As part of this year’s partnership between Baume & Mercier and Indian Motorcycle Company, the two have designed a collection of watches that honour motorbike racing legend Burt Monroe.
New Zealander Mr Munroe rode Indian motorcycles in the earliest years of the manufacturer’s life and is famous for setting a land speed record of 184mph for a bike powered by an engine smaller than 1000cc at Bonneville in 1967.
Herbert James “Burt” Munro (Bert in his youth; 25 March 1899 – 6 January 1978) was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1,000 cc world record, at Bonneville, 26 August 1967. He was the subject of a 2005 film, The World’s Fastest Indian, based on his Bonneville speed runs.
The Tribute watch is a 44mm stainless steel model housing the automatic Valijoux 7750 movement and pays homage to Indian Motorcycle Company’s motoring history using an “Indian red”, similar to that of Munro’s vehicle the Munro Special, for its hands and leather strap.
These red dials are contrasted against a sandblasted silver dial face with a yellow second hand that sports the number 35 on it, a nod to Munro’s lucky number.
Continuing the celebration of Munro, the polished bezel is fitted with a tachymeter, of which it has highlighted “184”, a reference to the speed record in mph Munro hit. The face is also showing off black rhodium plated riveted indexes. Finally, on the back, the Indian Headdress logo of the Indian Motorcycle Company is engraved, as well as the number of the limited edition.
The watch which is limited to just 1967 pieces, the same year of Munro’s record. It is being unveiled at the motorcycle show EICMA in Milan Italy between the 7th and 11th of November. The retail price is $3,750.
