REC Watches is Back with Watches Inspired by Porsche Tuner Akira Nakai

Denmark’s REC Watches is back with their latest limited edition sports watch, and once again it features parts that are salvaged from important vehicles. The 901 RWB Limited Edition is actually a series of two watches made in collaboration with Akira Nakai, a Japanese car tuner and founder of RAUH-Welt BEGRIFF (RWB), a company that has become world renowned for tuning Porsches. Nakai’s specialty is creating custom wide-body kits and extreme fenders for classic Porsche 911’s, and these watches are inspired by the almost avant-garde approach that RWB takes to tuning.

REC x RWB Stella & Rotana

• Case Material: Stainless steel (black PVD coated)
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 46 x 14mm
• Crystal: Sapphire        
• Water Resistance: 50 meters  
• Crown: Push/pull                       
• Movement: Miyota 9100 
• Strap/bracelet: Rubber
• Price: $1,795
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: Available now

There are, as we know, a bunch of different ways to make a watch that is automotive inspired. Some brands incorporate a complication (like a chronograph) that’s useful in motorsports, while others take a purely aesthetic approach and model their watches off the distinctive gauges and dials of classic cars. Some brands look for a more abstract or subtle way to link their watch to automotive culture, while others proudly put an image of a car right on the dial. There’s no right way or wrong way to tie a watch to motorsports, and it speaks to the natural connection watches and cars share that there are so many ways to do it. What REC does, though, is a little different, in that they use actual reclaimed parts of a car in the watch itself, in a design that pays tribute to the unique attributes of the car in question. 

For the REC x RWB collaboration, the dials have been cut directly from Akira Nakai’s personal vehicles. The source cars in this case are his Stella Artois, a 1985 Porsche 930 which was RWB’s first full conversion, and the Rotana, a bright purple 911 Turbo meant for the track. While the dial is quite literally taken directly from each car, the rest of the watch maintains a sporty, automotive vibe even if the materials used are more traditional. This is particularly true when looking at the case of each watch, as they’ve been fitted with “body kits” modeled after those used by RWB. It’s distinctive and stylish whether you initially understand the connection to RWB or not, but once you do get a grasp on why the purple and gold accents have been built into each case, the watches make a lot more sense. 

Unsurprisingly, a case with a wide-body kit is not exactly going to be diminutive. The REC x RWB watches measure 46mm in diameter, which is large by any measure. But if a watch of this size ever makes sense, it has to be in a watch that is directly inspired by custom tuned Porsches, which are often the opposite of the refined and clean aesthetic that Porsche has cultivated for itself over the course of decades. 

What is a little surprising, perhaps, is how cohesive the design of the Stella (featuring gold tone accents) and Rotana (with a purple body kit and accents) actually are. Yes, things like pedals and gauges are mimicked on the dial and case, but even though these are brash and colorful sports watches, the car inspired design elements don’t overpower how these work as actual timepieces. The dial layout, in particular, is nicely executed, and features readable day, month, and date windows at 9:00, 3:00, and 6:00.

The REC x RWB watches are available now from REC. Each piece is limited to 305 examples, and carries a retail price of $1,795. REC