Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/835998
Automobile enthusiasts' tight bond with timepieces dates to the earliest days of motor sports. Drivers would strap big, bulky pocket watches to their wrists to measure timing and speed, either while maneuvering new race tracks or hitting a straightaway on a dusty back road. But as car and timepiece technologies both advanced, drivers began looking to watchmak- ers for pieces that met their specific needs. Watch brands not only responded to this call but drew from it, with auto-design inspiration informing some of history's most highly engineered and iconic pieces. (In many instances, watchmakers teamed up with specific automakers, racing teams, or races to create ticking tributes to them.) Some of the world's most illustrious brands have revisited this racing tradition for summer, debuting exceptional timepieces that double as copilots for when the need for speed strikes. For more watch features and expanded coverage go to boston- common-magazine.com/ watches-and-jewelry . THIS SEASON, THE BEST OF AUTO-INSPIRED AND RACING WATCHES HIT THE OPEN ROAD WITH SPEED AND STYLE. BY ALDOUS TUCK TRACK TIME CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: With a history of being inspired by auto racing Girard Perregaux's Competizione Circuito Chronograph ($13,200) takes its name from the Italian words for "competition" and "track circuit" and has the look of a high-end automobile. The case is made of a feather light titanium-carbon composite and the black dial features honeycomb openwork that resembles a car's grille. The black, calfskin strap features a carbon effect to continue to sporty design. Available at Royal Jewelers, 58 Main St., Andover, 978-475-3330; girard-perregaux.com Rolex introduced the first Cosmograph Dayton in 1963 to satisfy the demands of professional drivers. This Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18-carat white gold ($28,800), introduced this year at Baselworld, continues that tradition with its perpetual, self-winding mechanical chronograph movement powered by its 4130 Manufacture Rolex calibre. The watch has a 72-hour power reserve and is waterproof to 100 meters. Available at Lux, Bond & Green, 416 Boylston St., 617-266-4747; rolex.com Created to celebrate the new Bentley's Continental Supersports, the fastest Bentleys ever built, the Breitling for Bentley Supersports B55 ($7,785) made its debut at this spring's Baselworld. The sporty chronograph features an ultra-light titanium case and carbon fiber dial, a connected B55 movement that allows the wearer to access functions dedicated to motorsports that connects to their smartphone. Created in a limited- edition of 500 pieces. Available Upon Request at Sidney Thomas at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., 617-262-0935; breitling.com Among a myriad of racing laurels, TAG Heuer holds the title of Official Timekeeper of the legendary Carrera Panamericana, giving this TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 ($7,500) part of its name. The watch's Swiss made calibre 1887 automatic movement provides the rest. The black dial has a sunray effect with three counters: chronograph minute at 9 o'clock, chronograph hour at 3 o'clock and running second at 6 o'clock. This watch has a 50-hour power reserve. Available at Royal Jewelers, 58 Main St., Andover, 978-475-3330; tagheuer.com AS TECHNOLOGIES ADVANCED, DRIVERS BEGAN LOOKING TO WATCHMAKERS FOR PIECES THAT MET THEIR NEEDS. 68 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM STYLE TIME HONORED