HAUTE TIME

2022 Mercedes EQS

Running against the wind.

BY TIM LAPPEN

HAS THE FUTURE ARRIVED? SILLY QUESTION, I KNOW, AS TODAY simply is yesterday’s future. But I mean, has the world of Aldous Huxley, Alvin Toffler, and even Faith Popcorn arrived? Certainly, when it comes to automotive motivation, it may seem so since there are now far more hybrid, electric, and at least partially self-driving cars on the roads worldwide than ever before.

The dialogue around e-cars often divides people along aural issues. “Yes, I like the acceleration, but I miss the sound of a healthy internal combustion engine” (ICE, ice baby!). That discussion invariably takes me back to what must have been a frequent conversation among two groups of enthusiasts at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries: “Yes, the automobile is interesting but I miss the dynamic sounds of when the hoofs meet the roadway, the occasional whinny, and even that great new-horse smell.” Apparently even the most outmoded technology can have its adherents, and then there are the Luddites who prefer the way things always have been (or even as they used to be).

But clearly as we move toward a petroleum-free future (as they aren’t making any more dinosaurs), what exactly are the alternatives? The best option today is electrification, and exhibit A is the 2022 Mercedes EQS. Mercedes may not be the first carmaker of the modern era to join the electron club but it certainly jumped in with both feet in creating this EQ all-electric sub-brand (EQ, for “electric intelligence”) and the EQS is the S-Class electric car that tops their e-car spectrum.

As befits any car with the pedigree of a Mercedes S, the EQS has a myriad creature comforts and a big velvet bag full of electronic wizardry. To start, the car doesn’t look like a traditional Mercedes. The “coefficient of drag” (or CD) — the measurement of how much wind resistance a car experiences while underway — is crucial in order to efficiently slice through the air to achieve a longer range. The EQS was sculpted in order to minimize the CD so the look resembling a smooth jellybean is truly a form-follows-function concept. With a CD value of .20, it reportedly is the “slipperiest” series production car in the world. And not only does that provide for a longer range on a battery that doesn’t have to be bigger to achieve it, but it also provides for a quieter ride since there’s less wind interference.

Inside the cabin, the future is readily apparent, starting with the 56-inch dashboard screen. That’s right — close to five feet of uninterrupted horizontal glass, behind which sit multiple screens for driver info on the left, general functions and navigation in the center (which also can be moved left), and a variety of choices for the front seat passenger on the right.

The EQS 450+ Sedan starts at $102,310, has 329 hp and goes 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Range is about 350 miles. The EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan starts at $119,110, its twin motors together have 516 hp and the car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The 580’s range has not been announced as of press time.

I loved my time with the EQS, which included a multiday trip, as it was a great freeway car (so quiet!), had more than ample luggage capacity (the rear seats fold down), and it was exceptionally comfortable and easy to drive. Those who are concerned about what the future will bring should at least take comfort in knowing that Mercedes has your back (and the rest of you, for that matter) with this well-designed car.

Ferrari SF90

LaFerrari’s powerful younger brother.

BY TIM LAPPEN

WHEN I SAT DOWN TO WRITE ABOUT THE FERRARI SF90, I HAD TWO ideas — one was simply to type “Wow!” 500 times, thereby filling my word count while leaving enough room for some nice photos. However, that would not provide much illumination about this incredible vehicle, so I went with the second option — “Wow!” written only 100 times with more discussion following.

“Good idea,” said I to no one in particular. “Not so fast,” said my editor. So here’s the result of that negotiation.

The SF90 is one of the most incredible vehicles I have ever driven. What does that mean exactly? It means that it is gorgeous, it has copious amounts of power (almost 1,000 hp!), it can accelerate like an aircraft carrier’s jet launcher and can top the speed of virtually any passenger jet’s liftoff velocity. Yet words alone cannot amply describe what it is like to drive a car that has such an ability to thrill that it can accelerate faster than you can say “Isaac Newton” since it’s an object that seemingly never stays at rest.

