Volcano
103
"The biggest reward? I'm wearing it on my wrist" ...
... Juan Pablo Montoya, winner of seven Formula 1 races, is cited by Audemars Piguet in the book ROYAL OAK.
At his active Formula 1 times I was not a big fan of him. I only remember his aggressive driving style and the problems he occasionally caused for Michael Schumacher.
Maybe that's why the watch AP dedicated to him in 2003 never really interested me.
I saw it for the first time about 13 years ago. My counterpart on a ferry boat in Ibiza was wearing it. I already thought it was beautiful, but at that time I was still under the spell of my brand new T3, which had also visibly aroused the interest of the Montoya wearer.
In my search for a Barrichello II I have now also dealt with the Montoya - and must admit that I like it due to the borrowed design elements from racing cars. After all, it was the first offshore AP dedicated to Formula One.
It was followed by the Barrichello, the Grand Prix and later many others such as the Barrichello II, III, Jarno Trulli etc ..
My visit to London last week was also used to visit the relevant watch retailers in Mayfair. As a precaution, I had arranged some appointments to see various AP models.
My first appointment, which was about my favorite, the Barrichello II, unfortunately was not successful. We did not reach an agreement.
However, I had luck in the late afternoon and captured a Montoya in very nice condition.
The Montoya is a very underrated special edition. It seems that there is not a lot of literature about it - and it rarely appears in the forums.
Although the Barrichello II remains to be my favorite, the Montoya will not often take it's new place of honor in my watch box ...
I will wear it too often ;-)
Regards,
Hans
"The biggest reward? I'm wearing it on my wrist" ...
Hans, huge congratulations. I owned this very same version, and loved it.
Exactly right. I have covered this topic for many years.
You are too kind! Mine are poo poo compared to Volcano's...
