Group B was the Wild West of motorsport – too much power, too much guts and not enough safety barriers. Autodromo and Mobil 1 have captured this dangerous but golden era in a 39mm titanium case. Meet the Autodromo x Mobil 1 Group B Pegasus Edition. But don’t look too long, as only 70 pieces are available.
If you're too young to remember Group B, imagine today's WRC, except the cars had 500+ horsepower, the safety standards were written on a napkin, and the spectators stood in the middle of the road and only moved away when they smelled petrol. It was crazy. It was dangerous. It was absolutely magnificent. Like – Autodrome x Mobil 1 Group B Pegasus.
It's an era that Autodromo pays homage to with its Group B series. And now, in collaboration with the legendary Mobil 1, they're bringing you a watch that smells of synthetic oil and the 1980s. It's called the Pegasus Edition, and it's probably the only thing from that era that won't try to kill you on the first corner.
Design: More “Miami Vice” than a Swiss bank
First, let’s get one thing straight: this is not a watch for people who wear “corporate gray” suits. This is a watch for people who know what a Lancia Delta S4 is.
The base of the watch is a 39mm titanium capsule, which is encased in a stainless steel outer case. The whole thing is coated with a black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating. Why? Because black is fast. And because the DLC coating means the watch will survive being slammed against a table while you explain to your friends why a manual transmission is the only right choice.
The dial is pure poetry for petrol enthusiasts. It is inspired by vintage racing tachometers, where the colors and graphics were meant to be read at 180 km/h on gravel roads while flying through the Finnish forest. The red Pegasus (winged horse), the Mobil 1 logo, reigns supreme on the dial, adding that “insider” touch that only true connoisseurs will recognize.
Technique: Japanese heart in American design
Under the hood, you won't find a complicated Swiss mechanism that requires service every time you sneeze. The Autodromo cleverly uses a Miyota 9015 automatic movement.
Reliability: This is the workhorse of the industry. It works and works.
Maintenance: If it ever breaks, any watchmaker with at least one working eye can fix it.
Functionality: It offers everything you need without unnecessary ballast that would push the price into the stratosphere.
It's a pragmatic choice that fits the spirit of the rally – robustness over snobbery.
Integrated Bracelet: Back to the Future
The watch sits on an integrated stainless steel bracelet, also coated in black DLC. Integrated bracelets were all the rage in the 80s, then disappeared for a while (like good pop ballads), and now they’re back. Autodromo has done it masterfully – the bracelet blends into the case into a single, aerodynamic whole. Nothing sticks out, nothing gets in the way.
Why are you probably not going to get it?
This is where that “Verge-esque” ironic twist comes in. All of this sounds great, right? The price of $995 (approximately €900 + taxes) is surprisingly reasonable for such a boutique design piece.
But, and this is a big but:
- Only 70 copies were made.
- This is a global number. Not 70 for Slovenia. 70 for the whole world.
- This means that this watch was probably sold out by the time you read the introduction to this article. It comes in a handmade aluminum collector's box, which is a nice consolation for those lucky enough to have fast fingers (or automated bots).
Verdict: More than just “merch”
Often, collaborations between watch brands and automotive giants are just lazy logo-slapping on existing models. The Autodromo x Mobil 1 Group B Pegasus Edition is different. It is thoughtful, aesthetically pleasing, and actually respects the heritage of both brands.
It's a watch I would wear. alone, while on Twitter (sorry, Xu) I would be blazing across Slovenian roads, admiring the engineering excess on my wrist. If you find it on the secondary market, buy it. If nothing else, it will faster than inflation.
