Belgian watchmaker Col&McArthur, based in the Liège region, unveils Francorchamps 1921, a collection created as a tribute to one of the most legendary circuits in the history of motorsport.
True to the brand's DNA, it is crafted from genuine fragments of the Ardennes track, nicknamed "the most beautiful circuit in the world." With Francorchamps 1921, a piece of Spa-Francorchamps can now be worn on the wrist.
Authentic materials, taken from the track 💎
With Francorchamps 1921, the Belgian house Col&McArthur has created a watch crafted from genuine fragments of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Nicknamed the "Ardennes toboggan," it is often described as the most beautiful track in the motoring world. Each piece in the collection is a fragment of the circuit worn on the wrist. The dial is made from the very asphalt of the track, the surface on which the greatest drivers in history have battled. The watch also incorporates an authentic kerb from the track, struck at full speed by generations of racing cars, along with a piece of metal from the legendary Uniroyal tower. A witness to the circuit's history, destroyed and then rebuilt, the tower has now given way to the new Uhoda Tower. But it is on the back of the watch that everything falls into place: the case back reveals the circuit's full layout and the names of its legendary corners, including the famous Raidillon de l'Eau Rouge.
Fitted with a chronograph and a Swiss movement, it comes in two versions. The first, strictly limited to 500 numbered pieces worldwide, is aimed at collectors in search of rarity. The second, also individually numbered, makes the piece accessible to every fan of the circuit. Two interpretations of the same story, in which each watch becomes an exclusive fragment of Spa-Francorchamps history 🏎️.
Liège craftsmanship worn in 70 countries ⚙️
Col&McArthur proudly asserts its local roots. From Ans, in the heart of the Liège region, the brand designs watches worn in more than 70 countries, carrying Belgian watchmaking expertise far beyond the country's borders. The Francorchamps 1921 collection extends this approach: a watch born from a Belgian circuit, assembled close to home.
Since its founding, Col&McArthur has designed watches that tell a story. Meteorite fragments, shards of the Berlin Wall, relics of the D-Day landings, even pieces of a Johnny Hallyday jacket… The Liège house is no stranger to great historical narratives and legends. With Francorchamps 1921, it ventures into the world of motorsport for the first time, at the heart of the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, home to the Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is hard to imagine anything more Belgian and, at the same time, more global than this circuit. The process, however, remains unchanged: take artefacts from history and integrate them into the watch. With each collection, the goal stays the same: to bring a story to life.
"With Francorchamps 1921, we capture the soul of a legendary place. Where others see asphalt and metal, we see decades of daring, courage and emotion. This watch is a part of the circuit worn on the wrist, a fragment of legend passed on to enthusiasts."
Sébastien Colen
Founder & CEO of Col&McArthur