Five coolest motorsport watch collaborations ever
18 Jan 2019|8,053 views
FIVE COOLEST
MOTORSPORT WATCH COLLABORATIONS EVER
Any avid fan of motorsports would know the storied heritage that it has with timepieces. Here are five of our favourite collaborations ever.
Text | Nigel Yong
Photos | Manufacturers
Photos | Manufacturers
18 January 2019
Anyone who's an avid fan of motorsports would know the storied heritage that it has with timepieces. After all, both motor racing and the collection of luxury watches are hobbies that the well-heeled indulge in.
From Formula One to international rallies, it's become something of a challenge to find a successful driver or team without a sponsorship from a major watchmaker.
And one of the biggest reasons motorsports and timekeeping are so inseparable is because racing depends on highly accurate timekeeping. Remove it and there's no way to record lap times, race times, or other data.
Until today, watchmakers continue to develop tool watches to help race drivers gauge their speed, distance and lap times. So here then are the five coolest racing watch collaborations ever.
From Formula One to international rallies, it's become something of a challenge to find a successful driver or team without a sponsorship from a major watchmaker.
And one of the biggest reasons motorsports and timekeeping are so inseparable is because racing depends on highly accurate timekeeping. Remove it and there's no way to record lap times, race times, or other data.
Until today, watchmakers continue to develop tool watches to help race drivers gauge their speed, distance and lap times. So here then are the five coolest racing watch collaborations ever.
1. Rolex and Newman
Produced in 1963 as a tool watch for motorsports enthusiasts, the Rolex Daytona's three chronograph counters are meant to record lap times.
The Daytona was initially a timepiece that Rolex could not get off their shelves for the life of them. As legend has it, as soon as actor and race car driver Paul Newman was captured on the cover of an Italian magazine sporting the timepiece, it gained exponential popularity.
In October 2017, Newman's own Daytona sold for a record price of $17.8 million at Phillips auction house in New York.
Produced in 1963 as a tool watch for motorsports enthusiasts, the Rolex Daytona's three chronograph counters are meant to record lap times.
The Daytona was initially a timepiece that Rolex could not get off their shelves for the life of them. As legend has it, as soon as actor and race car driver Paul Newman was captured on the cover of an Italian magazine sporting the timepiece, it gained exponential popularity.
In October 2017, Newman's own Daytona sold for a record price of $17.8 million at Phillips auction house in New York.
2. Omega and Schumacher
The iconic Omega Speedmaster, best known for its use by NASA during the Apollo programme, was originally designed as a sports and racing chronograph.
The first Speedmaster in 1957 was the first chronograph wristwatch to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel rather than on its dial, which made it handy for race car drivers to time their laps.
A 1968 version of the Speedmaster came with a Racing Dial, showcasing orange and red minute markers, orange chronograph hands, and an orange logo. This particular model inspired many other Speedmasters throughout the years.
Before Formula One driver Michael Schumacher switched to Audemars Piguet, he was an Omega ambassador since 1995. Omega honoured him with many pieces, starting in 1996 with a Speedmaster Reduced model and there are a couple of versions of the Speedmaster that were dedicated to this great racing driver.
The iconic Omega Speedmaster, best known for its use by NASA during the Apollo programme, was originally designed as a sports and racing chronograph.
The first Speedmaster in 1957 was the first chronograph wristwatch to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel rather than on its dial, which made it handy for race car drivers to time their laps.
A 1968 version of the Speedmaster came with a Racing Dial, showcasing orange and red minute markers, orange chronograph hands, and an orange logo. This particular model inspired many other Speedmasters throughout the years.
Before Formula One driver Michael Schumacher switched to Audemars Piguet, he was an Omega ambassador since 1995. Omega honoured him with many pieces, starting in 1996 with a Speedmaster Reduced model and there are a couple of versions of the Speedmaster that were dedicated to this great racing driver.
3. Heuer and McQueen
While Rolex was one of the first companies to capitalise on the popularity of racing, it was Heuer that was most closely associated with racing throughout the second half of the 20th century.
Heuer watches became more broadly associated with racing in 1971, when legendary actor and race car enthusiast Steve McQueen wore a Monaco 1133 and a Heuer crest on his racing suit in classic 1970 Hollywood racing film Le Mans.
Like the race and city it's named for, the Monaco is the epitome of elegance and prestige with a vintage flair. To this day, the Monaco is closely associated with the Le Mans race and Steve McQueen.
While Rolex was one of the first companies to capitalise on the popularity of racing, it was Heuer that was most closely associated with racing throughout the second half of the 20th century.
Heuer watches became more broadly associated with racing in 1971, when legendary actor and race car enthusiast Steve McQueen wore a Monaco 1133 and a Heuer crest on his racing suit in classic 1970 Hollywood racing film Le Mans.
Like the race and city it's named for, the Monaco is the epitome of elegance and prestige with a vintage flair. To this day, the Monaco is closely associated with the Le Mans race and Steve McQueen.
4. IWC and Hamilton
IWC is a major sponsor of Team Mercedes in Formula One, and both drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas wear gloves with the well-known Big Pilot's Watch printed on them.
Hamilton has exhibited a number of IWC timepieces like the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition 'Lewis Hamilton', the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot World Timer and the limited edition Big Pilot.
IWC is a major sponsor of Team Mercedes in Formula One, and both drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas wear gloves with the well-known Big Pilot's Watch printed on them.
Hamilton has exhibited a number of IWC timepieces like the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition 'Lewis Hamilton', the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot World Timer and the limited edition Big Pilot.
5. Hublot and Vettel
Before Hublot, Ferrari could never retain a partnership with a watch brand. The reason for an unsteady association is that no watchmaking brand could match Ferrari's success.
