Nicolet Launches the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing “SpeedFreak”
Paul Newman, Carl Haas and Michael Lanigan are co-owners of NHLR a team that since its debut in 1983 with the legendary Mario Andretti as driver, has won 107 pole positions, 106 races and eight championships. The team fields two entries in the IndyCar Series with driver seats currently occupied by Graham Rahal, son of Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal and two-time Champ Car runner up to the champion Justin Wilson. Nicolet selected NHLR as partner for the “SpeedFreak" because of their longstanding commitment to racing excellence.
Nicolet’s vice president Steven Jay explains, “there is an inextricable link between race cars and timepieces, both creations must be ever so precise and exacting in order to adequately fulfill the need for which they are intended. Whether it’s the rate at which spark plugs fire and pistons pump, the accuracy of a drivers mind, hands and feet coordinating to navigate his vehicle, or the efficiency with which the pit crew readies and replenishes the race car, as with watches, in automobile racing- timing is everything. It is with this unification of shared artistic synchronicity of time that we have created the “SpeedFreak."
The mechanics of the “SpeedFreak" are founded on a “dead on" accurate Swiss Quartz movement with chronograph and date functions. One glance of the “SpeedFreak’’ with its vibrant guilloched dial, steel accented second, 1/10th second and minute sub dials, with color coordinated hands, will tell you that this watch is all about racing. The impressive 46mm case and intricate 24mm bracelet are constructed of the finest 316L stainless steel. The alluring brushed stainless steel bezel with accented hex screws resembles a racecar’s wheel and lug nuts. Within the bezel, lies a genuine sapphire crystal. Angled chronograph pushers with a contrasting textured and high polished crown complete the look of this time tracking marvel. The watch is available in 5 dial colors and water resistance is calibrated at 10 atm. The “SpeedFreak" is limited to just 500 pieces per color.
As with Indy Car’s series of races, the “SpeedFreak" will evolve into a series of styles, the first of which made its worldwide debut exclusively on JTV this past July, to resounding success.