Abarth Celebrates Two World Records, But Not With A Car

• In 1965, Carlo Abarth set two world records with the 1000 Monoposto.
• The firm partnered with watch manufacturer Breil to create a chronograph.

Abarth is celebrating the 65th anniversary of two very special world records set by the Abarth 1000 Monoposto. However, as much as we’d love to have seen a limited-run car launched to celebrate the records, the brand has instead teamed up with watch manufacturer Breil to create a special timepiece limited to just 465 units. Priced at €399 ($463), it’s certainly not cheap, but it’s affordable compared to other automotive-inspired watches.

On October 20, 1965, company founder Carlo Abarth set quarter-mile and 500-meter world records in the special Abarth 1000 Monoposto Record. The single seater was based on a Formula 2 car of the day and fitted with a 982 cc engine producing 105 hp at 8,800 rpm. It weighed just 500 kg (1,100 lbs), and to give himself the best chance of setting the records, Carlo Abarth lost roughly 30 kg (66 lbs) before the attempt.

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While driving the car at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Abarth set quarter-mile and 500-meter dash records of 13.62 seconds and 15.38 seconds, respectively, in the G-class engine displacement category. The car was then fitted with a more powerful 2.0-liter engine with 216 hp, and the following day, it set quarter-mile and 500-meter records of 11.55 seconds and 13.37 seconds for the E-class category.

The car is now part of the Heritage Hub museum in Turin, Italy, but Abarth enthusiasts can pay homage to it with the new timepiece. Admittedly, the similarities between the car and the watch are limited.

What Makes The Watch Special?

Featuring a black stainless steel case combined with forged carbon fiber and traditional carbon fiber, the Breil Abarth 1000 has Start and Stop buttons positioned at 2 and 4 o’clock. There are also skeletonized IP-titanium hands with a luminescent coating. The front is made from high-quality sapphire, while found at the rear is the watche’s serial number and an inscription reading ‘1965-2025, Abarth 1000, 60 anni di storia.”