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POLE POSITION From racetrack to wrist Hanhart Racemaster GTF Think of any major motorsport event from the 1960s and 1970s: chances are it was recorded by a timekeeper with a clipboard in one hand and a Hanhart stopwatch in the other. The company – which is based in Germany and was once a regular at the infamous Nürburgring racetrack – was renowned for its association with motor racing. Now it’s drawing on this illustrious heritage with the Racemaster GTF, a chronograph watch that combines classic style (the anthracite/orange colour scheme and calfskin strap are a throwback to the design of vehicles of the period) with contemporary engineering. The result? A watch that’s nowhere near as damage-prone as a 50-year-old racecar. That’s thanks to a tough 45mmdiameter case made from
HDSPro steel – a steel that measures up to 700 on the Vickers hardness scale and is 100 times more scratchresistant than conventional stainless steel. Some things never change, though: Hanhart’s trademark flyback function, which enables you to stop, reset and restart the chronograph with a single button-press, is still present and correct. hanhartchrono.com
The distinctive flyback button harks back to Hanhart’s original 1940 chronograph used by Luftwaffe pilots in World War II. The button was once smothered in red nail varnish by an officer’s wife to distinguish it from the other dials – a design detail that remains on all its chronographs today.
NEED FOR SPEED Stylish timepieces inspired by classic motors
Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Chrono Chopard has sponsored the Mille Miglia – an Italian classic and vintage car race – since 1988. Its current wrist-bound homage comprises a tried-and-trusted ETA 7750 Valjoux movement, a 44mm stainless-steel casing and a 1960s Dunlop tyre-style rubber wristband. chopard.com
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Certina DS Podium Big Size Chronograph – WRC Limited Edition As official timekeeper of the FIA World Rally Championship, Certina has brought its precise tech to this stainlesssteel watch, limited to 5,000 pieces. The Precidrive movement ensures accuracy to 1/100th of a second. certina.com
Frédérique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Swiss watchmaker Frédérique Constant has had a long and fruitful relationship with Healey cars, and now fans of the British roadster can treat themselves to two special 2015 Vintage Rally models – available in stainless steel or gold. frederique-constant.com
THE RED BULLETIN