Shifting Gears
Most boys grew up watching Formula 1 and 24 hours of Le Mans endurance race on television or reading about their favourite sports cars in well-thumbed magazines. Kids play in their little toy cars, fingers tightly wrapped around their steering wheels, mimicking every gear change and turn that their favourite driver made.
My own high-pitched “vroooom” on acceleration synced with Damon Hill speeding down the straight at Silverstone in his Williams Formula 1 race car. Love and fascination for cars made it highly probable that I would also be passionate about other boys toys.
Which brings me to my greater passion, horology.
Legends of the creation and design of iconic watches mirror the concepts, looks or colours of an automobile. As a result, the former often inspires watch collectors to purchase cars and vice versa.
When I think along these lines, two such watches come to mind. The first is the Girard-Perregaux R&D 01, where, as is the norm, the ‘R’ and ‘D’ respectively stand for Research and Development. This suited-to-purpose watch was conceived by Luigi Macaluso - who was, unsurprisingly, a former European Rally Champion. He developed the watch in consultation with Formula 1 drivers to build what he believed to be the ultimate drivers watch.
Fascinating design elements include the chronograph pushers on the watch’s left side instead of the traditional right, for ease of use while piloting a race car.
The right sub-dial at 3 o’clock has a clear day / night indicator specially adapted for the 24 Hour of LeMans race.
The crown field styled after a Formula 1 cars’ intake is also a brilliant design touch. One cannot but appreciate the uniquely colourful dial that shimmers golden in sunlight, its multi-functional sub-dials and its snug fit on the wrist.
The second watch is also a driver’s watch, just not made for the race track. It is the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 1921 Madison Avenue Boutique edition that has had my attention for a while now.
The stand out features are the large Arabic hour numerals offset from the vertical axis, making it easy to read the time once your hand is on a steering wheel.
Its unique design makes for a great conversation starter. The design is based on a 1920s Vacheron pocket watch evoking nostalgia for a bygone era every time it’s on your wrist.
Under the hood is a manually wound 4400 movement, encased in an 18 karat gold case
I believe there are two kinds of men – one who were born to speed, to race a car, any car, while the other prefers a relaxed drive just to hear the engine purring under the hood.
VC Image Credit – Jase - @maxtor71
If I had to pick two watches, the GP would be on my wrist vroooming down a race track in a flaming red Ferrari California ... and when mood dictated, my Vacheron Constantin American shimmering against the steering wheel of a vintage Jaguar XK120
After all, to dream is free… to go from speed coupled with youthful exuberance to a more sedate and masterful maturity….all the while keeping time with my favourite timepieces. That’s the good life.
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