Imagine a man sat in his workshop, carefully sketching out his latest design. He has a dilemma. He wants to create something beautiful, something elegant. But at the same time, it has to be functional, every component has to fit together perfectly. It’s a combination of art and engineering, building something that people will one day desire more than anything else. Who am I describing? A car designer or a watch maker?
Both have the same commitment to their cause. That perfect blend of form and function. It’s no wonder that over the years, some of the world’s top car makers have joined forces with leading watch makers to create something special. Those who know about style or presentation know that there is no better signifier than what a man’s wearing on his wrist or parking in his garage.
Two British brands. One long established for its quality of product and service, a British icon. Another a quick riser, reputation formed through the hardwork and passion put into their work. Jaguar and Bremont have formed a successful partnership over the past few years, cemented last year when they came together to design something special. Jaguar revealed that as part of their heritage program, they would be recreating the iconic E-type for a limited run of six lightweight models.
As part of the project, the six owners would also receive a specially designed watch from Bremont, each engraved with the engine number of their car. These will compliment the MKI and MKII watches, also inspired by the car, that will be available to those who missed out on the E-type. Each watch comes with features including a black dial based on the Jaguar's RPM gauge and hands inspired by the car's tachometer needle. The back of each watch is transparent, allowing you to look through the crystal and see the watch in action. Should you wish to adjust the time, then you will have to adjust a mechanism designed to replicate the E-type steering wheel. A distinctive watch for all fans of the Jaguar E-Type.
The partnership does not end there. Bremont have designed several custom made clocks for the Jaguar concept cars: the C-X75 and the XJ75 Platinum. Built to help celebrate Jaguar's 75th anniversary, the clocks seamlessly fit in with the aesthetics of the concept vehicles. Bremont and Jaguar. Truly a perfect partnership.
One of the most successful partnerships has been between Breitling and Bentley. Formed back in 2003, Breitling have traditionally been associated with aeronautics, having sponsored a jet racing team and owning its own Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation. When it came to forming a partnership with a car maker, it needed to find a company that fits its image - instruments for professionals. In Bentley they found the perfect match.
Described as being "Born from the encounter between the grand art of British carmaking and the great Swiss watchmaking tradition", the partnership between the two distinctive companies is no better signified than with the Bentley Continental GT. The start of their relationship, Bentley asked Breitling to design the dashboard clock for their new grand tourer. The first car to be produced by Bentley after the Volkswagen takeover, they needed something special to put aside any doubts. Breitling duly delivered.
After the Continental GT, Bentley and Breitling teamed up once again for Le Mans in 2003. Bentley won the race, with Breitling creating a special watch to celebrate the victory. From there, the partnership has blossomed, with Breitling launching its own "Breitling for Bentley" brand. Classic Bentley stylings have been included in the range, such as "knurled" bezels which describes a crisscrossed diamond shape cut into the metal. The brand goes from strength to strength, as the two companies show just how beautiful a partnership like this can be.
"Marriage is the crowning of the perfect union of two twin souls. The tangible sign of two peoples desire to build something strong and enduring as a symbol of their commitment to each other. In the world of horology, such marriages are referred to as partnerships and involve a similar level of commitment."
The introduction to the Hublot and Ferrari partnership page clearly states just what these partnerships mean to the companies involved. You can't associate your brand, your image, your reason for being with just anyone. The Hublot and Ferrari partnership is one of the youngest, having been established for just over two years.
Hublot have created a stunning watch as part of their partnership. The MP-05 "LaFerrari" is a beautiful piece of work, unlike any other watch seen before. Created from 637 separate components (the most of any Hublot watch), the timepiece was made in paralell with the LaFerrari, a tribute to the supercar but also a piece of art in its own right. Having partnered with superstar athletes like Floyd Mayweather and Usain Bolt, the Ferrari partnership looks like it will be another successful combination of design, engineering and style.
Formula One. The greatest motorsport on the planet. A sport of high speeds, fast racing, and iconic characters that make men envious around the globe. Senna. Hunt. Schumacher. Names that transcend the boundaries of the sport, becoming symbols of aspiration for any men with a sense of style. It’s no wonder then that the top horologists want to have their timepieces associated with these great men.
Tag Heuer have long associated themselves with the top F1 drivers. The most iconic watch is their Monaco brand, with variations worn by F1 greats David Coulthard, Alain Prost, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, as well as the king of cool himself Steve McQueen. The partnership with the Mclaren team continues to be successful, perhaps more so than the team’s success on the track.
It seems surprising that Rolex have only recently become officially involved with Formula One. Perhaps the world’s most famous watch brand, Rolex has long held an interest in motorsport and the icons associated with it. Three time F1 championship winner Sir Jackie Stewart became a spokesman for the brand, regularly wearing a rolex in the pits at grand prixs. He was often joined by Paul Newman, the screen legend and keen motorsport enthusiast. He wore the famous Daytona watch during the filming of motorsport drama “Winning” in 1969. He liked the watch so much that he continued wearing them off screen. The “Paul Newman” Daytona watch has become something of a holy grail for enthusiasts, with a model selling at Christie’s for a staggering $1.1 million.
When looking to refine your presentation or style, you can’t do things in half measures. Even just a single piece of the puzzle out of place will ruin the whole effect. If you are looking for a new car, why not contact Creditplus and see how we can help you find a car to match your ambition? You’ll be surprised at just what you can afford, with our team of expert buyers able to get the inside track at dealerships across the country. What have you got to lose? Call us on 0800 1777 290 or apply online for car finance.
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