Cabestan Scuderia Ferrari One (picture above)

Price: c£250,000

From: www.cabestan.ch

Now that Panerai’s deal to make official Ferrari watches has come to an end, niche brand Cabestan has joined forces with the prancing horse marque to create the extraordinary-looking Scuderia Ferrari One.

Based on the original Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical, which was inspired by the world of yachting and is wound by a miniature capstan, the new watch is the product of a collaboration between Cabestan founder Jean-Francois Ruchonnet and Ferrari design director Flavio Manzoni.

The case is made from titanium supplied by Ferrari and the magnesium alloy sides are adorned with wheel-like fittings. The massive, thermo-formed crystal overhangs the edges of the case and allows a clear view of the 809-part ‘engine’ of the watch, which uses a 21st-century version of the traditional ‘fusee’ chain movement claimed to be accurate to a second per day. Watchmaker Eric Coudray apparently rivets together all 235 links of the tiny chain by hand.

The numbers on the revolving aluminium drums that give the time reading are said to be based on those found on cockpit instruments, while the movement is topped-off with a lump of carbon composite decorated with the Ferrari logo.

It is thought that no more than 60 examples will be made and they will only be made available to Ferrari clients – at a cost of around £250,000 apiece, which is not that far off the price of a new 599 GTO. Discuss.

Oris RAID (picture right)

Price: £2300  

From: www.oris.ch

This year sees the 20th RAID rally, a long-distance regularity trial for pre-1975 classics that starts in Basel on August 26 and finishes in Paris three days and almost 1000km later. To mark the occasion, Oris has produced a limited edition of 500 RAID chronographs with a dial
based on the dashboard instruments of the 1952 Jaguar XK120 that won last year’s event. The 43.5mm steel-cased chrono has a nicely understated, retro look and, in typical Oris style, is reasonably priced at £2300.