When it comes to design, the Italians know how to get it right. From high fashion and fast cars to lavish jewels and striking watches, there’s something to be said for the Italian take on design. Typically bold, imaginative, and expertly crafted, objects that flaunt Italian flair never shy away from standing out. So what happens when the famed Italian carmaker, Ferrari, and the luxury watch brand born in Italy, Panerai, team up? The head-turning Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante watch. Let’s dig in.

The Panerai and Ferrari Partnership

The partnership between Ferrari and Panerai began in the mid-2000s when the duo unveiled the Ferrari Engineered by Officine Panerai collection. Although it was short-lived, coming to an end about five years later, the relationship did create a handful of gorgeous watches.

The Ferrari Engineered by Officine Panerai collection was divided into several lines including Scuderia, Granturismo, and special editions. Part of the appeal of the Panerai Ferrari watches is that they were produced in limited quantities, therefore there aren’t that many in the market.

Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante

A particularly attractive model that came out of the partnership is this Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante FER00005 we see here. Sporting a generous 45mm stainless steel cushioned-shaped case, the shape of the case is unmistakably Panerai while still different from its Luminor and Radiomir counterparts.

There are Ferrari inspirations throughout the Panerai watch. The dial of the Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante features a speedometer-like design, especially on the three registers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Of course, there are flashes of crimson all over the dark dial–Ferrari’s favorite color.

Complementing the chronograph functionality of the watch is the tachymeter scale running the periphery of the dial, allowing wearers to measure average speeds of racing cars. The black dial has a beautiful hobnail design, adding more depth to the face of the watch, while sitting proudly at 12 o’clock is Ferrari’s famous prancing horse.

The chronograph pushers and winding crown that protrude from the right hand of the case also have a touch of motorsport spirit with a textured finish that resembles car tires. As its name suggests, the Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante is not a standard chronograph but rather, a rattrapante, which is French for a split-seconds chronograph. That means the user can time two simultaneous events using the pusher located on the bottom left-hand corner of the case.

Through the sapphire caseback we can see the automatic movement powering the watch. The Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante offers a 42-hour power reserve. Finishing off the look of the watch is an attractive black alligator strap with a steel deployant clasp, complete with a FERRARI engraving.

A Timepiece for Car and Watch Fans

While relationships between carmakers and watchmakers are not uncommon, there are some spawn better watches than others and the Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante is certainly one of them.

Blending a respect for high performing cars, high-end watchmaking, and Italian design, the Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Rattrapante is a great watch for someone who loves automobiles and timepieces.

While these days it seems that vintage manual-wound Rolex Daytona chronographs are the stars of the auction world and watch collecting circles, it was only when the Daytona became an automatic watch that it really captured the public’s attention. Back in the day, the hand-wound Daytona chronographs were deemed as passé given their smallish 37.5mm case sizes and caliber type. In the late 1980s, Rolex finally modernized their flagship chronograph collection with the release of the automatic Daytona watches. Join us as we delve into the history and evolution of the automatic Rolex Daytona to see how it all began and where it stands today.

Part I: The Zenith Daytona

Rolex unveiled the first automatic Daytona watches in 1988. While these watches featured a similar style to the preceding manual-wound Daytona watches, these were different chronographs altogether. First, they featured larger 40mm Oyster cases, which were equipped for the first time with crown guards. Just like the later models of the four-digit Daytona watches, the new five-digit ones included screw-down chronograph pushers, as well as the robust Triplock winding crown.

What’s more, Rolex furnished the then-new Daytona watches with scratch-resistant sapphire crystals rather than acrylic ones. While the new dials kept the trio of registers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, there were some design modifications. For instance, the white gold applied baton indexes now included pointed tips, the subdials featured borders rather than being completely filled in, and luminescence was applied more generously.

Additionally, the automatic Daytona watches from this era only had metal bezels (no more aluminum inserts), of course, engraved with the signature tachymeter scale.

However, the biggest change to the Daytona collection was the use of an automatic movement. The first generation of the automatic Rolex Daytona watches ran on Caliber 4030 with a 54-hour power reserve. This is not an in-house movement but rather, one that is based on the famous Zenith El Primero chronograph movement with a column wheel and horizontal clutch. Yet, Rolex did heavily modify the movement to suit the needs of the Daytona including removing the date, dropping the frequency rate from 36,000bph to 28,800bph, and adding a new escapement. Overall, it’s estimated that Rolex made over 200 modifications to the original Zenith El Primero caliber to created the completed Cal. 4030.

