New York-based boutique model Autodromo has been devoted to bringing glossy classic automotive aesthetics to reasonably priced watchmaking over the previous decade, creating indie fan favorites impressed by ‘80s Group B rallying and the unique Ford GT40 alongside the best way. In celebration of its 10th anniversary for 2021, the automotive-inspired model has paired with watch media platform Worn & Wound to ship a limited-edition revival of considered one of its most beloved early fashions. With a clear new blue-on-gray colorway and a sharply fashionable twist on ‘70s sports activities chronograph cues, the brand new Autodromo x Worn & Wound Prototipo Restricted Version affords a sporty and handsomely versatile assertion piece that celebrates a decade of Autodromo designs.
The 42mm stainless-steel tonneau case of the Autodromo x Worn & Wound Prototipo Restricted Version evokes basic ‘70s chronograph case designs such because the Omega Speedmaster Mark II and the Heuer Montreal, however with a glossy modern veneer in preliminary photographs. A lot of this extra streamlined impression comes from the scale of the case itself, with a relatively svelte 11.5mm thickness because of the meca-quartz motion inside. The opposite aspect of this extra fashionable character, naturally, comes from the Prototipo Restricted Version’s ending. The gunmetal grey ion-plated coating provides the case a darkish titanium-esque look in photographs whereas permitting the grain of the case’s aggressive brushing to shine by way of. Autodromo’s most distinctive design selection right here, nonetheless, comes with the broad case chamfer. Slightly than the same old polished line, the Prototipo opts for a matte blasted end right here, establishing the case edges as a darker define quite than a conventional spotlight. It’s a delicate change, however one which has a profound impression on the character of the design. The screw-fastened strong caseback is adorned with a novel commemorative engraving, celebrating the tenth anniversary of each Autodromo and Worn & Wound in Worn & Wound’s distinctive rounded graphic model. Water resistance for the Autodromo x Worn & Wound Prototipo Restricted Version is a quite underwhelming 50 meters.
By way of ending, the dial of the Autodromo x Worn & Wound Prototipo Restricted Version comfortably punches above its value vary in photographs. The graphite grey principal dial’s radial brushed end is delicate and nuanced in photographs, with a pleasingly matte floor and a mélange of highlights and lowlights. The azurage on the recessed subdials is equally effectively accomplished, with a lightweight and even end. It’s the Prototipo’s use of coloration that basically steals the present, nonetheless, with daring ice blue accents on the central chronograph seconds hand, subdial palms, minutes observe, and the pulsometer scale of the raised Speedmaster Mark II-style inner bezel. Autodromo’s dial textual content work can also be value mentioning, with a easy rounded typeface that balances clear modernism with the heat of midcentury Italian graphic design in photographs. Like earlier iterations of the Prototipo, nonetheless, this new dial just isn’t with out its controversial parts. Initially is the slim black baton handset. Earlier fashions within the sequence have drawn criticism for the size of the principle hour hand, making hours and minutes tough to distinguish, and this new mannequin repeats this similar resolution. The undersized utilized indices can also show divisive, contributing to potential legibility points in photographs.
The Autodromo x Worn & Wound Prototipo Restricted Version makes use of the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz chronograph motion. With a mechanical chronograph module that enables for a conventional 1/5-second sweep for the chronograph seconds hand and provides a satisfyingly snappy really feel to the pushers, this more and more widespread hybrid motion provides manufacturers a method to deliver the tactile expertise of a mechanical chronograph to patrons at a much more reasonably priced value level. The quartz base motion additionally provides this watch quartz-style accuracy and reliability however does saddle the Prototipo with a quartz-style ticking hand for the 6 o’clock operating seconds subdial. Autodromo’s strap pairing for this new Prototipo is fastidiously thought-about, integrating handsomely into the general colorway in photographs. This Italian-made perforated suede rally strap in medium grey pays tribute to the racing legacy of this design, whereas additionally imbuing it with a pop of rugged textural attraction.
With a masculine and moody coloration palette coupled to wonderful ending and a basic vintage-inspired design, the Autodromo x Worn & Wound Prototipo Restricted Version affords a handsomely reserved and charismatic tribute to the model’s first decade in watchmaking. Solely 150 examples of the Autodromo x Worn & Wound Prototipo Restricted Version shall be made, and the watch is out there now completely by way of Worn & Wound’s Windup Watch Store on-line gross sales platform at an MSRP of $625. For extra particulars, please go to the Windup Watch Store.
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