This is what happens when Italian super cars and British marquees collide with the likes of Hublot, Roger Dubuis, and Bell & Ross.
Automotive and watchmaking industries were always destined to be aligned. Consider that craftsmanship, aesthetic, and precision are not only highly-valued, but essential in both. Ingenuity is found in slightest weight and movement of parts, working like clockwork (no pun intended) for an improved pleasure of ownership.
Car-watch crossovers – like cars and watches themselves – share visions and standards. These watches are limited-edition odes to super cars, often imitating the design code in the sincerest way possible. Naturally, fans are overjoyed to combine their interests in one neat, ticking package.
Here are some of the all-time favourite car-watch partnerships we dare you to resist.
Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition
Breitling aligns itself with the exclusive craftsmanship of Bentley, marrying performance and elegance in four versions. Each gold, steel, or titanium chronograph is fitted with a respectable 'engine'. This model is named for the bluish Dark Sapphire tints wrapping its ultra-light chassis. It's a tribute to the 2002 Bentley Continental GT - seen in its custom Bentley GT rubber strap, as well as the marquee's iconic stamp. Only 500 were made, each with a 30-second chronograph engine and 70-hour power reserve. Other watches in this collection are Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon, Bentley Supersports B55, and Bentley GMT Midnight Carbon. See them all on the official site. W breitling.com
Bremont BJ-II/BK MKI
Bremont's extensive line began with a mechanical ode to Jaguar C-X75 in 2010. Then came the extensive dedication ot the Jaguar E-type - six chronometres to go with the continuation lightweight E-type sports racing cars. Most recent are three BJ-II models: BK MK1, WK MKII, and BK MKIII. BJ-II/BK MKI here, like BK MKIII, sport sleek black dials on 43 mm cases. This is inspired by the Lightweight RPM gauge, down to that little red quadrant between three and four o'clock. And that's only where it begins. Chamfered hour and minute hands imitate tachnometer needles, while the crown is delicately engraved with the period-respective Dunlop tyre pattern. Turn it over for a full view of the auto winding rotor, with a mini alloy-spoked E-type steering wheel. Naturally, its centred by the Jaguar head. W bremont.com
Bulgari Octo Maserati GranSport
Bulgari's journey with Maserati began in 2012 with the Bulgari Octo Maserati. Then,just last year, came not one but two updates to the standout octagonal dial. Bulgari Octo Maserati GranSport (pictured) captures the two brands' shared Italian craftsmanship in an all-black piece. Eyes are instantly drawn to its black DLC, stainless steel case - a sleek house to the retrograde jumping hours dial, signature to the Octo line. These two versions embodies design codes true to their Maserati GranSport and GranLusso names. Explore the Octo collection further here: W marinis57.com
Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari Aperta
We can't talk about automobile-inspired horology without considering the relationship between Hublot and Ferrari. The overlaps in their identities - bold, loud, often almost garish - delivered the Hublot Big Bang Unico Ferrari Magic Gold, then the Hublot Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph... but allow us to divert your attention to this spectacle of a watch instead. The intrigue of this LaFerrari Aperta tribute lies in its unconventional suspended vertical torbillon design. The hour, minute, and second are displayed on transparent rolls. Its polished smoked sapphire crystal case also houses enough power for 50 days - an admirable 1,200 hours. W hublot.com
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Aventador S
Trust Roger Dubuis to carry out a horological vision befitting the iconic Italian marquee. Lamborghini Squadra Corsa is immortalised in this 88-piece, five-variation release. Its multi-layered, C-SMC-reinforced carbon case lends an understated elegance to the skeleton design Roger Dubuis is known for. We should mention they're also known for engineering ingenuity. For example, the Excalibur Aventador S works at a 2x4 hz frequency, which better resists gravity to deliver precise time. Black rubber strap, bezel colour of choice, and titanium black DLC clasp make for a stunning gentlemen's racing watch. W rogerdubuis.com
Bell & Ross BR-X1 R.S.18
At Baselworld 2018, Bell & Ross announced they were celebrating three years with Renault with three new R.S.18 chronographs. Inspired by the new Renault single-seat race car, these pieces are track-ready as they are squarely stylish. Superluminova-filled numerals, hours, and minute hands give a touch of light to these otherwise dark models. The case is microblasted titanium with rubber inserts and strap, while the skeleton chronograph reinforces the cool factor of this 250-piece Bell & Rose BR-X1 R.S.18 line. Check out BR 03-94 R.S.18 and BR-X1 R.S.18 Tourbillon, along with the story behind this racing collaboration. W bellross.com
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01
With a fresh partnership blossoming, Aston Martin's roaring, refined sytle is being infused into its TAG Heuer creations. This particular piece has a black skeleton dial with three counters, excluding the date window at 3.30. Polished and sand-blasted hands tick along the Carrera Heuer 01's neat dial. The case and lugs boast fine-brushed black titanium carbide. Inside, an automatic original calibre rapidly corrects the date, while power reserve is set at 90 hours with chronograph operating. This uncomplicated, uniform design exudes sophistication in its all-black form, recalling the unspoken elegance of Aston Martin, but on your wrist. W tagheuer.com
(swipe left for more)
Images: Respective manufacturers