Minoia unveils its first two watches, inspired by two of the World Rally Championship's greatest teams
If I close my eyes, I can hear the sound. The thrum of the flat four boxer engine being squeezed for all its worth as Colin McRae hunts down Carlos Sainz and a maiden World Rally Championship crown.
Open my eyes and I'm treated to a spectacle of sumptuous sliding; the gorgeous blue and yellow peaking through the mud-caked car reminding me that I'm staring at nothing other than a Subaru.
This, to many, is peak rallying. So much so that all of the above exists only a mental image I - as someone not fortunate enough to be at the 1995 RAC Rally - have created for myself.
Subaru's impact on the world of rallying was immediate. The Impreza became the car to beat on the stages, but it was the fanfare it created off it that really won over hearts.
But Subaru's Japanese neighbour had other ideas. Almost as quickly as the Impreza had conquered the world of rallying, along came Mitsubishi with its various Evolutions of the Lancer.
With Tommi Makinen behind the wheel, Mitsubishi disrupted Subaru's success and streamrolled to four drivers' championships on the bounce, creating its own legion of passionate fans.
No matter which side of the fence you sat on, Subaru vs Mitsubishi is recognised as an era-defining rivalry of the 1990s - two ordinary car brands going toe-to-toe on the biggest stage, leaving memories that will live on for generations.
Introducing the Minoia Rivalry collection; the new way to celebrate this battle of the rallying titans through the Maverick and Disruptor timepieces.
Made to the highest quality with a design inspired by those famous cars, each watch is one to add to your collection - particularly as they'll all be individually numbered and sold with an exclusive book detailing the Subaru and Mitsubishi rivalry.
Sustainability also plays a big part in our thought process, and therefore we have decided that we will plant two trees for every watch purchased. It's our way of giving back to the world.
Both watches are 42mm in diameter, encompassed in a 316L stainless steel case, and both are fitted with leather straps, each with appropriately coloured stitching. They're also waterproof up to 10ATM or 100 metres, and under the hood, the watches are operated by the sturdy and ever-reliable Miyota OS20.
And to finish off the watches in style, they're topped with sapphire glass, ensuring quality is maintained to the highest standard.
Since Maverick celebrates Subaru's approach to the WRC, we couldn't choose any colour other than matte blue, and the three subdials are yellow, representing that famous 555 lashed down the side of the Impreza.
We've taken a similar approach with the Disruptor watch. Celebrating the Mitsubishi Evo of the mid 1990s, the dial is matte white and features a red tachymeter ring to match that iconic livery we all remember so fondly. In keeping with the rear three quarter panel of the Evo, the subdials are grey, while the hand of the bottom sub-dial features a little nod to Ralliart's involvement in the Evo's success.
Only 100 of each model will be produced, so what are you waiting for?
If I close my eyes, I can hear the sound. The thrum of the flat four boxer engine being squeezed for all its worth as Colin McRae hunts down Carlos Sainz and a maiden World Rally Championship crown.
Open my eyes and I'm treated to a spectacle of sumptuous sliding; the gorgeous blue and yellow peaking through the mud-caked car reminding me that I'm staring at nothing other than a Subaru.
This, to many, is peak rallying. So much so that all of the above exists only a mental image I - as someone not fortunate enough to be at the 1995 RAC Rally - have created for myself.
Subaru's impact on the world of rallying was immediate. The Impreza became the car to beat on the stages, but it was the fanfare it created off it that really won over hearts.
But Subaru's Japanese neighbour had other ideas. Almost as quickly as the Impreza had conquered the world of rallying, along came Mitsubishi with its various Evolutions of the Lancer.
With Tommi Makinen behind the wheel, Mitsubishi disrupted Subaru's success and streamrolled to four drivers' championships on the bounce, creating its own legion of passionate fans.
No matter which side of the fence you sat on, Subaru vs Mitsubishi is recognised as an era-defining rivalry of the 1990s - two ordinary car brands going toe-to-toe on the biggest stage, leaving memories that will live on for generations.
Introducing the Minoia Rivalry collection; the new way to celebrate this battle of the rallying titans through the Maverick and Disruptor timepieces.
Made to the highest quality with a design inspired by those famous cars, each watch is one to add to your collection - particularly as they'll all be individually numbered and sold with an exclusive book detailing the Subaru and Mitsubishi rivalry.
Sustainability also plays a big part in our thought process, and therefore we have decided that we will plant two trees for every watch purchased. It's our way of giving back to the world.
Both watches are 42mm in diameter, encompassed in a 316L stainless steel case, and both are fitted with leather straps, each with appropriately coloured stitching. They're also waterproof up to 10ATM or 100 metres, and under the hood, the watches are operated by the sturdy and ever-reliable Miyota OS20.
And to finish off the watches in style, they're topped with sapphire glass, ensuring quality is maintained to the highest standard.
Since Maverick celebrates Subaru's approach to the WRC, we couldn't choose any colour other than matte blue, and the three subdials are yellow, representing that famous 555 lashed down the side of the Impreza.
We've taken a similar approach with the Disruptor watch. Celebrating the Mitsubishi Evo of the mid 1990s, the dial is matte white and features a red tachymeter ring to match that iconic livery we all remember so fondly. In keeping with the rear three quarter panel of the Evo, the subdials are grey, while the hand of the bottom sub-dial features a little nod to Ralliart's involvement in the Evo's success.
Only 100 of each model will be produced, so what are you waiting for?
Head to shop.minoiawatches.com to pre-order yours now.
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