Great Machines: Watches: Timely Tribute
06/01/2008
On May 1, 1994, at the San Marino Grand Prix in Italy—a day after securing his 65th pole position in Formula One—Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna went off the now-infamous Tamburello corner, while leading the race in his Williams-Renault FW16 racecar. Senna was not at fault; rather, the car’s steering column malfunctioned, and arguably the greatest F1 racer of all time died in the crash. But time apparently heals all wounds, and 14 years later, Hublot is honoring the driver with the latest addition to its Big Bang line. The Ayrton Senna ($23,500), which will be limited to 500 copies, comprises a polished satin-finish ceramic case, tungsten carbide oscillating weight, natural-rubber strap, as well as front and back sapphire crystals. The watch measures 44 mm in diameter and boasts a self-winding HUB44 split-seconds chronograph movement with a 42-hour power reserve indicator. Senna’s signature in red decorates an otherwise black dial. Hublot will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Instituto Ayrton Senna, an organization that helps underprivileged children in Brazil.Hublot, 954.568.9400, www.hublot.com