The LED wristwatch that channels the spirit of Group C sports cars
It’s a Sauber C9 for the wrist: new Autodromo timepiece unapologetically references Group C era — but it has split opinion
It has been almost four years since we featured a new watch launch from New York-based designer and classic car enthusiast Bradley Price, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy at the drawing board creating interesting new models for his thriving Autodromo brand.
For those unfamiliar with the name, it was established by Price in 2011 after he decided to take his increasingly in-demand skills as an industrial designer down a different road and establish a business that combined his twin passions of old cars and old watches.
Initially an aside to his day job, Autodromo grew organically (and unexpectedly) after being embraced by the global car community which quickly caught on to the automotive influences Price subtly worked in when creating his early, quartz-powered watches such as the Vallelunga, the Veloce and the Brescia.
Confirmation that he was heading along the right lines came in 2012 with the launch of the 500-piece Monoposto limited edition that featured a Miyota mechanical movement. It was inspired by 1950s single-seater racing cars, had a tachometer-inspired crystal marked with a red line just above 9 and cost £550.
The run sold out within days – and one example subsequently offered at a Bonhams Amelia Island auction fetched £3300.
Autodromo has since produced editions celebrating endurance racer Brian Redman, the Group B rally cars of the 1980s and, notably, the latest version of the Ford GT for which the Blue Oval commissioned Price to design the official watch.
The latest model takes its styling cues from the Group C era of 1982-93. It has divided opinion with its retro digital look but Price is unapologetic in aiming to create a piece that symbolises how Group C cars marked the start of an evolution from aluminium to composite bodywork and the increasing use of computer-controlled systems.
He also wanted his design to reflect the advancement of ground effect technology, turbocharging and computer aided design – and the Autodromo Group C Sport Chronograph is the result.
Its slab-sided case, intended to echo the profiles of cars such as the Porsche 962C and Sauber C9, is available in black, grey, green or with a yellow ceramic finish – ultra-tough Cerakote. Price has also added a choice of brightly coloured push-pieces to recall the fluorescent rear-view mirrors that marked out one team from another.
The black and white LCD module has a blue backlight and, as well as offering an ultra-accurate time and date display, also features lap timer, split seconds chronograph and alarm functions.
The watch is supplied on a reversible, moulded rubber strap, but since its equipped with 20mm lugs, it can be adapted with Autodromo’s various leather rally straps.
Autodromo Group C Sport Chronograph, £465. autodromo.com
Singer Reimagined, the watch brand born out of Rob Dickinson’s Singer Vehicle Design – the Porsche restomod business – has teamed with London-based watch e-tailer The Limited Edition to create just 10 special chronographs. Named after Jack Kerouac’s cult novel On the Road, the watch’s hours are indicated by a triangle that revolves around the circumference of the dial, with minutes shown in the conventional way. The central seconds hand, meanwhile, also serves as an on-demand, flyback chronograph pointer. Orange details give a racy look.
Singer Reimagined Flytrack On the Road Edition, £28,690. thelimitededition.co.uk
Since leaving Morgan as head designer a decade ago, Matthew Humphries has juggled freelance work, lecturing and running his watch brand. The latest from his MHD Watches is the SC, inspired by the 1970s creations of Italian designer Marcello Gandini. Humphries has interpreted his signature rear wheel arch into the SC’s stainless steel case. Inside, the vintage theme continues with a sandwich dial comprising a top in grey and a lower section coated in aged Superluminova. Limited to 150 examples.
MHD Watches SC, £550. mhdwatches.com
Precision is written by renowned luxury goods specialist Simon de Burton