The Autodromo Group B is one of the more daring designs a watch brand has come out in recent memory. Inspired by the brutal but innovative 80’s rally cars it shares its name with, the Group B mixed hard lines, sharp finishing, titanium and steel parts with neon accented dials, and a slotted lug that only worked with single-piece straps. They stood out from the crowd and gained a cult following making them a wildly successful series. At the end of 2018, Autodromo brought the Group B back, evolving the design to include a slatted steel bracelet that continues the watch’s dramatic lines around the wrist, and a more classic lug that allows for two-piece straps as well.
Today, we’re excited to announce the introduction of the Group B Series 2 Windup Edition
The Group B Series 2 Windup Edition is a boutique exclusive with a unique monochromatic colorway that has yet to be used on a Group B. In contrast to the bright, brushed steel of the normal models, the Windup Edition features a dark titanium gray PVD coating over steel on the bracelet, mid-case, and crown, with the bezel and case back remaining solid titanium. The entire watch is bead-blasted to a matte finish, giving it a flat, uniform appearance that emphasizes its faceted, planar design.
In a change of pace that adds even more 80’s character to the design, the dial is rendered in a matte titanium gray, matching the case and bracelet, giving it a distinctive color-block style. The hands, indexes and dial print are in bright, electric blue, adding a cool shock of color that complements the matte great perfectly. The overall look is striking, and truly unlike any watch we’ve seen before.
As with other Group B Series 2 watches, the Windup Edition measures 39.5 x 50 x 9.9 millimeters with 20mm lugs. The new bracelet perfectly fits into the lugs, surrounding their ends creating an “integrated” look. The bracelet thus measures 23mm at the lug, tapering down to 18mm at the seamless butterfly clasp. Much like the vehicles that inspired the Group B, the watch is deceptively light at 52 grams, yet powerful, packing the venerable Miyota 9105 inside.
For the Group B Series 2 Windup Edition, in addition to the bracelet, we’ve included a custom version of the American-made Admiralty Gray ADPT strap with each watch. To mark that the strap came with the Group B, the label has is bright yellow and features both Autodromo and ADPT branding. This is a great alternative to the bracelet on hot days or when you want a more rugged look. The dark, blue/gray of the Admiralty ADPT plays off of the matte titanium PVD, keeping its subtle, dark palette intact.
The Group B Series 2 Windup Edition is limited to 145 units and is available now for $975.
