Unveiled during the AHCI Masters of Horology 2023 exhibition in Geneva, Racer Retro is a new creation by Russia based independent watchmaker Anton Suhanov. This new model is an evolution of the Racer Jumping Hour GMT, the first wristwatch made by Suhanov.
The new Racer Retro comes with an open-worked dial design, yet maintains main signature elements of its predecessor.
These emblematic features include an unusual dial design with two retrograde time counters and a discreet display of the additional functions – seconds, date and GMT, a cushion shaped steel case constructed on the principle of a regular Reuleaux polygon, and a distinctive GMT button that breaks the symmetry of the design and gives the watch an eye-catching character.
Driving the watch is the Su100.20 calibre, and in the Racer Jumping Hour GMT watch, this finely crafted movement remained hidden under the dial. In the new Racer Retro watch, the outstanding calibre is visible through the openings of the skeletonised dial.
The black guilloché dial features four openings, two on the hour and minute dials and two more in the form of bat or pterodactyl wings in the upper part of the dial. Thanks to these dial cut outs, one can enjoy the view of the black-coated and finely finished movement from the dial side.
In addition, Anton Suhanov modified the caliber to open the date ring and changed the shape of some bridges. Thus, through the openings of the dial, one can see how the mechanisms of the retrograde hour and minute displays and the 24-hour GMT display work.
The retrograde dials have an unusual sandy-beige shade. Boasting a brushed green gold finish, they evoke the wooden rim of a steering wheel, which was very popular in sports cars in the 1960s and 1970s. The hands feature perforations reminiscent of the spokes of a steering wheel – another nod to the theme of vintage sports cars.
Instead of the smooth, tapered lugs of the Racer Jumping Hour GMT, the steel case of the Racer Retro has been given a new, accentuated lug shape. Its concave sides seem to echo the shape of the case sides, but in reverse.
Another important innovation is the new shape of the automatic winding rotor. The new watch retains the mysterious design of the full-disc rotor, but instead of the flat rotor of the Racer Jumping Hour GMT, which is reminiscent of the shape of a brake disc, the Racer Retro has a new domed rotor with a fine circular brushing.
This was inspired by large, domed nickel hubcaps of classic 1950s American cars. The ‘stick-on weight’ attached to the disc is engraved with the limited edition number.
The Anton Suhanov Racer Retro watch is available in a limited edition of just 28 pieces.
Technical details
Model: Anton Suhanov Racer Retro
Case
Stainless steel
Dimensions: 39 х 39 mm
Thickness: 12.5 mm
Sapphire crystal
Transparent sapphire caseback
30 m water-resistant
Dial
24 parts
The base, appliques and the bows of retrograde subdials
Brass with ruthenium coating, guilloche
Titanium retrograde subdials with sandy-beige anodization
Functions
Triple retrograde indication invented by Anton Suhanov with retrograde subdials for hours (at 8 o’clock), minutes (at 4 o’clock) and seconds on 20-seconds scale at the centre
Jumping hour hand
24 hours GMT jumping digital indication (at 12 o’clock) with synchronous switch of minutes, hours and GMT at the end of hour
Date window at 6 o’clock
Movement
Caliber Su100.25, self-winding
Base calibre: Eta 2824-2, modified by Anton Suhanov, decorative full-disc oscillating weight (rotor)
Diameter: 31.5 mm
6.9 mm thick (with indication module)
Frequency: 28’800 semi-oscillations per hour
38-hour power reserve
Indication module
Invented, developed and made by Anton Suhanov
132 parts
Jewels: 43 (base caliber – 25 jewels; indication module – 18 Jewels)
Strap
High quality brown leather strap
Stainless steel buckle made by Anton Suhanov and designed as a sportcar spoiler
Edition
Limited edition of 28 pieces
