We do love a good war story here at the Northern Watch Co magazine and what finer way to remember the sheer courage and bravery of the men – and women – who fought in the Special Operations Executive, than by wearing a chrono watch, that comes with a booklet telling the true story of each racing driver, turned anti-Nazi spy and saboteur.

Hats off to Trafford Watches in the USA for putting together an SOE Roadster watch collection that celebrates old school heroism and wants to remember history, rather than re-write it for the forever offended. Nazis and their enablers deserved some payback and SOE did exactly that, long before the beaches of Normandy were invaded. That took guts.

I was familiar with Robert Benoist from various books on special forces and the French Resistance, but Jean-Pierre Wimille and William Grover-Williams are two new names for me, and it’s amazing to read of their WWII exploits. Each of the three road racers has a themed colour dial; french blue, black and BRG for Grover-Williams. Inside the 41mm steel case, there is the Seiko V series meca-quartz movement, with a sapphire crystal on the top, Uni-directional bezel and super Luminova on the markers and hands. The de luxe box and booklet is a nice extra bonus too.

Unsurprisingly this one has been funded rapidly on Kickstarter and deliveries should start later in 2021. Early bird price is £215, but the watch ships from the USA so there could be import duty on top for UK customers.

There is a fourth watch in this collection on its way too, with a blazing red dial. Plus if you buy three, you get a wooden display box.

More here at the Trafford Watch Kick page.