The name SF90 denotes that Scuderia (“stable,” of course) Ferrari was founded 90 years ago. The Scuderia moniker normally is associated with the racing division of a car manufacturer, but when it comes to Ferrari, their street cars are imbued with the soul of their racers so it was appropriate to denote this street car as the SF90 as it is the first Ferrari ever to combine potent gasoline-powered energy (769 hp) with three electric motors (217 hp). Two of those motors are independent of each other and motivate the front wheels while the third motor assists the gas engine in providing the thrust to the gearbox and, by extension, the rear wheels. And boy does that power (a total of 986 hp) perform, with 0 to 60 mph hit in 2.5 seconds, quicker than you can say “License and registration, too?”

All Ferraris are both sinewy and svelte and the SF90 does not wander from that formula. With purposeful scoops, vents, wings, and slats, the car looks fast when stopped and is superfast when underway. The top speed is 211 mph but it’s how it gets there — the way it feels and sounds — and the way it handles once there that combine to make this car so amazing. It clearly is a close relative of the Ferrari Formula 1 cars as it’s so comfortable under heavy acceleration and cruising at high speed (no, I didn’t exceed 200 mph; I promise that I was below 150 mph virtually the entire time). And yet there is no punishment imposed as a byproduct of that astounding performance as the car feels like it’s on the way to far greater speeds, so comfortable is it under all of the conditions that I experienced.

The SF90 clearly is a performance car for the ages but it’s also beautiful, easy, and fun to drive, plus it sounds great. Since it’s a plug-in hybrid, I was surprised (not really) to see that it wasn’t on the California DMV carpooleligible list but, then again, maybe that’s not the target market. With a base price of $513, 691, perhaps not that many owners will be commuting 9 to 5. However and wherever you drive it, if you’re fortunate enough to get some seat time with this special car, I predict that you will love every minute of it.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT WATCHESHaute

Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II Green Ceramic

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Hublot introduces new timepieces at LVMH Watch Week 2022.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

IT WAS AN EXCITING WEEK AT THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED LVMH Watch Week, which was dedicated to the group’s four maisons: Bvlgari, TAG Heuer, Zenith, and Hublot. The LVMH Watch Week, now in its third edition, welcomes watchmaking craftspeople and industry tastemakers into the wonderful world of timepiece artisanship. For Hublot, this year marks a return of bespoke classics with a modern upgrade and novelties worth noting. TIME ONLY: FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE BIG BANG INTEGRAL IN 40MM

For the first time, Hublot has featured three pieces, three hands, and three materials in one 40mm diameter. This is a first for the Big Bang Integral — and an exclusively sleek design. “No one was expecting it, so of course, we did it: a Big Bang Integral that is more compact, vibrant, and powerful than ever, while also being more refined than any of its other timepieces,” explains Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot. “It has been a true exercise in watch design, retaining our aesthetic and technical grammar but in a totally new format for us. We pulled off the challenge by creating a Big Bang Integral, which once again proves its versatility and modernity!” BIG BANG ONE CLICK 33-, 39- AND 42MM

For a trendier yet sophisticated approach, the Big Bang One Click 33s reveals its multiple facets and come with the new luxury of silky bracelets in a range of vibrant colors. “Hublot excels in flouting conventions, perfectly matching materials that are rarely seen together or have no natural affinity. It’s been [an exceptionally] long time since timepieces were synonymous with austerity. Precision is the common denominator of Haute Horlogerie and jewelry. The Big Bang One Click combines the best of both worlds by giving you the freedom to match your jewelry with your look,” says Guadalupe. THE BIG BANG UNICO GOLF, ORANGE CARBON EDITION

Inspired by renowned American professional golfer Dustin Johnson, the Big Bang Unico gold watch — the first mechanical golf watch with aperture display — is back, but this time, in orange carbon. Designed for the modern golfer, the watch is equipped with an exclusive shot-counting mechanism. “The combination of this great sport, this great champion, and this great mechanical golf watch continues to excite us, and we’re very proud to introduce this latest version of what has become an icon in golf and in Swiss watchmaking,” explains Guadalupe. THE MAGIC OF INKED TIME: THREE NEW MODELS OF BIG BANG SANG BLEU II

