Rev Your Engines With The Série-R 80s From Depancel

In the 1980s, a carefree decade characterized by freedom, bright colors and brand-new shapes, it still took a special kind of chutzpah to establish the lines, color, geometry and complete absence of curves that came to define the cars of that era. Depancel pays tribute to them with the new Série-R 80s, an animation of its iconic case as fun as this era.

The world of cars has long been identified as one of the major sources of these stylistic feats that stand the test of time with impertinent ease, and the Ferrari Testarossa is the epitome of this phenomenon – albeit one that’s particularly divisive and distinctive. Its straight, clear-cut lines and legendary side gills made their mark on the 1980s, a time when speed, insouciance, style and power were all of a piece. The whole car was just as much a beast as its engine. Paradoxically, its radical nature met with universal acclaim. A similar textbook case is Lamborghini’s achievement with its Countach (of which the firm is also producing a new limited-edition version that’s already sold out even before a single one has been made). 

There’s no shortage of hallmarks on the dial, either. The dominant color – a very sporty orange – is identical to that used throughout the Testarossa’s dashboard. The font is inspired by those popular in the 1980s: an ‘LED numeral’ style resembling that used on the first electronic Casio watches. The applique hour markers are in the finest watchmaking tradition – but with a square design, an unusual choice that contributes to the overall coherence of a watch in which sharp angles are everywhere.

A dashboard on the wrist

The use of orange places the emphasis on readability. The color floods the entire dial, even spilling over onto the crown insert and the topstitching on the leather strap. The dial – a positive invitation to race – is framed by a brushed anthracite surface indented with the same aerodynamic, horizontal lines following on from the lines on the strap, with the result that wearers have the impression of being behind the wheel of their Testarossa, looking at their watch (dashboard) as they turn the key (crown) to bring the engine to life.

The caseback is of course transparent: just like the engine covers on some Ferraris. The glass reveals all the muscle of a very well-known movement in watchmaking, the automatic winding Miyota 9110. This is new to the Série-R, making this piece the first reference to use this version. For the 80s Série-R, the movement’s oscillating weight has been decorated with the brand’s signature. Pre-orders open today for the Série-R today. Head over to the Depancel shop to get yours for about $850 today.