The fellows behind Australian micro brand Moto Koure
have a thing for old Jaguars. It is a weakness The Time Bum shares. I
have always longed for a vintage Jag, be it an elegant XJ6, the jaunty
XK120, or the iconic XKE - the car Road & Track's Henry N. Manny III
called "The greatest crumpet collector known to man." They are all
delightful, but the best all-around Jaguars may well be the classic MK
series. When launched in 1955, the MK1 set the standard for the modern
sports sedan with achievements on the street and at the track, topped
only by the magnificent MK2 that purred through the swinging 60's,
epitomizing Jaguar's values of "grace, space, and pace." Moto Koure drew
upon this rich history for their debut watches, and from the early
renderings, I think they nailed it.
The MK I is a cushion case chronograph reminiscent of the Heuer
Silverstone. The rectangular stainless steel case is 40mm wide, 44mm
long, and 13mm thick with rounded corners. A lugless design keeps it
compact. It wears an attractive combination of finishes. The stepped
bezel is polished and the case sides feature vertical brushing and
elongated pushers running its length on either side of the
chevon-textured crown. Water resistance is 50m. A drilled leather rally
strap completes the picture.
While the case harkens back to a motoring watch, it is the dial that
carries the most notable automotive cues. Under the flat sapphire
crystal and anti-reflective coating lie rich colors and sunray finishes.
The 9 and 3 o'clock sub dials, and 6 o'clock date window are set into
an oblong cutaway that mimics a dashboard, and like a luxury car, it
features a tasteful accent in the form of pebble grain, diamond plate,
or wood grain texture. A dash plate on top bears the Moto Koure brand
and logo. "Old Radium" color SuperLuminova on the baton hands and
markers is the finishing touch. It's a gorgeous design offering a taste
of automobilia without becoming a caricature.
A friend with an XJ12 once told me, "Part of the mystique of owning a
Jag is knowing you can afford to fix it." I suspect this is one Jaguar
trait the MK I will not emulate. Moto Koure offers two engine options: a
Seiko VK MechaQuartz and a NE88 column-wheel automatic. Both are
reliable units and buyers can choose the one that best fits their taste
and budget.
Full retail will be $635 AUD ($444 USD) for the MechaQuartz and $1,400
AUD ($976 USD) for the automatic; however, early buyers can get in for
as low as $375 AUD ($261 USD) and $1110 AUD ($774 USD). Those prices
will rise as more units are sold.
Granted, I have not laid hands on a MK I yet, but this watch has all the
right elements to lure me in. Look for a full, hands-on review soon.
For more information check out motokoure.com.
没有评论:
发表评论