Watch Magazine Watches Magazine. Since 2010
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Brands
  • Fitness Watches
  • Ambassadors
  • SIHH 2017
  • Baselworld 2017
  • Movements
  • Dictionary
  Add to Bookmarks
Home » Magazine » Hybrid Movements and a Racing Theme – Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph & Autodromo Prototipo Vic Elford Limited Edition

RECOMMENDED EBAY STORES

  •  
    300 Watches
     
  •  
    Authentic Watches
     
  •  
    Timezone123 Wholesale Watches
     
  •  
    The Watchery on eBay
     

BRANDS

Hybrid Movements and a Racing Theme – Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph & Autodromo Prototipo Vic Elford Limited Edition

Tweet
Written by Boris Ivkovic on November 27, 2013 in Magazine, News & Events - No comments

Autodromo has released new racing-themed timekeepers which utilize Japanese hybrid calibers that are driven by quartz, but also use mechanical parts for their chronograph functions. Apart from the basic version of the timepiece with two chronograph sub-counters, there is likewise a limited edition dedicated to the legendary race car driver Vic Elford. These retro-styled timekeepers are strapped on leather wristlets and come at the price tag of $625 for the basic version and $775 for the limited edition version with three chrono sub-counters.

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch

As it name clearly states, the Italian brand Officine Autodromo is the brand which produces watches inspired by and intended for the race car aficionados. These latest pieces in particular are modeled after the style of watches from the 1960s and 1970s. Moreover, Autodromo based its newcomers on the watch design from the era, as well as instruments of prototype vehicles used in endurance races, such as the Le Mans, Targa Florio or Nurburgring.

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch

Regardless whether we are talking about the basic Prototipo model or the limited edition version, we can see that they have matching housings. The round case features the diameter of 44 mm and includes nice beveled integrated lugs which make the housing quite large, which can be illustrated with the fact that it is 48 mm long. Still, it is not too thick and possesses the height of 11.5 mm. It is made of stainless steel and includes a solid steel case-back. The case includes a silver-colored crown and black pushers that contrast the rest of the housing. Completed with a sapphire crystal that guards the watch from the front side, it has water resistance to 50 meters.

Seiko Hybrid Quartz Movement with Mechanical Parts

As it has been mentioned, Prototipo watches are made with Japanese-made hybrid movements. These Seiko produced calibers rely on a quartz module which also integrates mechanical parts that allow instant reset feature for the sweeping second hand of its chronograph complication which has the precision within 1/5th of a second. There is a slight difference between the calibers used for Prototipo timekeepers. While the basic version has Seiko VK64 Hybrid Meca-Quartz caliber that allows two chrono sub-counters placed next to each other, the limited version utilizes VK63 that allows three chrono counters and lacks the date indication at the bottom which is featured in the basic model. Apart from these traits, there are really no other major differences between the calibers.

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch Profile

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch Profile

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph

Autodromo Prototipo timepiece (or the basic version) is available with dials in two different shades which come with chrono indications in contrasting colors and a date display at the very bottom. The black version includes white chronograph indications, whereas the second version has it the other way round (though counters are in fact silver and not white). Other notable features include a black flange with scales for tachymeter and pulsometer and peculiarly-styled chrono hands with rectangle basis. While the black one has hands in red color, the white one implements lovely light-blue ones.

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph White Dial Watch Detail

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph White Dial Watch Detail

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elford Limited Edition

On the other hand, the 224-piece limited series dedicated to Vic Elford is a bit more colorful in order to resemble the Porsche 907 he drove when he set the record at the Targa Florio race in 1968. That is why the lower quarter of the white dial is in yellow color. Otherwise, the chrono hands are yellow, apart from the lower one which in red, just like the sweeping seconds hand. Minute and number hands are white, as well as luminous. The number of pieces in the series also stems from the legendary race, since 224 was Elford’s number during the event. Elford’s driving at the Sicilian racing competition remains remembered because he was able to overcome an 18 minute deficit and turn it into a 2 minute advantage. During the course of the race, the English driver kept setting and beating the lap records. To commemorate the feat, Autodromo opted to decorate the case-back of the limited edition with the map that depicts Targa Folio circuit. All racing aficionados will also be pleased to know that the individually- numbered limited edition watch comes with a personally signed booklet that covers Elford’s career.

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch Case Back

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch Case Back

Both regular and restricted edition Prototipo watches are with a black genuine Italian leather strap with perforations. There is however a slight difference, since the regular version has smaller, but more numerous openings, while the Vic Elford Limited Edition has fewer and significantly larger perforations. In both cases, the width of the strap is exactly 20 mm.

Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph White Dial Watch
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch On Hand
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch On Hand
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph White Dial Watch Detail
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch Detail
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch Profile
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Black Dial Watch Back
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch Back
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph Vic Elfor Limited Edition Watch Case Back
Tweet
Written by Boris Ivkovic on November 27, 2013 in Magazine, News & Events - No comments
>

Leave a Comment

Click here to cancel reply.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

PROMOTE US ON

Pin It
Recommend on Google
Follow @watchalyzer

SUBSCRIBE TO WATCHALYZER

LATEST COMMENTS

  • Sector Expander Outdoor Series Watch
    comment_date_gmt); ?>
    January, 1970
    "Does anybody knows how can I make the screensaver not to app..." Read more
  • Seiko Premier Kinetic Day Date Watch SRN037
    comment_date_gmt); ?>
    January, 1970
    "I never have seiko premier kinetic direct drive watch, It is..." Read more
  • Seiko Ananta Automatic Chronograph Watch
    comment_date_gmt); ?>
    January, 1970
    "I have tissot automatic seastar-swiss made , and the tag heu..." Read more
  • Seiko Ananta Automatic Chronograph Watch
    comment_date_gmt); ?>
    January, 1970
    "what japan made, japan it is for a long period of time, seik..." Read more

LEARN ABOUT WATCHES

Watchalyzer

  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Brands
  • About us
  • Contact
Watch Magazine

© This article is Copyright (c) 2013 Watchalyzer. All Rights Reserved.
Do not copy anything without prior written permission.
Please read Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
Top Watch Sites