Elite Traveler Summer 2020

STYLE MEN’S WATCHES

by Roberta Naas

Cars and wristwatches practically grew up together. Both were born at the turn of the 20th century and, during the mid-20th century, many watch brands were inspired by the aerodynamics of automobile racing and world racing records that were being set on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. Watchmakers sponsored racecar drivers and races around the world, and designed sports watches with exciting auto inspirations. Today, this alliance continues, with some brands taking those partnerships a step further by joining forces with automobile makers, often borrowing aerodynamic design strategies and high-tech materials to bring car-inspired watches to new heights AUTO-INSPIRED TIMING

BREMONT JAGUAR D-TYPE British watch brand Bremont, which is close to opening a full-fledged, vertically integrated watch manufacture in Henley-on-Thames, naturally would only join forces with a British automotive brand: Jaguar. Now, after several collaborations since 2014, the brand has created the Jaguar D-Type to honor Jaguar Classic’s reinstated production of the D-Type race car of the 1950s. The mechanical chronograph celebrates the golden era of motorsports with a vintage motif. The watch features a blue dial with a bi-compax chronograph and brushed nickel subdials. Red accents and a tachymeter outer dial ring complete the robust look of the 43mm chronometer. A sapphire crystal caseback allows for viewing of the rotor, which is shaped like the Jaguar steering wheel. The crown, topped with the Jaguar logo in enamel, is etched with the original Dunlop tire tread motif. $7,295 in satin-finished stainless steel. Bremont in New York, +1 212 321 0012, bremont.com

BREITLING PREMIER BENTLEY MULLINER LIMITED EDITION For 17 years, Swiss watch brand Breitling has had a long and rich partnership with famed British marque Bentley. This year, the two take their focus to a new realm: the Bentley Mulliner. The Mulliner workshop has created tailor-made models for Bentley since 1959 and, this year, they pulled out all the stops with the Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Convertible — possibly the most luxurious GT to date —which features a Breitling clock in the dashboard. In honor of their collaboration, Breitling created a coordinated watch to mimic the dashboard clock. The 42mm timepiece with a silver dial and red and blue accents offers a central chronograph with the second hand in red and a tachymeter bezel. The COSC- certified chronometer is powered by the brand’s 346-part

CHOPARD MILLE MIGLIA GTS AZZURRO POWER CONTROL Inspired by the Mille Miglia classic car rally that takes place along 1,000 miles of the most scenic routes in Italy (Chopard is the official timekeeper of the race), the Mille Miglia GTS Azzurro Power Control watch features a host of auto- inspired details. The stunning blue dial recalls vintage racing cars, the bright-red accents and hands are the official Mille Miglia red, and the date indication is framed by a direction arrow. The 60-hour power-reserve indicator resembles a car’s fuel gauge, and the case sides are grooved with a distinctive pattern that emulates an engine’s pistons. The 43mm watch is powered by an in-house, self-winding movement that is a COSC-certified chronometer. It is finished with a leather strap with perforations that recall driving gloves and steering wheel covers. $9,990 in stainless steel and 18K rose gold. Chopard in New York, +1 800 246 7273, chopard.com

Caliber 01, which has 70 hours of power reserve. $8,650 in stainless steel. Breitling in New York, +1 855 999 1884, breitling.com