The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2025 - Issue 37

bitewatches increasing competition from Japanese manufacturers, began to erode its market share. In 1968, BMC merged into British Leyland, and Donald Healey left the company. Production of Austin-Healey cars ceased in 1972 when the 20-year agree- ment between Healey and Austin expired. Over the decades, there have been several attempts to resur- rect the brand. BMW, which acquired the rights to the Austin name, developed a concept called Project Warwick in 2001, inspired by the Healey 3000. Other efforts, including Project Tempest and ventures by HFI Automotive, aimed to revive the marque but stalled due to legal and financial hurdles. Today, Austin-Healey cars are cherished classics blending elegance, performance, and mechanical simplicity at vintage rallies and Concours events. Frédérique Constant and Austin-Healey’s first collaboration was a limited edition timepiece inspired by the aesthetics of the legendary Austin-Healey 100S. The watch featured a British Racing Green dial, a nod to the iconic colour of many Healey models, and was powered by an automatic movement. It came packaged in a collector’s box alongside a miniature replica of the Healey NOJ393, the famed 1953 Austin-Healey that competed in the World Sports Car Championship. The Swiss watchmaker brand has served as the official timekeeper for numerous vintage car rallies, including the legendary Peking to Paris Motor Challenge and the Carrera Panamericana. First held in 1907, the Peking (now Beijing) to Paris is the world’s longest-running and most prestigious motoring endurance event. The Mexican Carrera Panameri-