Vertex is celebrating 50 years of the Caterham 7 with a limited edition watch

Don Cochrane hit upon an unusual marketing strategy when he decided to relaunch historic British watchmaker Vertex a century after it was founded in 1916 by his great-grandfather, Claude Lyons.

Cochrane initially invited 60 specific people to become owners, giving them a purchase code that enabled them to purchase the launch model of the M100 hand wound through the company’s website. Each buyer then had the right to invite five other people, who could each invite one more person – where only owners of original Vertex watches or the military could apply.

It was unusual, but it worked, establishing the foundation from which Cochrane has since been able to build the modern Vertex into a well-regarded name to translate the range of military watches it produced between the 1940s and 1970s, after which the original business closed.

The line now includes automatic versions of the M100 in standard or black metal; the MP45 single-button chronograph with a choice of hand-wound or automatic movements and the high-end AquaLion dive watch.

Before entering the watch game, Cochrane was very involved in the world of cars, working separately for Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin – for which he has created an impressive list of contacts in the world of the car that last year resulted. Vertex to sponsor the Caterham Roadsport Championship.

Caterham Cars was originally the main supplier of the Lotus 7 before company founder Graham Nearn acquired the rights to the design from Lotus boss Colin Chapman in 1973, after Chapman decided to stop building the now celebrated seat-of-the-pants sports car.

The following year Caterham created its first 7s, the inset, and now, to help mark these milestones, Vertex has released this limited edition watch based on the MP45.

The MP45 C50 differs from the standard version by having a tachymeter scale printed around the edge of the dial for speed and distance calculations as well as a distinctive ‘Caterham 50’ logo at the six o’clock position.

The main hands, central seconds indicators and small indicators, are finished in Caterham’s signature green and sapphire crystal back each of the 50 watches available bears its own unique edition number.

As well as being presented in a handy, custom-made waterproof Pelican case, the watch is offered on three straps – one in vintage leather, one in rubber and the third in fabric.

With around 25,000 Caterham 7s sold since production began it seems unlikely that the 50 available Vertex MP45 C50s will last long, and any that appear later on the pre-owned market may be due for a premium.

So if you’re a Caterham fan, check out the Vertex website asap. Or take a hair-raising ride to the brand’s recently opened and recommended boutique in Shepherd Market in London’s Mayfair.

Vertex MP45 C50, £3450.
vertex-watches.com

IWC is best known for its space-inspired watches, but it is also a partner of Mercedes F1 and AMG. The company chose November’s Las Vegas GP to launch a series of timepieces in collaboration, with this edition being AMG. It features a case made of lightweight titanium – a material that IWC introduced to watchmaking in 1980 – and is powered by the 242-part 69385 chronograph movement. It can be on a matching titanium bracelet or a black rubber strap.

IWC Pilot’s Chronograph 41 AMG Watch Performance, from £8650.
iwc.com

L’Epee is a Swiss manufacturer of technical marvels that bring true art to the science of horology and, at the end of 2023, the Time Fast II in chrome won the mechanical watch prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. It takes the form of a 1950s racing car with a driver’s seat with a mechanical wound to the ignition key that also makes different movements to activate the V8 engine animation. An ingenious ‘gearbox’ makes it possible to choose which of the two movements the key connects.

L’Epee 1839 Time Fast II, £30,730.
lepee1839.ch

Precision is written by renowned luxury goods expert Simon de Burton