There is little doubting that Ayrton Senna was one of, if not the, most iconic Formula 1 drivers of all time and if you’re looking to celebrate the talented Brazilian’s legacy, this first class Lotus 98T chassis no. 4 Watch from the guys at REC might just be the ideal means of doing it. Hewn from Lotus 98T chassis no. 4, the final black and gold JPS car in F1, raced by Senna in the closing eight races of the ‘86 season, this extraordinary timepiece has a backstory like no other and, with just 989 pieces being made, will fly off the shelves faster than Senna did off the grid.

The REC Lotus 98T Chassis No. 4 Watch is available for pre-ordering now (with 20% off) for £2556 so make sure you move quickly if you want to secure this superb looking timepiece for a bargain price. The watch has been made in close collaboration with Classic Team Lotus and it is certainly one of the most impressive and eye-catching releases to date from Danish watchmakers, REC. Each watch boasts reforged aluminium from the original plenum tubes of the car. Housed in a sleek “glass box” case, the design elements of the timepiece reflect the spirit of this iconic racing vehicle and we’re loving its innovative design here at Coolector HQ.

Lotus constructed just four 98T cars for the 1986 season, labelled chassis numbers 1 through 4. Ayrton Senna drove chassis no. 4 in the last eight races, including the memorable Australian Grand Prix, which is renowned for its dramatic season finale. Currently, chassis no. 4 is privately owned in the UK and has been authenticated by Classic Team Lotus. It still participates in historic racing events to this day. When it was necessary to replace the plenum tubes, the originals were supplied to REC Watches to be integrated into their 98T/4 timepieces.

Crafted from aluminium plenum tubes retrieved from Lotus 98T chassis no. 4, the tachymeter chapter rings of this striking timepiece embody a rich racing heritage. Each watch is imbued with material from the 98T chassis no. 4, creating a physical link to a celebrated period in motorsport. These timepieces are meticulously designed to honour the unique character and racing lineage of this iconic vehicle. What’s not to like about that? Especially if you’re a fan of Senna and F1 Racing.

This timepiece not only incorporates a genuine piece of F1 and racing history but also integrates numerous design elements that reflect the distinctive character and racing DNA of the iconic Lotus 98T. The design features a mix of bold and subtle tributes to the car, from the iconic black and gold colour scheme to intricate details such as the skeletonized rotor “12” that echoes the car’s nosecone, and the movement backplate designed to resemble the top of the Renault EF15B engine.

Precision-crafted, the 98T/4 watch boasts domed crystals that cover both the dial and caseback, with a reforged tachymeter scale elegantly integrated directly beneath the crystal. Housed in a sleek cushion case with a diameter of less than 40mm, these crystals contribute only 3mm to the overall height, creating a notably slender profile for the watch. The RC-98T/4 movement, with its ultra-slim 6.90mm profile, delivers impressive power and complexity within a design that mirrors the sleekness and agility of the 98T race car.

It features chronograph counters positioned at 60 seconds at 6 o’clock and 30 minutes at 12 o’clock. The movement is adorned with a back plate designed to evoke the Renault EF15 engine and includes a skeletonized rotor that carries the driver’s number “12,” reminiscent of the number found on the car’s nose cone. This is complemented by an ultra-slim outer oscillating weight lip crafted from tungsten. The Caliber RC-98T/4 is a certified Swiss-made movement, produced in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. After a truly unique watch for your lineup? Look no further than the Lotus 98T from REC Watches.