that the ETA2824 engine in my Aristo was not able to save power in the mainsprings. Even after winding it manually, the watch would not come alive. Only after vigorous shaking and moving the hour and minutes hands would it start to move. Even that it won’t last long. So, its time to meet the Watch Doctor. This is the first time I will be servicing my watch (started the hobby only in 2010). Lets see if the servicing helps.

Stefan Johansson Vaxjo Carbon Fiber – A refreshing and lively watch

Stefan Johansson, the designer and maker of the watch is a successful Formula 1, Indy car and Le Mans race driver. All of his watch designs thus have elements inspired from the race world. The 47mm dial held in the Carbon fiber casing is lined with 10 official flags of the FIA along the bezel which also make up as hour markers. It is fitted with the 7750 Valjoux movement. The chronograph is mechanical with a self winding mechanism. It has fine adjustment balance wheel with water resistance up to 3atm. The sapphire crystal in coated with the anti glare and the limited edition number etched on the back of it. The Carbon Fiber model is a 50 pieces limited edition watch.

I love the rainbow of colours seen in this watch. I especially like the way he uses the flags as the indexes on the dial. A refreshing and lively watch.

Armin Strom Racing Chronograph – F1 related? Looks slow

Armin Strom has released this special timepiece called the ‘Racing Chronograph’ to signify the relationship between them and the Marussia Virgin Racing F1 team. The watch inspired from Formula 1, has dial colors in black, white and red matching the Marussia Virgin Racing F1 Team colors. Materials used in the manufacture of the F1 race car are also used to make these watches. The case is PVD coated black in steel or titanium and 44mm wide. It has a rubber strap and the owner can have custom engraving on the bottom of the case. Armin Stroms signature on the racing chronograph. Even though they cannot use the ‘F1’ official logo but the design of the watch is indicative of its association with motor racing. Considered one of Armin Stroms entry level watches it is impeccably designed.

I would expect any design that relates to F1 would be more aggressive. This particular example does not.