Baselworld 2015: Wraith Drive by Rebellion Timepieces

Baselworld 2015: Wraith Drive by Rebellion Timepieces

Wraith Drive is a motorsport-inspired, two-pusher chronograph featuring date, small seconds and tachymeter scale. The assertive steel case – with natural or black DLC finish – is complemented by a high-tech, water-resistant Nytech band or elegant calf leather strap.

Like the moon and the stars, Picasso and his paintbrush, or caviar and champagne, Rebellion Timepieces and high-octane motor racing are simply made for each other. 

Since its inception in 2008, Rebellion Timepieces, in partnership with Rebellion Racing, has been intimately associated with the world of motorsport, participating in the Swiss team’s multiple successes on the racetrack. 

Winner of the 2012 FIA LMP1 World Endurance Trophy, the 2012 Petite Le Mans ALMS race in Atlanta, the 2011 Le Mans Series LMP1 Team Championship and the 2011 Le Mans Series LMP1 Manufacture Championship, Rebellion Racing is synonymous with Rebellion Timepieces, the latter’s logo smartly emblazoned on the successful racing team’s cars and drivers’ overalls. Rebellion Timepieces is also the official timing partner of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

It is this rich, high-octane trackside heritage that is clearly transmitted in Rebellion’s Wraith Drive, a bold two-pusher chronograph featuring a racing-inspired dial design, case construction and engine (movement) selection, placing the Swiss watch brand well and truly in pole position when it comes to creating motorsport-inspired timepieces.

High-legibility display

High legibility is essential on the track and the Wraith Drive’s display confidently upholds Rebellion's reputation in this regard with high-contrast, bright white Arabic numerals and markers.

Central hours and minute hands are complemented at 9 o’clock by a small seconds disc bearing the Rebellion logo. The spokes of the disc unmistakably evoke the wheels of a race car. You can nearly smell the scent of motor oil and hot engines!

The chronograph function includes a central elapsed seconds hand, a minute counter at 12 o’clock and an hour counter at 6 o’clock. The design of the chronograph seconds hand counter weight is cleverly in the form of the Rebellion Timepieces logo, and the chronograph counters themselves resemble the dials on an automotive dashboard.

The plate providing the base for the chronograph counters and framing the small seconds and date at 3 o’clock bears vertical straight graining, while the dial base plate is decorated with fine radial lines. The dial plates come with a grey, black or green-and-black finish, and with a grey, black, green or red small seconds disc.

Reinforcing the Wraith Drive’s racing spirit is a tachymeter scale around the steel bezel, enabling speed to be calculated from distance and time.

Assertive case

Wraith Drive’s steel case boasts virile 47 mm dimensions confidently announcing its presence on the wearer’s wrist. It is available with natural steel or black DLC finish.

The grooves on the bright, brake-red chronograph pushers resemble car cam covers while the chunky crown is reminiscent of a wheel nut. The grooved caseband ‘Rebellion’ plate is fixed via distinctive screws with heads in the form of the brand's logo.

An engine to last the pace

If Rebellion Racing is a name going hand in hand with successful endurance car racing, Rebellion Timepieces excels in endurance watchmaking. The Wraith Drive’s chronograph movement has been specifically chosen for its proven reliability and, featuring a power reserve of 48 race-hardened hours, it is more than able to last the pace.

Choice of strap materials and easy-opening buckle

Wraith Drive comes with a choice of strap: either high-tech, water-resistant Nytech fabric for an ultra comfortable, high-octane drive, or soft calf leather for a touch of elegance. The stainless steel folding buckle features two pushers for secure opening and closing.

Wraith Drive editions and Rebellion’s Wraith series

Wraith Drive is part of Rebellion Timepieces’ Wraith series. Wraith means ‘ghost’ or ‘apparition’. Wraith Drive is available in six editions: natural steel case and grey dial; natural steel case and black dial; black DLC steel case and black dial; black DLC steel case and green-and-black dial; black DLC steel case and red-and-black dial; and a special limited edition yellow-and-black, exclusive to the drivers of the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) for which Rebellion Timepieces is the official timing partner.