Some icons don’t just live—they launch themselves into the sky, crash spectacularly, and get back up to do it all over again. Evel Knievel was one of those icons. Born Robert Craig Knievel in 1938 in Butte, Montana, he rose to fame in the 1960s and ’70s as America’s most flamboyant daredevil. With his signature red, white, and blue leathers, Knievel didn’t just perform motorcycle jumps—he turned them into cultural events. From flying over 13 buses at Wembley Stadium to his harrowing crash at Caesars Palace, and the infamous 1977 “Shark Jump” that spelled the end of his career, Knievel wasn’t just a stuntman. He was myth in motion.

Decades later, Danish watch brand REC Watches—founded in Copenhagen in 2014 by Christian Mygh and Jonathan Kamstrup—has found a way to preserve and reframe that larger-than-life legacy, not in a museum, but on your wrist. Known for their innovative concept of building timepieces from reclaimed materials, REC (short for Recover, Recycle, Reclaim) has made a name for itself by turning mechanical history into horological storytelling. Whether it’s metal from a classic Ford Mustang, a Porsche 911, or a WWII Spitfire, every REC watch carries with it a real piece of the past—literally.

In 2023, the brand took on one of its most spirited projects yet: the TTT Knievel, a limited-edition timepiece that captures the essence of Evel Knievel’s audacity and allure. Only 736 of these watches exist, a nod to the precise number of jumps Knievel attempted during his career. But the connection goes deeper than numbers. Each watch features material reclaimed from the actual handlebar clutch levers of Knievel’s Harley-Davidson XR750—his preferred and final stunt bike, used during the ill-fated Shark Jump.

That’s not just thematic branding—it’s metallurgy with meaning. The aluminum from those original levers has been reforged and repurposed into the star emblem at the 12 o’clock position on the watch’s dial. That small detail packs a heavy punch. It’s a tribute to Knievel’s star-spangled persona and a literal fragment of his wild, breakneck world—now ticking away on your wrist. The TTT Knievel blends classic Americana with contemporary watch design, offering wearers a tangible link to Knievel’s fearless philosophy. This isn’t a watch for the faint of heart. It’s for those who appreciate the fusion of storytelling and craftsmanship, who understand that time itself is a dare—and wearing it should feel like one. With this release, REC Watches didn’t just craft a limited-edition timepiece. They built a bridge between reckless courage and refined design, between the roar of Knievel’s engine and the quiet tick of a movement keeping his story alive.

The unboxing experience of the TTT Knievel is a bit of a journey—and one that leans into REC’s flair for storytelling. It begins with a black textile bag bearing the brand’s logo, then opens to reveal a metal tin. Inside that is a black cardboard box, and within that, finally, the travel case that contains the watch. It’s a nesting-doll experience clearly designed to build excitement, and it succeeds in delivering that collector’s moment of anticipation. Accompanying the watch are a certificate of authenticity, a cleaning cloth, a printed warranty card, and a sturdy metal card engraved with a QR code that links to the user manual. All of these details give a sense of quality and intentionality—every piece has its place, and nothing feels like an afterthought.

That said, it’s hard to ignore how much packaging is involved. While the multiple layers may amplify the sense of luxury, they also feel a bit at odds with REC’s core values of sustainability and reuse. A more streamlined approach—say, a single metal tin that houses both the documentation and travel case—could reduce waste without diminishing the experience. It might even help trim the cost slightly, which would be a welcome bonus for buyers who value substance over spectacle. Still, none of that detracted from the impact of the watch itself. First impressions of the TTT Knievel were strong—visually dynamic, well-constructed, and clearly designed with both passion and purpose. And as a fun twist: I actually wore it for three days before realizing the case rotates 30 degrees! That surprise discovery felt like a hidden feature in a vintage muscle car—completely unnecessary, but undeniably cool once you know it’s there.

The case of the REC Watches TTT Knievel isn’t just a housing for a movement—it’s a sculptural tribute to Evel Knievel’s mechanical world, echoing the boldness of the man himself. With a diameter of 43mm, a lug-to-lug measurement of 46.5mm, and a case thickness of 12.3mm, it achieves a strong wrist presence without feeling overbearing. The proportions are thoughtfully managed, making it wearable for a wide range of wrist sizes despite its inherently bold aesthetic. Crafted from 316L stainless steel, the case features a dynamic two-part design. The outer case is vertically brushed for an industrial look, referencing the raw materials and surfaces of classic motorcycles, while the inner case is polished to a mirror finish, capturing a more flamboyant, showman-like energy that Knievel was known for. The use of polished wire-style lugs—reminiscent of exposed motorcycle exhaust pipes—continues this homage and gives the piece an identity distinct from typical sport or pilot watches.

A standout feature is the rotating inner case, which can be adjusted 30 degrees by sliding the screw-down crown along a side cutout. This mechanism allows the wearer to switch between “SHOW TIME” and a stylized engraved star, offering both functional versatility and a nod to Knievel’s showmanship. The bezel combines polished and sandblasted finishes, accented by a gold triangle at the 12 o’clock position, adding a touch of elegance to the rugged design. The blend of finishes across the case is masterful—it reflects light differently depending on the angle, adding visual depth without the need for complex curves or superfluous components.

The caseback is just as meaningful. Though it uses mineral glass rather than sapphire, it serves its purpose as a viewing window for the movement and features a bright blue Evel Knievel’s signature. It’s both a stamp of authenticity and a symbolic bridge between the watch and the daredevil’s legendary exploits. The watch is rated to 50 meters of water resistance—not dive-watch territory, but sufficient for everyday wear. The slightly domed sapphire crystal on the front completes the case design with durability and clarity, ensuring the vibrant dial underneath gets its due spotlight.

