N.O.A. GRT 001 Le Mans
New from N.O.A. is the N.O.A. GRT 001 Le Mans, powered by an ETA Quartz movement - but don't let that put you off - with a big "Go-Fast" stripe running from dial to strap, this one has motorsport written all over it.... horology/motorsport? - we're on it.
N.O.A. watches are hard to ignore. Swiss made but with Italian DNA, a few features tell them apart - broad satellite dish dials, a signature inner ring and stand-out markers, all of which combine to produce a quite striking 3D effect. This piece has them all. Those sculpted white hour markers and out-size "12" and "6" numerals look like they could jump off the dial at any moment and the black/red/white combination is, as always, superbly racey.
At 9 o'clock is the minute counter with a small seconds at 8 and a sneaky little date window tucked in at 4 o'clock. The hour counter at 2 has a big "23" to mark the date of the first race at the Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe where the world-famous 24 hour race is held each year. The case, is at 44mm very restrained considering the fact that N.O.A. are unafraid to build up to 48mm and is constructed from PVD coated titanium, water resistant to 100m.
The N.O.A. GRT 001 Le Mans will be the first of five limited editions commemorating famous race tracks from around the globe, and will be a limited edition of 200 pieces.
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Le Mans 24 Hour Race - Did you know?
The first race in 1923 was won by Andre Lagache and Rene Leonard driving a 3 litre Chenard & Walcker.
The event has been held every year since 1923, except for 1936 and between 1940 - 1948 (due to the Second World War).
Rolex have been the Official Timekeeper at the event since 2001, but at we at The Watch Press have only eyes for the superb Rebellion Racing Team.
The traditional start involving a "Run-Like-Fun" across the track by the drivers has not been used since 1969.
In 1967 Dan Gurney became the first winning driver to spray champagne on the podium at ..... you guessed it - Le Mans.