For the company’s first automatic Daytona collection, Rolex released a vast array of editions featuring different materials, bracelet choices, dials options, and gem selections. There was the stainless steel Daytona ref. 16520, the two-tone steel and gold Daytona ref. 16523, and the full 18k yellow gold Daytona ref. 16528, all fitted with Oyster bracelets. Then there are the leather band options as seen on the yellow gold Daytona ref. 16518 and white gold Daytona ref. 16519. There’s even an ultra-rare (it’s estimated that only five were ever made, commissioned by former Rolex chief executive Patrick Heiniger) platinum version, the Daytona ref. 16516.

Part II: The Daytona with an In-House Movement

In 2000, Rolex unveiled a brand new in-house chronograph movement, the Caliber 4130. Rather than using an outsourced movement base, this time the Swiss watch giant built their own from scratch.

Packed with a slew of inventions, patents, and cutting-edge mechanics, the Rolex Caliber 4130 automatic chronograph movement utilizes a more efficient vertical clutch system rather than the more common lateral clutch system. As a result, the tendency for the chronograph hand to jitter is eliminated. Furthermore, using the chronograph functionality doesn’t affect the watch’s timekeeping capabilities. What’s more, compared to the Cal. 4030, the Cal. 4130 boasts a longer power reserve of 72 hours. Finally, because the Caliber 4130 uses fewer screws and parts than its predecessor, it’s easier for watchmakers to service.

The new Caliber 4130 movements made their debut in a brand new collection of Daytona watches, this time with six-digit reference numbers. The in-house movement powered Daytona watches retained most of the same design, such as the characteristic 40mm Oyster cases and screw-down pushers and winding crown. However, because of the new movement, the dial included some modifications. Most notably, the subdials at 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock switched positions so that the running seconds now sits at 6 o’clock. Furthermore, the three registers are spread a little further apart compared to the ones on the Zenith Daytona watches.

In terms of model styles, there are plenty to choose from within the six-digit Daytona collection. There’s the stainless steel Daytona ref. 116520, the two-tone yellow gold and steel Daytona ref. 116523, the yellow gold Daytona ref. 116528 and ref. 116508, and the white gold Daytona ref. 116529 and ref. 116509. For leather strap Daytona models, there’s the yellow gold Daytona ref. 116518 and the white gold Daytona ref. 116519. Plus, a first for the Daytona collection, in 2008 Rolex added an Everose edition with the Daytona ref. 116505. Finally, Rolex also made several ultra-lavish gem-set versions such as the Daytona “Rainbow” watches, the Daytona “Leopard,” and platinum Daytona watches blanketed with diamonds.

Part III: Daytona Chronographs with Ceramic Bezels

In 2011, Rolex added a brand new feature to the Daytona collection–a ceramic bezel. This followed in the footsteps of Rolex’s other sports watches like the GMT-Master II and the Submariner, which already had versions equipped with the scratch-resistant and fadeproof Cerachrom ceramic bezel.

The first Daytona to feature the Rolex-patented ceramic alloy was the Everose Daytona ref. 116515LN with a black bezel. Following this, Rolex released the special anniversary Daytona ref. 116506 in 2013 in platinum with a brown ceramic bezel. This was the first time the Daytona was available to the public in platinum.

Over the next years, Rolex started adding the coveted ceramic bezel to a host of different metal Daytona watches including the white gold Daytona ref. 116519LN and the yellow gold Daytona ref. 116518LN. However, the most popular ceramic Daytona model to date is the stainless steel Daytona ref. 116500LN in stainless steel, which came out in 2016.

It’s important to note that the newer Daytona watches with ceramic bezels also run on the in-house Caliber 4130 movement. However, Rolex did redefine their “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certifed” label in 2015 to guarantee a -/+ 2 accuracy rating and a longer five-year warranty.

It’s hard to overstate the popularity of the Rolex Daytona. It is one of the most sought-after and recognizable luxury chronograph watches in the world. With an appealing combination of fantastic design, impressive mechanics, and a wide choice of materials and styles, it’s no wonder that the automatic Daytona became the must-have chronograph despite its once slow-selling predecessor. A triumphant finish to a sluggish start, indeed!

While the Swiss are famous for leading the charge in fine watchmaking, there are other nations that boast a proud history of horology. Take for example the German watchmaker, A. Lange & Söhne. Based in Saxony, the heart of German watchmaking, A. Lange & Söhne is undoubtedly one of the top producers of haute horology. If you’re unfamiliar with the intricacies of this renowned luxury watch brand, then read our guide to different A. Lange & Söhne models to discover just what this watch manufacture has to offer.

Brief History of A. Lange & Söhne

In 1845, Ferdinand A. Lange established a watchmaking workshop in the town of Glashütte, Saxony. Later joined by his son, the family business went on to produce some of the most luxurious pocket watches in the world, often coveted by royalty.

