A chance conversation with a colleague culminated in a meeting with Frenchman Philippe Barro, Managing Director of Regnier an exclusive watch making company established for over 80 years in Charquemont, a historic watch making village nestled just a few kilometres from the Swiss border in the Franche Compte region of France. The meeting was a great success, and with a handshake the ‘Winners’ watch would soon become a reality.

“This project is a dream for us, to be given the opportunity to produce a timepiece that reflects a heroic lifestyle. The speed, power, and excitement of motorsports and of course the determination of the pilots (drivers and riders) cannot be underestimated.” explains Barro “Initially we focused on the essence of Pole Position, what are the ‘secret’ ingredients of its success and then we try to capture this essence as directly as possible. After, we look to the technical side, materials, movements even the packaging and presentation, it is very important that there is unity to the whole concept.”

Two designers spent several weeks developing the initial ideas for the project, these concepts were scrutinised and modified until there were just two remaining. Designs 101 and 105 were taken from the drawing board and reference CAD’s were produced.

“By this stage we were very excited, all of us within the company felt that these models were the perfect expression for Pole Position, the next steps were to define the materials and develop the technical drawings with which to produce the first prototypes.” Barro continues “This is a very demanding process, because many unique features had to be created to satisfy the original concept, for example the (strap) attachments of the case must be accessible to both a leather or metal band, these materials both have distinct qualities that must be considered.”

With assembly and testing tentatively scheduled in Switzerland for the middle of 2007, the Regnier team continued with the development process. A Swiss made quartz chronograph was selected as the heart of the ‘Winners’ watch. The 5030.D calibre chronograph contains 13 jewels and features a calendar and both accumulated and intermediate timing functionality. The first of the 3 sub-dial counter positions displays the seconds, as the traditional long second hand is dedicated to the tachymeter and chronograph sweep function. The second is a 1 to12 hour elapsed time counter and finally at the ten o’clock position the 1 to 30 minute elapsed time counter completes the trio.

“The movement 5030.D is the perfect choice for this project, it has the reliability, accuracy and the function we desired, but also from the aesthetic, the position of the sub-dials was complimentary to the original concept.” Says Barro “In fact there was very little modification to the sub dial surround platform, or the style and position of the numerals and indices we had created, it is this fact that has allowed us to achieve the perfect balance to the dial.”

The arrival of the prototype case, strap attachments, pushers, crown and crown guard lead to an intense period of activity within Regnier. The parts were assembled and assessed for tolerance, function and finish and the resulting structural modifications were relayed back to the factory floor. The exacting specification of the Pole Position ‘Winners” watch requires that high grade Solid Stainless Steel is used in its construction, this resilient material provides excellent resistance to pressure, scratch and impact damage allowing for a minimum standard water resistance rating of 10 Atm (330ft).

The assessment process was carried out on every class of component, the dial, metal bracelet, leather strap, butterfly clasp and buckle were all rigorously evaluated prompting another series of adjustments and modifications. Attention then shifted to the packaging and presentation materials. During the initial consultation with Pole Position the overall dimensions and internal layout were agreed though the final finish, internal covering and construction materials were yet to be finalised.

A specialist box manufacturer based in Germany was enlisted to produce prototypes for consideration, after a series of briefings several construction methods, materials and specialist finishes were selected for further development, as Philippe Barro explains. “Our German partners had developed a special process that enabled us to create a unique carbon fibre effect design for the finish. This unique material is then applied to the outer surface of the presentation case.” He continues “A prototype was then crafted from wood in the traditional fashion before the application of the special finish, interior upholstery, fixings and nameplate.

As soon as we saw the completed prototype we knew that it was the perfect compliment to the timepiece, there was harmony in the presentation, and we felt we had indeed captured the true essence of Pole Position.”

The Pole Position “Winners” watch prototype was first presented to the public in April at the Basel Watch Fair to high acclaim.