REC RNR Limited Edition Watch Collection Review
Tuesday - 22 December 2020
One luxury watch brand we can always rely on to deliver innovative and unique watches is REC, and today we will be reviewing two of their latest releases: the RNR RockFighter and RNR BeachRunner. The limited edition duo is not only the first of their kind by REC to house Swiss made movements but they have been exclusively crafted from recycled parts of classic Land Rover cars.
Boasting one of the most unique concepts in the luxury watch world, REC watches are renowned for taking salvaged parts from the automotive and aeronautic industries and recycling them into breathtaking timepieces. Their name, which takes after their simple philosophy to recover, recycle and reclaim, has become synonymous with the contemporary attitude to reduce waste and instead reuse components of iconic cars and aeroplanes to create exciting special edition and limited edition watches. In the past, they have used high-grade components sourced from the likes of Spitfire planes, Porsche 901 engines and Ford Mustangs and today, we see the new REC RockFighter and RNR BeachRunner brought to life using parts of two legendary Land Rovers.
"With the RNR collection it was all about straight, square lines softened by the round elements found on the Land Rover - the shape of the wheel being one. We wanted to create a timepiece that spoke directly to the hearts of watch and Land Rover fans all over the world." - Designer of REC Watches, Thomas Funder
The classic off-road capable Land Rover has become an icon of British culture and their earlier Series I, II and III, now known as the Defender, have become staple vehicles for English country life and farming. The new REC RNR RockFighter and BeachRunner watches take inspiration and parts from two classic vehicles in the collection, the Land Rover Series III and a 2003 Defender. Just like the cars which have become legendary for their off-road competence, durability and robustness are wonderfully reflected in each of the limited edition designs which similarly promise a design that can hold its own.
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REC RNR R.O.C.K.Fighter Limited Edition
The inspiration behind the REC RNR RockFighter Limited Edition comes from a 2003 Land Rover Defender owned by German gentleman, and owner of a 4x4 Experience, Michael Ortner. The car, which has travelled all over the globe, has climbed up some of the world’s steepest mountains and across the deepest creeks becoming a trusty companion to many of Michael’s adventures. In 2019, the Defender required a new door, but instead of disposing of it he kindly donated it to REC who have incorporated elements of the aluminium into the watch dials of the REC RNR RockFighter watch.
Limited to 463 pieces, the REC RNR RockFighter watch pays homage to the many voyages the 2003 vehicle has encountered by using the very door and all its marks and dents on every dial. The face is coated with a clear lacquer for a polished finish and detailed with masculine-shaped hour, minute and seconds hands treated with luminous coating and a date window at 3 o’clock reminiscent of an old-school odometer. Some of the more obvious Land Rover-inspired details can be found through the square-shaped stainless steel case and the tyre-shaped black bezel.
Sapphire crystal glass treated with an anti-reflective coating protects the dial and assists in the 50 metre water resistant rating. Housed beneath is the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, the first Swiss made calibre to make its debut within the REC collections. It provides a handy 38 hour power reserve, 26 jewels and promises a frequency of 28,800vph. To complete the off-road aesthetic, the REC RNR RockFighter Limited Edition features a leather-lined canvas strap inspired by the very same material used to secure the hood in place on the Land Rover.
REC RNR BeachRunner Limited Edition
Similarly, the REC RNR BeachRunner Limited Edition reflects the function and aesthetic of an old Land Rover but this time a Series III model. Owned by Portuguese photographer and filmmaker, Daniel Espirito Santo, the 1981 Land Rover Series III which inspires this timepiece has spent much of its life exploring the beaches of Peniche, Portugal where Daniel searched for his perfect shot of a wave. The laid-back lifestyle of owning a classic Land Rover is wonderfully portrayed within the RNR BeachRunner which uniquely incorporates elements of the car’s old roof in its design.
Because the 1981 vehicle had spent much of its time on the beach, salty winds and sea water had slowly but surely eaten away at parts of the roof, but rather than throwing the metallic blanket away, REC have fused it into the dial of each REC RNR BeachRunner Limited Edition. Just like the car, the dial brings to life the familiar green and beige tones of the custom Defender and a square-shaped case inspired by the car’s headlights. Like the RockFighter, this limited edition of 552 pieces features a tyre-styled bezel and two crown guards designed to resemble the car’s grill.
The case of the REC RNR BeachRunner Limited Edition measures to 40mm in diameter and is fitted with scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment and a closed case back promising a water resistant rating of 50 metres. Once again, the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement drives the piece but this time provides classic central hands for hours and minutes, a small seconds dial at 9 o’clock, date complication at 3 o’clock and a power reserve of 38 hours. To complete the look, the BeachRunner can be ordered on a black or green rubber strap.
You can shop the entire REC RNR watch collection on the Jura Watches website including the limited edition RNR RockFighter and RNR BeachRunner watches here. For more information on these exclusive models, get in touch with the team on 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
