In the pantheon of endurance racing, few machines command the reverence of Gordon Murray’s McLaren F1. Even fewer possess the motorsport pedigree of McLaren F1 GTR chassis 02R—the most victorious F1 GTR to ever turn a wheel in anger.
Driven to glory by Ray Bellm in iconic liveries ranging from deep-blue Gulf hues to the sleek Ueno Clinic livery, chassis 02R established an unbeatable record on track.
Now, Danish independent brand REC Watches, in a landmark collaboration with Ray Bellm and British automotive engineering firm Lanzante Limited, has encapsulated that historic pedigree into a high-grade mechanical timepiece: the REC GTR 02R No. 1 Watch.
Priced at £2255, this limited-edition release is far more than an exercise in automotive-themed aesthetics. It is a certified Swiss-Made flyback chronograph incorporating literal, physical DNA from the championship-winning car itself.
Physical Motorsport DNA & Forged Carbon Geometry
The architectural foundation of the REC GTR 02R No. 1 begins with a striking 4-piece tonneau case. Measuring 40.00mm in diameter, 47.00mm lug-to-lug, and 14.20mm in height, the silhouette strikes a balance between modern wrist presence and ergonomic comfort.
The outer case is sculpted from lightweight forged carbon, echoing the high-tensile composite materials pioneered by McLaren in the 1990s. Nested inside is a 316L stainless steel inner case that houses the crown, pushers, and integrated clasp.
* Case Dimensions: 40.00mm Diameter / 47.00mm Lug-to-Lug / 14.20mm Thickness
* Materials: Forged Carbon Outer Case & 316L Stainless Steel Inner Case
* 6 O'Clock DNA Element: Authentic Repurposed Disc Bell from McLaren F1 GTR Chassis 02R
* Crystal: High-Domed Sapphire with 3x Anti-Reflective Coating
* Strap: Integrated Black FKM Rubber
The centerpiece of the dial display sits at 6 o’clock: an authentic “DNA ring” machined directly from an original brake disc bell extracted from McLaren F1 GTR chassis 02R.
Topped with a triple-AR-coated sapphire crystal and paired with a supple black FKM rubber strap, the assembly feels like a piece of high-performance race machinery tailored for the wrist.
High-Complication Mechanics: Caliber REC-5100M
Underneath the sapphire exhibition caseback lies a mechanical engine fit for a track legend: the Caliber REC-5100M. This certified Swiss-Made, manual-wind movement is a fully integrated, column-wheel-operated flyback chronograph.
Operating at a crisp frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), the movement delivers a robust 63-hour power reserve and is regulated in-house to an impressive accuracy of ±5 seconds per day.
“A flyback chronograph allows the user to reset and restart the timer instantly with a single press—a high-horology complication that perfectly mirrors the split-second timing required on the pit wall at Le Mans.”
The dial arrangement remains clean and highly legible, featuring central hours and running minutes, a small-seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, and dedicated chronograph counters tracking 60 seconds, 30 minutes, and 12 hours.
Fitted with an Incabloc shock-absorber system and 23 jewels, the movement offers crisp, tactile pusher engagement reminiscent of a sequential dog-ring gearbox.
An Unprecedented Automotive Collaboration
What truly elevates the REC GTR 02R No. 1 above conventional racing watches is the three-way partnership behind its development.
Driver Ray Bellm—the man responsible for piloting chassis 02R to its historic win record—joined forces with Lanzante Limited (the world’s foremost authority on McLaren F1 restorations and road conversions) and REC Watches.
| Specification | Performance Detail |
| Retail Price | £2255 |
| Movement | Caliber REC-5100M (Certified Swiss Made) |
| Complication | Integrated Column-Wheel Flyback Chronograph |
| Power Reserve | 63 Hours (28,800 vph / 4 Hz) |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM / 30 Meters |
Every watch is individually numbered, offering collectors an authentic, wearable piece of history from the car that won Le Mans outright and redefined supercar engineering.
At £2255, the REC GTR 02R No. 1 Watch captures the spirit of endurance, mechanical innovation, and motorsport glory in every single detail.
