Racing along with the Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph

So many of our readers, especially those starting their first collections, ask about affordable timepieces. By the same token, a lot of you ask about car-inspired timepieces. Today we bring you the best of both worlds with the Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph. Inspired by the world of vintage motoring, Autodromo watches are a relatively new breed- created in small batches at a time. In fact, the founder of the brand is an industrial designer who wanted to create unique pieces in the spirit of rally days, when driving was about style and a little danger. The watches blend this philosophy with a contemporary but minimalist style inspired by dashboard instruments, driving gloves, upholstery and other automotive elements.

Two new auto-inspired chronographs – Nero and Silver – race on to the scene – giving those who wanted the now-sold-out Vic Elford Special Edition Autodromo a new chance. The Prototipo Nero is created in black-plated stainless steel with a mix of matte and brushed finishes and bright racing-stripe yellow hands against the black dial. The watch features the rally strap that was first offered on the Vic Elford Edition. The Prototipo Silver Dial features – well – a silver dial. But that combined with a bright orange hands and racing orange leather rally strap zooms in a   cool 70’s look. The Prototipo chronographs, powered by hybrid Japanese movements, are accurate to 1/5^th of a second and offer the instant reset action of a mechanical chronograph.  Up to 24 hours can be traced on the subdials.

Even better is the fact that the watch offers a tachymeter scale and a pulsometer scale – so you know how fast your heart is beating while you are racing at top speeds. The watches retail for a winning $625.