The Hublot x Sang Bleu collaboration continues with three new Big Bang Sang Bleu II iterations. In the seventh year of collaboration, Maxime Plescia-Buchi chose to apply his ink to two iconic materials born from the Hublot Art of Fusion — magic gold and ceramic. “We love these long-term collaborations [that] allow us to combine, experiment with, and transpose our expertise and our vision to develop them and push them to new limits,” reveals Guadalupe. “Our scratch-resistant materials engraved with the indelible lines of the Sang Bleu geometry imbue with even greater meaning the messages he conveys through his art: perfection, balance, precision, inalterability, and irreversibility.” THE RETURN TO YELLOW GOLD

Last, but equally significant, Hublot returns to its heritage. Six new Hublot pieces were exclusively unveiled at LVMH Watch Week that recaptured the original essence of the manufacture: the fusion of gold and rubber in a sporty-chic aesthetic, at a time when, over four decades ago, the concept of the elevated sport watch didn’t even exist. Big Bang One Click

The Celebration Continues

Grand Seiko reveals two new models.

BY MARTIN GREENE

GRAND SEIKO RECENTLY ADDED TWO NEW MODELS TO ITS masterful collection of timepieces. The new models, the SLGH009 and the SLGA013, form part of the Heritage Collection, a signature line in the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the 44GS. Both creations focus on the three fundamental pillars for the brand: precision, durability, and beauty.

For these watches, Grand Seiko opted for a diameter of 40mm, giving them a sporty, elegant look. For the dials, Grand Seiko looked to the sky for inspiration, drawing on the elliptical pattern of the orbit of stars, deeply etched into the surface. The result? An understated yet mesmerizing appeal. Aesthetically similar, the Ever-Brilliant Steel, which is made of corrosion-resistant metal that outperforms the 316L steel commonly used in watches. It can also be polished to perfection, reflecting a brilliant white hue that suits these watches perfectly.

While both the SLGH009 and SLGA013 may look similar, there is a profound difference between them. SLGH009 features Grand Seiko’s caliber 9SA5. This automatic movement runs at 36,000 VpH and has a generous power reserve of 80 hours. The finishing of the movement is breathtaking and a true joy to behold. SLGA013 highlights another area of expertise of Grand Seiko, as it is powered by Spring Drive technology. For caliber 9RA2, the brand switched the power reserve indicator to the back of the movement while maintaining the other characteristics. It comes with a five-day power reserve, and thanks to the Spring Drive, it is accurate to around 10 seconds per month. Both watches will be available as limited editions of 550 at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and select Grand Seiko retail stores worldwide in February 2022.

The Making of a Legend

Jacob & Co.’s new Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon mimics the iconic 16-cylinder engine.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

JACOB & CO. AND BUGATTI UNVEILED THE BUGATTI Chiron Tourbillon, a timepiece that honors the legendary Chiron hypercar and reproduces the sensation of the renowned Bugatti 16-cylinder engine.

Designed in a stunning, rich blue shade, the fully transparent sapphire crystal case is inspired by the flowing lines of the Chiron and reveals every aspect of the 578 hand-decorated and hand-assembled components of the JCAM37 manual wound caliber, including the fully functional replica of the Bugatti W16 engine. The case’s design is a true testament to Jacob & Co.’s expertise and impeccable watchmaking artistry as the brand continues to push the boundaries in craftsmanship.

The movement powers the timing functions and a 60-second flying tourbillon. Initiate automation and the “engine” comes to life with its 16 pistons pumping and two turbochargers spinning — a groundbreaking feature for a timepiece. The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon features a 30-degree inclined tourbillon, a first for the Jacob & Co. brand.

Following the launch of the partnership in 2019 with the introduction of the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono, the new Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon exemplifies the brilliance and innovation that has grown out of the collaboration between Jacob & Co. and Bugatti.