REC Watches has gained popularity for its unusual watches using metal from iconic cars and airplanes, such as the REC P-51 Little Red and Green Hornet, and RNR R.O.C.K.Fighter and BeachRunner. The latest example uses metal from a Land Rover, which again applies to the latest RNR ARKONIK Limited Edition model. The term 'limited edition' is almost inevitable for REC, as the amount of metal available is limited. REC Watches partnered with restoration company Arkonik to create dials from a specific 1984 Land Rover Defender 110, which has its own interesting history.
Andy Hayes founded Land Rovers UK Ltd. in 2007 after a motorcycle accident and a subsequent gift from his wife - a 1984 Land Rover Defender 110. He soon dedicated himself to restoring these Land Rovers, focusing on both authenticity and functional/aesthetic improvements. The name Arkonik emerged in 2016 when the company shifted focus to the US clientele. Of course, only one of Andy's cars truly met REC's unique standards - the original 1984 Defender 110 'Stratos Blue'. Nicknamed 'UJO' after the letters on the license plate, the Arkonik hero vehicle donated its right door, from which REC punched out 302 dials, thus limiting the series to 302 watches. The metal was available because UJO recently underwent a complete restoration.
The REC Watches RNR ARKONIK features a three-piece stainless steel case that is slightly smaller (and therefore more wearable) than the brand standard - 40 mm in diameter and 12 mm in height (48.2 mm lug-to-lug). References to UJO can be found throughout, starting with the case back, engraved with star-shaped alloy rims. Surrounding it are laser engravings that mirror the chassis decor, illustrating Andy's past adventures.
The right side of the case is equipped with crown guards mimicking the truck's grille, and the Arkonik logo and a stripe with UJO's sporty livery are embossed on the left side. The shape of the case itself - a square with rounded corners and a round dial (à la Bell and Ross) - is inspired by the Defender's headlights. The crystal is sapphire with multiple anti-reflective coatings, surrounded by a black rubber bezel. The watch comes with a 22 mm blue rubber strap with quick-release levers, and water resistance is 50 meters.
The dial truly completes the watch, as it is created by UJO itself. The silver aluminum retains surface imperfections as a design element, staying as true as possible to the 1984 classic. Between 8 and 10 o'clock there is a cutout for the blue small seconds subdial with an orange hand and a date window with a partially exposed black wheel on both sides. The matte silver hour and minute hands are skeletonized with Super-LumiNova C3 inserts, and the applied indices at 12, 3, and 6 o'clock are modeled after UJO's fuel cap opening. Two applied logos represent both companies - REC at the top and Arkonik at the bottom.
The movement is a Swiss-made automatic, specifically the Sellita SW290-1 Elaboré grade. It has 31 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 per hour (4 Hz), and a 38-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o'clock, and date. The movement's accuracy is +/- 12 seconds per day. Many will find this movement an upgraded alternative to the Japanese Miyota movements found in other REC collections.
The REC Watches RNR ARKONIK is priced at 1,195 euros or 1,395 USD and is limited to 302 pieces, again due to the number of dials punched from available UJO aluminum. All watches come with a two-year warranty and free shipping.
For more information and to make a purchase, visit the REC website.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - REC WATCHES RNR ARKONIK
Case: 40 mm diameter x 12 mm height - stainless steel (sandblasted and polished) - sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating - black rubber bezel - crown engraved with Land Rover grille - solid case back with engraving - water resistance 50 m.
Dial: silver aluminum from original 1984 Land Rover Defender 110 - cutout between 8 and 10 o'clock for small seconds and date - skeletonized hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova C3 - applied indices at 12, 3, and 9 o'clock in the shape of UJO's fuel cap opening - minute track on blue angled flange around the perimeter
Movement: Sellita SW290-1 (Elaboré grade) - automatic - 31 jewels - 28,800 per hour (4 Hz) - 38-hour power reserve - accuracy +/- 12 seconds per day - central hours, minutes, small seconds, and date
Strap: 22 mm blue rubber with quick-release levers
Availability: limited to 302 pieces
Price: 1,195 EURO, 1,395 USD