Even nineteen years after his death, Ayrton Senna casts quite a shadow. Widely regarded as the best racing driver in history, Senna won three Formula One World Championships with McLaren before his life and career were cut tragically short at the ripe young age of 34.
Among the many parties keeping Senna's legend alive is Swiss watchmaker Hublot, which has produced a series of timepieces in tribute of the late, great racing driver. The latest is the MP-06, which stands as the most complicated yet.
Crafted with the blessing of Ayrton's sister Viviane, and unveiled recently by her son (his nephew) Bruno, this fourth timepiece in Hublot's Senna collection follows on the success of the Big Bang Senna (released in 2007), the Big Bang Foudroyante Senna (2009) and the King Power Ayrton Senna (unveiled on what would have been Ayrton's 50th birthday at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix).
The new MP-06 Senna is built around a tourbillon movement with 155 components and a 5-day power reserve, housed in a tonneau case with the Senna logo at 9 o'clock on the sapphire dial. It's available in King Gold, titanium, or black PVD titanium, with only 41 examples of each to be made, and comes with a miniature reproduction of Ayrton's racing helmet.
"We are so proud of having Hublot as one of our long lasting partners and extremely honoured that they chose the SENNA collection to present their new special watch design and technology," said Bruno Senna at the watch's unveiling at Hublot's headquarters in Switzerland. "Celebrating Ayrton’s victories and titles with such a beautiful and special collection is outstanding."
Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe added, "It's an honour and a privilege to welcome Bruno to our manufacturer in Switzerland. He is a fine spokesman for the magnificent work being done in Brazil by his mother Viviane and the entire Senna family. We are delighted that our support, as well as that of many friends and partners, is helping to sustain their commitment to give millions of children the education they need to build a future and a better life."