The dial of the TTT Knievel is the heart of the watch, both literally and emotionally. Designed as a visual tribute to Knievel’s daring persona, it’s layered with references to his wardrobe, his stunts, and his iconic motorcycles. At the center is a glitter-finished black stripe that catches light with subtle sparkle—this is meant to mimic the shimmer of Knievel’s sequined jumpsuits and helmets. Surrounding this is an inner chapter ring that maintains the glitter motif, creating a cohesive visual depth. The central attraction at 12 o’clock is a five-pointed star made from the actual clutch lever of Knievel’s Harley-Davidson XR750—the bike used during the ill-fated 1977 Shark Jump stunt. Each star is machined from repurposed metal, making every TTT Knievel timepiece physically unique.

Flanking the dial vertically are angled red and blue stripes, symbolic of the stripes on Knievel’s jumpsuits and helmets. This detail, while relatively simple, reinforces the Americana vibe and injects a sense of movement and energy into the face of the watch. At 6 o’clock, there’s an applied “1” logo—Knievel’s personal branding mark—set against a monochromatic American flag. It’s a nice thematic grounding for the dial, serving as both a literal and metaphorical base. The skeletonized silver hands feature luminous tips for nighttime readability, while the second hand is painted blue to contrast against the dark dial surface. These hands are well-proportioned and fit the aesthetic of the watch, balancing legibility with flair. Cutouts in the dial at 3 and 9 o’clock subtly reveal the skeletonized movement beneath, adding technical intrigue. The entire dial design walks a fine line between homage and excess, and REC nails the execution. It’s exuberant without being cartoonish, thematic without being gimmicky.

At the core of the TTT Knievel beats a modified Sellita SW200-1 Sb automatic movement, a Swiss workhorse known for reliability, serviceability, and solid performance. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), with a standard power reserve of 41 hours. With 26 jewels, the movement provides smooth operation for both timekeeping and manual winding, and it hacks for precise time setting. While the movement is not uncommon, the skeletonized version that we have here is, and what REC has done with its decoration and presentation elevates it from purely functional to visually compelling. The rotor is skeletonized to mimic the spoked wheel of a motorcycle—an elegant nod to Knievel’s two-wheeled legacy. The bridges are matte black, providing contrast to the polished gears and blue screws. The finishing is consistent with other microbrand pieces in this price range, but the thematic coherence is what stands out.

The strap on the TTT Knievel is more than an afterthought—it’s integral to the watch’s thematic cohesion. Made from black calfskin leather, it’s supple, thick, and comfortable, with a subtly padded structure that helps it sit flush against the wrist. Near the lugs, you’ll find embossed horizontal ribs, which resemble the protective leather gear worn by motorcycle riders—a quiet but effective reference to Knievel’s world. Bright blue contrast stitching ties the strap to the dial’s color accents, while the underside lining adds a splash of unexpected color: vivid blue leather with red cross-stitching. This detail mirrors the red, white, and blue motif found throughout the watch, reinforcing the Americana aesthetic from every angle.

The strap uses curved spring bars to conform snugly to the case, maintaining the visual flow between watch head and band. A robust stainless steel pin buckle secures it, featuring design cues that echo the wire lugs on the case. The buckle itself is substantial and feels well-made, capable of withstanding the everyday wear this watch invites. For those who want versatility, the 22mm lug width means aftermarket options are plentiful, but it’s unlikely that most owners will feel the need to swap it. The included strap is not only high quality—it’s deeply aligned with the identity of the watch. On the wrist, the TTT Knievel wears securely and comfortably. The leather strap starts out slightly stiff, as expected with quality calfskin, but quickly breaks in to become soft and flexible, enhancing overall wearability.

The TTT Knievel is more than just a limited-edition timepiece—it’s a wearable tribute to audacity, storytelling, and mechanical art. In a saturated watch market where many collaborations feel like surface-level branding exercises, REC goes deeper. By incorporating metal from Evel Knievel’s actual stunt bike, the TTT Knievel doesn’t just commemorate the man—it carries a physical remnant of his mythos, engineered into an object of daily use. This isn’t memorabilia for the shelf; it’s history that lives on your wrist, ticking defiantly with every second. What makes this watch especially compelling is how thoroughly it channels Knievel’s spirit—not just through reclaimed material, but in its bold design language, surprising technical flourishes (like the rotating case), and meticulous attention to symbolic detail. The glitter stripe, patriotic color palette, engraved star, and even the skeletonized rotor shaped like a motorcycle wheel all work in harmony to celebrate the man who made a career out of soaring above the impossible.

Yes, there are small critiques to be made—the multilayered unboxing experience walks a fine line between luxury and excess, especially for a brand rooted in sustainability. And while the mineral crystal caseback might raise eyebrows among purists, it’s a reasonable compromise in service of theme and visibility. But none of these quibbles outweigh the overall impression of a product thoughtfully conceived and passionately executed. Ultimately, the TTT Knievel isn’t just for watch enthusiasts—it’s for those drawn to stories of rebellion, risk, and reinvention. It captures the essence of Knievel’s daredevil DNA and reframes it for a modern audience, not as nostalgia, but as inspiration. This is a watch for people who appreciate design with grit, heritage with purpose, and who understand that some icons don’t fade with time—they ride straight through it.

Price 2095€ at recwatches.com