REC TTT Escape watch

This is an unusual piece to bring you! It’s a beautiful limited edition Swiss-made watch that is not only designed around the Triumph used in the Great Escape film, but also has actual parts of the original bike in it!

When Triumph collector Dick Shepard sympathetically restored the famous jumping TR6 twin (which in the film was meant to be a German Army BMW), he replaced the clutch plates and con rods among other parts and REC has used a piece of them inside each of the 393 watches.

Thanks to the skeletal look, you can not only see the part, but also the Swiss movement working, too. The arms for the straps have been made to look a little like the exhaust down pipes, the registration number of the bike is printed on the face, and even the wartime Siamese headlamp is replicated on the crown.

A gimmick, I hear at the back? Some will possibly think that, but we are happy to spend £3.50 for a coffee these days, and once you have ventured in to the world of quality watches, the attention to detail is second-tonone. I look at them as miniature gearboxes – and I respect anyone who can build those! It is one of the most famous motorcycles of all time, and for a Swiss-made manual/automatic watch, under £1500 seems good value. I think it’s a lovely take on a traditional look and an interesting talking point, and should never age.