Lorige BL-Evolution Gris Circuit Cadillac Review

MichaelC · 2026-04-30T04:18:33Z

Discover the Lorige BL-Evolution Gris Circuit, a unique watch crafted from actual race car brake pads. MichaelC shares his personalized experience with this automotive-inspired timepiece.

MichaelC

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

12 replies201 views8 photos

MichaelC introduces the Lorige BL-Evolution Gris Circuit, a timepiece that uniquely bridges the worlds of haute horlogerie and high-performance automotive racing. His post details the brand's innovative use of actual carbon/carbon brake pads from endurance race cars for watch cases and dials. This article delves into MichaelC's personal journey from discovering Lorige to receiving a custom-crafted watch, highlighting the brand's exceptional approach to client engagement and product authenticity.

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Sometime in 2024, a good friend of mind asked me if I had heard of a watch brand named Lorige. Lawho? No, I had not.

This brand, which was founded in 2018, was apparently making watches with an extremely unique tie to the automotive industry. Specifically, Lorige makes watch cases and dials from the actual carbon/carbon brake pads from endurance race cars. What's more, the brake pads they use commonly come from cars that have used them in actual races, and in some cases those cars were race winners.

With my interest piqued, I made a point to check up on the brand here and there. A U.S. Distributorship was announced last summer, and I signed up to an email list for updates. Through an interesting course of events, I was invited to be a guest of the brand at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January this year. Mind you I had not purchased anything, I merely expressed an interest and the brand reached out to invite me. I was quite pleased to make my own travel arrangements, and Lorige took it from there.

The event was incredible. I had not previously attended any kind of real automotive race (OK, I have been in a few, but these are non-sanctioned, random events that just seem to happen from time to time ;-) ), and it was quite exhilarating. I was able to handle a few protypes and production watches. I interacted directly with the brand founder and his staff, and the U.S. Distributor. The product was so utterly impressive, exciting, unique, and authentic, I confirmed an order for a yet-to-be-released watch called the Gris Circuit. Today, the very first piece from the limited edition was delivered to Colorado.

There is so much more information to detail about this incredible brand, and I will get to that. For now, let me just say that the 50 pieces for the Gris Circuit were announced to be coming from brake pads run on Ferrari 550 GTS and Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 cars. Sometime after my order was submitted, I was contacted directly by the company founder, Clément Etienvre. He asked me if it would be OK if he selected a special brake pad for my specific watch. During the course of our conversations at Daytona, he learned I was a Cadillac fan and own the Blackwing. It was just part of the conversation, nothing we dwelled on, but something he and his wonderful colleague Louise must have noted.

I could not be more pleased to share my watch, #02/50, which has been fabricated from the 2019 12 Hours of Sebring race winning Cadillac #31 car. I am so blown away by the gesture, which also included a personalized video sent from one of the three Cadillac Team drivers, Pipo Derani, who informed me a week ago my watch was on the way, and it was the first in the world.

I look forward to sharing much more on this magnificent timepiece (which, in addition to its unmatched authenticity, features a 7 day, double barrel, manual winding movement) in the coming months. For now, please enjoy some photos of my new Lorige Cadillac

All watch cases are engraved on the left caseband with the specifics of the actual brake pad it is made from. The numbers on the left, 8233-373, represent the pad this case is cut from, and I will detail more of that process another time.

Given the unique material, no 2 cases will ever be the same.

Every detail is impeccably curated, right down to the orange case markings and lume on the dial!

Key Points from the Discussion

The personalized selection of a brake pad from a winning Cadillac race car for MichaelC's specific watch is a remarkable example of bespoke customer service and adds significant sentimental value.
The tonneau case shape of the Lorige BL-Evolution Gris Circuit is appreciated, complementing the watch's unique material story.
The brand's commitment to personalized customer handling, reminiscent of traditional luxury service, is a key factor in creating an intriguing and satisfying ownership experience.

The Discussion

AuHavrePro

Apr 30, 2026

Sincere congratulations Michael! Filip

KMII

Apr 30, 2026

Really great, when brands continue employing what was the epitome of luxury customer handling to this day. And very intriguing watch - looking forward to seeing more of yours and hearing about your experience 😊👍🏻🤞🏻

quattro

Apr 30, 2026

I like the tonneau shape and of course the very unique material. What a nice touch that they had the idea of making your personal watch with the brake pads of a winning Cadillac! Wear this very unique timepiece in the best of health. Best, Emmanuel

MichaelC

Apr 30, 2026

The orange really strikes me on this watch. Many years ago, I flirted with Chopard's titanium Engine 1, and the version I liked had orange numerals in a titanium case. Here is a photo of the 2 other primary Aston Martin BL-E editions (also 50 pieces each). I understand these 2, plus my 50 piece Gris Circuit edition, are all sold out to the dealer network since Time to Watches 2026 in Geneva.

MichaelC

Apr 30, 2026

This brand has a much smaller production than others. 30+ pieces produced in 2025, and moving to around 100 pieces for all of 2026. You can tell they are interested in relationship building and doing their best for customers. That was the really cool part about the event in Daytona. There was no pressure to buy a watch. They were more interested in teaching the attendees about IMSA and motorsports racing, and sharing their passion for these events. I'll certainly be bringing forth more content.

MichaelC

Apr 30, 2026

In fact, I have had it about as long as anything else, around 20 years. I'll have to untie these two for some photos. Always been drawn to the shape.

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