Hands-On: Autodromo Group B Series 2

Autodromo’s ’80s-inspired Group B has long been my favorite of the brand’s watches. Late last year, Autodromo announced the Series 2, which ushered the triumphant return of the Group B, but with two major modifications—the lugs are no longer fixed, and now the watch comes with a killer steel bracelet. Before I get started, I’d like to point out that, outside of the new lug design and bracelet, the Series 2 is largely the same watch as the original Group B. Rather than rehash a review of the Group B (be sure to check out our Group B review from several years back if you’d like a rundown on the watch), I’ll instead focus this review on the bracelet.

The impact of the bracelet cannot be overstated. It really does change the way the watch looks on the wrist, and, in my opinion, it actually gives the Group B more of a retro vibe than its predecessor. If Genta and Giugiaro produced a horological lovechild, then this would be it.

Let’s start with how the watch wears. The fit is largely the same as the original Group B. Don’t let the 51-millimeter lug-to-lug fool you or scare you away. Thanks to the downturned lugs, this watch doesn’t wear like it’s 51-millimeters long—at all. The case sits close to the wrist, and the bracelet, integrating almost seamlessly with the lugs, wraps around the wrist comfortably and in a way that downplays the dimensions.

I was initially a bit worried about the slatted design because I have relatively hairy wrists, and I’ve had issues with similar bracelets in the past. I love the look, but slatted bracelets just tend to pull on my wrist hair, and I imagine that’s why they’re relatively uncommon today. It’s surprisingly not a problem here.

Of course, the bracelet is only half the story. Without fixed bars, you can go to town swapping straps on the Group B—but with one caveat. You can’t use some overly thick straps because you may not have enough room to clear the case, so thinner straps are the way to go here. I’ve also found that using curved springs bars can help with a tighter fit.

Altogether, this is an excellent update to the Group B, and as an owner of the original I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to trade in for the 2018 model. The Series 2 is just so versatile, though in my time with the watch I opted to keep it on the bracelet. It’s the star of the show, and ditching it somehow felt wrong. Autodromo