Herbelin Cap Camarat Automatic Chronograph Racing Green Brings Motorsport Edge to Sports Chic

While Herbelin are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Newport, right now we’re focusing on their sportier collection the Cap Camarat. It’s one of their coolest lines, made all the more so by the addition of the new Cap Camarat Automatic Chronograph Racing Green, which combines a sporty case, a sporty complication and a colourway with a long history in motorsport.

Let’s start by taking a closer look at the case, which is made from stainless steel and measures 42mm in diameter. Immediately you can see the design influences of the 1970s with its integrated steel bracelet and broad, flat bezel featuring visible screws. The designer most associated with this style (although he had nothing to do with the creation of the Cap Camarat) is Gerald Genta, the designer who helped to pioneer some of the most famous examples of the style including the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. In fact, Genta’s name comes up so often we decided to take a look at some of the watch designers who deserve more recognition, you can read the article here.

What makes the Herbelin Cap Camarat Automatic Chronograph Racing Green special is the new racing green dial. It’s a darker, more serious colourway than the bright blue and panda references also found in the collection. It features a horizontal stamped dial with subtle sunray brushed finishing making the light play across it in multiple dimensions and adding a richness to the green tone.

This particular shade of green, known as British Racing Green, originated around 1902 when it was used for British cars competing in international races. Since then, it has become synonymous with sleek racers and high-performance sports cars. Its use on the Herbelin makes for a watch you can easily picture timing laps at a vintage car track day.

Completing the dial is the duo of black subdials arranged in bicompax display. At 3 o’clock you have a 30-minute counter and at 9 o’clock is the small seconds subdial. I like how they’re reminiscent of vintage dashboard clocks furthering the secondary motoring aesthetic that compliments the overall sports luxe design. The dial also features a date display at 6 o’clock as well as central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds.

Powering the piece is the Sellita SW510 automatic chronograph movement, which features a really solid power reserve of 62 hours. It’s visible through the Cap Camarat Automatic Chronograph Racing Green’s exhibition caseback with its Herbelin branded rotor. Compared with many Sellita movements, its specs are impressive, which justifies its £2,339 price tag – making it the most expensive Cap Camarat in the range.

The Cap Camarat is a really interesting collection, ranging from accessible quartz pieces to this watch at the top end. It fills a similar niche to watches like the Tissot PRX but is more exclusive. Plus, there’s that motorsport sub-theme courtesy of the green colourway that helps this watch stand out against rivals.

More details at Herbelin.

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