When it comes to the creations of REC Watches, there is something very consistent, and that is the inspiration from cars/motorsports, as well as the use of actual materials from the cars that inspired the watches in their production process. REC Watches was founded in 2014 by Jonathan Kamstrup and Christian Mygind, and what they do is quite cool… They source excess materials from iconic cars around the world and use them to create unique watches as a tribute to the donor vehicle. And when it comes to the brand's latest model, it is no exception to the rule, as it uses carbon fiber from two Porsche 993 Remastered by Gunther Werks. Meet the new REC Watches 901 GW Exoskeleton & Chelsea.
As always with REC Watches, it all starts with a real car used for inspiration and as the basis for creating new watches. You could say it's a classic. However, the founders of REC have taken this idea a bit further. The abbreviation REC stands for "RECover, RECycle, REClaim." The watches not only have design elements of the cars (or planes) they are associated with, but also incorporate actual materials from donor cars into their case or dial. Excess materials are usually provided to REC Watches during the restoration process of a particular car, and parts from damaged vehicles are recycled into components of brand new watches. Due to the limited nature of excess material, production is, of course, somewhat limited.
To create the new REC Watches 901 GW Exoskeleton & Chelsea, the brand teamed up with the California-based company Gunther Werks, which gives a modern look to the last air-cooled Porsche 911 model - the 993. Along with changing the style and technical elements, the main task of Gunther Werks is to dismantle each car down to the frame and then dress it in its own carbon fiber body. For these new watches, Gunther Werks provided REC Watches with carbon fiber obtained during the assembly of the "Carbon Exoskeleton" and "Chelsea Grey."
These new models are based on a new architecture of an automatic chronograph, part of the 901 collection, which we have already seen in the RWB models. But here, not only has the design been updated with new elements, but the mechanics have become more complex. The case is sharp and modern, with a diameter of 44 mm, although at 46 mm lug-to-lug, it is quite compact. The base is made of stainless steel with numerous decorative elements and features original pushers with multiple recesses and textures. The bezel is inspired by the car's headlight housings. Furthermore, Gunther Werks provided REC Watches with carbon fiber obtained during the creation of the "Carbon Exoskeleton" and "Chelsea Grey." REC then granulated and reformed this material with new carbon fiber to create the visible mid-section of the 901 GW case, which is a departure from the brand's more usual method of integrating recycled parts into the dial. In line with the two cars that inspired the design, there are numerous color accents on the dial, strap, and crown.
Moreover, Gunther Werks provided REC Watches with carbon fiber obtained during the creation of the "Carbon Exoskeleton" and "Chelsea Grey." REC then granulated and reformed this material with new carbon fiber to create the visible mid-section of the 901 GW case, which is a departure from the brand's more usual method of integrating recycled parts into the dial. In line with the two cars that inspired the design, there are numerous color accents on the dial, strap, and crown.
Following the two cars from Gunther Werks, two editions of the REC Watches 901 GW model are offered. The Exoskeleton model is darker, with blue accents, a dark grey openwork dial, and an orange second hand. The Chelsea model is slightly more classic, with a lighter metallic hue echoing the color of the car developed by GW. It features numerous red accents around the perimeter, as well as a combination of grey and white elements.
Inside the case of these REC Watches 901 GW is the well-known Sellita SW 510 B movement, an automatic chronograph with a cam drive, a frequency of 4 Hz, and a power reserve of 62 hours (recently, Sellita has increased the power reserve of most of its movements). The indication on the openwork dial is pleasing - 3-6-9, and there is no date window. Finally, in classic motorsport style, the watch is equipped with a tachymeter scale on the internal flange.
Both editions are worn on a wide leather racing-style strap with soft Alcantara inserts and contrasting stitching. They close with a steel pin buckle and are equipped with a quick-release system.
The REC Watches 901 GW Exoskeleton is released in a limited series of 188 pieces, while the Chelsea version will be released in 232 pieces. The price for each piece is currently 1,836 euros (pre-order price valid until November 1). Deliveries are expected in November 2021, and you can order the watches now on the website www.recwatches.com.
SPECIFICATIONS – REC WATCHES 901 GW CARBON EXOSKELETON & CHELSEA GREY
Case: 44 mm diameter x 14.35 mm height – 46 mm lug-to-lug – stainless steel case, consists of 6 parts with restored carbon fiber mid-section – sapphire crystal with AR coating – screw-down stainless steel case back with engraving – crown with blue or red accent – water resistance 50 m
Dial: Multi-component openwork dial, tachymeter scale on internal flange, hands with blue Super-LumiNova luminescent coating
Movement: Sellita SW 510 B – automatic chronograph with cam-lever architecture – 27 jewels – frequency 4 Hz – power reserve 62 hours – hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters (3-6-9 layout, no date)
Strap: Very wide calf leather strap with colored stitching and Alcantara insert, closes with pin buckle and equipped with quick-release system
References: 901 GW Carbon Exoskeleton (blue accents)
901 GW Chelsea Grey (red accents)
Availability: 901 GW Carbon Exoskeleton – limited to 188 pieces
901 GW Chelsea Grey – limited to 232 pieces
Expected delivery in November 2021
Price: 1,836 euros (pre-order price)