A century after the company’s founding, the A. Lange & Söhne workshops were bombed during a raid on the very last day of World War II in 1945. Eventually, the company was taken by the East German state and the Lange family had to flee. Prior to this appropriation, Walter Lange, the great-grandson of the founder, had trained as a watchmaker in hopes to continue his family’s legacy.

East and West Germany reunified on October 3, 1990–almost one year after the fall of the Berlin Wall–and Walter Lange re-registered A. Lange & Söhne as a trademark in December that very same year. It wasn’t until 1994 that Walter Lange and the rest of his team presented four models to the world: Lange 1, Arkade, Saxonia, and Tourbillon Pour le Mérite. The new A. Lange & Söhne watches were met with great success and the company was bought by the Richemont Group in 2000.

Today, A.Lange & Söhne is regarded as the pinnacle of fine German watchmaking and continues to create incredibly beautiful and technical timepieces. Let’s take a closer look at different A. Lange & Söhne models.

A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1

Since its debut in the 1990s, the Lange 1 has remained as A. Lange & Söhne flagship watch. Characterized by an asymmetric dial layout with an oversized date window fashioned after the Five-Minute Clock of the Semper Opera House in Dresden, the Lange 1 is the most recognizable model from the company’s catalog. Also on the dial are an off-center hour and minute subdial, a running seconds subdial, and a power reserve indicator.

Lange 1 timepieces sport 38.5mm cases that are mostly crafted in precious metals–there are very few examples in stainless steel–and come fitted with leather straps. The sapphire casebacks of the watch reveal the stunning A. Lange & Söhne manual-wound movements within with Ferdinand A. Lange’s groundbreaking invention, the three-quarter plate made of German silver. Prior to 2015, Lange 1 watches ran on Caliber L901.0 with a 72-hour power reserve thanks to a twin mainspring barrel. In 2015, A. Lange & Söhne launched a new generation of Lange 1 watches with a brand new manual-wound movement (the 50th to come out of the manufacture), the Caliber L121.1 with the same power reserve, but with a larger free-sprung balance wheel and instantaneous jump date feature.

A. Lange & Söhne 1815

Presented in 1996, the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 collection of watches pays tribute to the birth year of the founder, Ferdinand A. Lange. As such, these modern ALS timepieces carries on the design traditions of vintage pocket watches from the center hands and subdial seconds layout to the Arabic numeral hour markers to the railway-track minute scale.

Take for example the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 ref. 206.032. It dons a 36mm rose gold case with matching rose gold details on the silvered dial. Note the blued hands on the running seconds indicator–a hand color often found on vintage pocket watches. The back of the watch gives us a view of the exquisite manual-wound Lange movement within while the watch’s classic style is finished with a brown alligator strap and 18k rose gold tang buckle.

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph

In 1999, A. Lange & Söhne caused a sensation with the launch of the Datograph, the brand’s signature chronograph family, which sits under the Saxonia collection. While A. Lange & Söhne does offer more complex versions of the Datograph such as perpetual calendar editions and tourbillion models, the flyback chronograph Datograph is the quintessential model.

The A. Lange & Söhne Flyback Datograph ref. 403.035 carries a 39mm platinum case houses a black dial that is packed yet balanced. There’s the iconic oversized date at 12 o’clock followed by the duo of registers. Plus, the tachymeter scale runs the periphery of the dial alongside the minute track, while applied Roman numerals mark the hours. Flip the watch around and you’ll be treated to a full view of the hand-wound Caliber L951, which does not hide under a three-quarter plate but rather, happily shows off its intricate construction.

A. Lange & Söhne Langematik

After three years of producing hand-wound timepieces, in 1997, A. Lange & Söhne launched their first automatic watch with the Langematik. While early editions included time-only and time and date models, the company soon followed those up with more complex versions like the Langematik Perpetual Calendar.

The A. Lange & Söhne Langematik Perpetual Calendar ref. 310.032 starts with an 18k yellow gold 38.5mm case and silvered dial. On that dial, we see the combination of complications that makes this particular Lagematik a practical piece of wristwear. Along with the center hour and minute hands, the Langematik Perpetual Calendar features the small seconds, day, date, month, moonphase, am/pm indicator, leap-year indicator and zero-reset mechanism. Of course, as a perpetual calendar, as long as the watch keeps running, it’ll correctly update automatically taking into consideration the number of days in a month as well as leap years. As with all perpetual calendar watches, the only time the watch will need a manual adjustment is in 2100 when the leap year will be disregarded.

With an intriguing history, its progression of German haute horology, spectacular finishes, intricate movements, and iconic designs, A. Lange & Söhne is the epitome of fine watchmaking. Coveted by many but owned by just the few who, A. Lange & Söhne watches are simply exemplary and worthy of their grail status. And with a wide range of different A. Lange & Söhne models to choose from, it might be a challenge to pick just one.