In the world of fashion, Italian made garments are highly coveted. This has now translated to the world of horology with an emergence of Italian watch labels now entering the market. Over the last few years brands like U-Boat and Panerai have achieved a huge amount of success with their bold and distinctive designs. Celebrities like Arnold Schwartzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Nicholas Cage have endorsed both these watchmakers. Ultimately this has increased sales and overall visibility within the watch industry. Another watchmaker that is becoming ever more popular is Meccaniche Veloci.
Even though Meccaniche Veloci was established eight years ago they have never really achieved the popularity of U-Boat and Panerai. This is probably because many people still consider them as a niche watchmaker. They also spend very little money on marketing compared to other similar priced brands. Nevertheless they have attracted the attention of personalities like Dynamo the magician and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. Although with his fame increasing Ronaldo has become a brand ambassador for Gucci and Jacob & Co.
Back in May 2013, I was fortunate enough to review one of the fantastic models from the popular Quattro Valvole collection. Although I love all the watches in the range my personal favourite is the limited edition version constructed from Brembo Carbon Ceramic brakes. Last year Mecchaniche Veloci released a new watch called the Chrono Driver. Due to the generosity of Nicholas Hooper from Mad Associates (authorized Australian Distributer) I have managed to get my hands on one of these stylish watches.
My first impression of the watch when I received it was mainly positive. The 38mm diameter timepiece has a distinctive swinging frame, which makes it appear much larger. The dial is pretty striking and has three sporty chronograph sub counters. Another interesting characteristic is the top mounted oversized pushers and lugs. Generally I found Chrono Driver sat comfortably on my wrist and I didn’t experience any friction from the lugs. It also felt very lightweight and could definitely be worn for most occasions. Primarily this is down to the ergonomic design and choice of high performance natural titanium used in production. It is also pertinent to mention Meccaniche Veloci have another exciting model constructed from carbon fiber. Overall I was impressed with the attention to detail although I do personally prefer the aesthetic of the Quattro Valvole series of watches.
At the heart of the watch is a self-winding caliber ETA 7750 (Valjoux) sourced from the Swatch Group. This movement comprises 25-Jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). The mechanism is perfectly showcased through the sapphire crystal exhibition case back. Functionally the Chrono Driver features hours, minutes, seconds and chronograph timers. The watch also has a power reserve of 40 hours and is water resistant to a depth of 50 metres.
The Chrono Driver has a high quality leather strap with carbon fiber pattern and a matching natural titanium buckle. Priced at: $5,100 AUD (approximately $4,726).
For more information about Meccaniche Veloci visit their website: http://www.meccanicheveloci.com
