Own a piece of Senna’s iconic 1986 Lotus F1 car on your wrist now

Rec Watches’ Lotus 98T John Player Special-inspired timepiece crafted from reforged 1986 aluminum.

One of the most recognizable race car liveries is the black and gold design of the John Player Special Formula 1 cars that Lotus used. Rec Watches has unveiled a new limited-edition watch that pays homage to this iconic look but with a unique twist. This timepiece is crafted using parts from a JPS F1 car, specifically sourced from the Lotus 98T chassis number 4, which was piloted by Aryton Senna during the 1986 season.

The timepiece is known as the 98T/4 and is a result of a partnership with Classic Team Lotus. Photos reveal that it features the well-known combination of black and gold colors. While the watch is mainly crafted from stainless steel, the Chapter Ring – the circular section encircling the dial – is constructed from reprocessed aluminum sourced from the original plenum tubes of the car. Its top glass is crafted from sapphire crystal, the band is leather, and it can withstand water up to 100 meters. It’s highly unlikely that a watch of this caliber will ever come into contact with water unless a significant mishap occurs while driving.

Connoisseurs will recall that 1986 marked the end of the iconic black and gold JPS design, with Rec Watches confirming that the metal for their timepiece was sourced from the very last JPS car used in the final eight races of that year. This vehicle was driven by widely considered one of the greatest F1 drivers ever.

Rec Watches is limiting production to 989 units, with each one priced at $3,995. Customers who take advantage of the pre-order offer can purchase it for a reduced price of $3,195, however, there is a small catch. The watches are not scheduled for delivery until March 2025, meaning pre-order customers will need to wait almost a year to receive their unique F1-inspired timepiece.

Buyers appear to be quite eager to wait, as most of the 989 watches have already been reserved, as per Rec. By April 26, there are only 173 pre-orders left. Make sure to prepare your credit card promptly.

Source: Rec Watches