The team currently employs Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen as drivers. While Vettel is not the biggest watch enthusiast, he could not resist donning the arresting Hublot timepieces. Particularly fond of the Hublot Big Bang Unico collection, he has flaunted a White Ceramic and King Gold watch from the same collection.
Before Hublot, Ferrari could never retain a partnership with a watch brand. The reason for an unsteady association is that no watchmaking brand could match Ferrari's success.
The team currently employs Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen as drivers. While Vettel is not the biggest watch enthusiast, he could not resist donning the arresting Hublot timepieces. Particularly fond of the Hublot Big Bang Unico collection, he has flaunted a White Ceramic and King Gold watch from the same collection.
Whether it's a racing machine or the automatic timepieces that complement them, tender loving care is what makes them last longer, and perform at their best.
Watch winders are essential items for watch lovers, owners, collectors and enthusiasts of fine automatic wristwatches. Especially if it is a vintage watch, watch winders are an essential and practical acquisition to taking care of it.
Maintenance alone will not prevent wear and tear of the gears. If your automatic watch is continuously running, it should self-lubricate to help make it durable. A well-designed automatic watch can last up to 150 years provided that it is kept wound.
Watch winders are essential items for watch lovers, owners, collectors and enthusiasts of fine automatic wristwatches. Especially if it is a vintage watch, watch winders are an essential and practical acquisition to taking care of it.
Maintenance alone will not prevent wear and tear of the gears. If your automatic watch is continuously running, it should self-lubricate to help make it durable. A well-designed automatic watch can last up to 150 years provided that it is kept wound.
Above, left: Founder of Richman Luxury watch winders, Jin Goh
A watch winder also helps to safely store your valuable automatic watches since the watch bands can wrap securely and tightly around a pillow in the winder.
A good one like the RMW002 Richman 2 Watch Winder rotates your automatic watch in the set direction and sets turns per day in the right turn-and-rest cycle. Its Japan-designed Rotor also makes for super silent movement and has a door sensor function that stops the rotor when you open the cover to remove your watch.
Whether it's storing one watch, or more than eight, Richman Luxury has a watch winder solution for you. Its winders are also of high-quality, super silent and finished in timeless, high-gloss polished lacquer.
A good one like the RMW002 Richman 2 Watch Winder rotates your automatic watch in the set direction and sets turns per day in the right turn-and-rest cycle. Its Japan-designed Rotor also makes for super silent movement and has a door sensor function that stops the rotor when you open the cover to remove your watch.
Whether it's storing one watch, or more than eight, Richman Luxury has a watch winder solution for you. Its winders are also of high-quality, super silent and finished in timeless, high-gloss polished lacquer.
Any avid fan of motorsports would know the storied heritage that it has with timepieces. Here are five of our favourite collaborations ever.
Anyone who's an avid fan of motorsports would know the storied heritage that it has with timepieces. After all, both motor racing and the collection of luxury watches are hobbies that the well-heeled indulge in.
From Formula One to international rallies, it's become something of a challenge to find a successful driver or team without a sponsorship from a major watchmaker.
And one of the biggest reasons motorsports and timekeeping are so inseparable is because racing depends on highly accurate timekeeping. Remove it and there's no way to record lap times, race times, or other data.
Until today, watchmakers continue to develop tool watches to help race drivers gauge their speed, distance and lap times. So here then are the five coolest racing watch collaborations ever.
Anyone who's an avid fan of motorsports would know the storied heritage that it has with timepieces. After all, both motor racing and the collection of luxury watches are hobbies that the well-heeled indulge in.
From Formula One to international rallies, it's become something of a challenge to find a successful driver or team without a sponsorship from a major watchmaker.
And one of the biggest reasons motorsports and timekeeping are so inseparable is because racing depends on highly accurate timekeeping. Remove it and there's no way to record lap times, race times, or other data.
Until today, watchmakers continue to develop tool watches to help race drivers gauge their speed, distance and lap times. So here then are the five coolest racing watch collaborations ever.
1. Rolex and Newman
Produced in 1963 as a tool watch for motorsports enthusiasts, the Rolex Daytona's three chronograph counters are meant to record lap times.
The Daytona was initially a timepiece that Rolex could not get off their shelves for the life of them. As legend has it, as soon as actor and race car driver Paul Newman was captured on the cover of an Italian magazine sporting the timepiece, it gained exponential popularity.
In October 2017, Newman's own Daytona sold for a record price of $17.8 million at Phillips auction house in New York.
Produced in 1963 as a tool watch for motorsports enthusiasts, the Rolex Daytona's three chronograph counters are meant to record lap times.
The Daytona was initially a timepiece that Rolex could not get off their shelves for the life of them. As legend has it, as soon as actor and race car driver Paul Newman was captured on the cover of an Italian magazine sporting the timepiece, it gained exponential popularity.
In October 2017, Newman's own Daytona sold for a record price of $17.8 million at Phillips auction house in New York.
2. Omega and Schumacher
The iconic Omega Speedmaster, best known for its use by NASA during the Apollo programme, was originally designed as a sports and racing chronograph.
The first Speedmaster in 1957 was the first chronograph wristwatch to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel rather than on its dial, which made it handy for race car drivers to time their laps.
A 1968 version of the Speedmaster came with a Racing Dial, showcasing orange and red minute markers, orange chronograph hands, and an orange logo. This particular model inspired many other Speedmasters throughout the years.
Before Formula One driver Michael Schumacher switched to Audemars Piguet, he was an Omega ambassador since 1995. Omega honoured him with many pieces, starting in 1996 with a Speedmaster Reduced model and there are a couple of versions of the Speedmaster that were dedicated to this great racing driver.
The iconic Omega Speedmaster, best known for its use by NASA during the Apollo programme, was originally designed as a sports and racing chronograph.
The first Speedmaster in 1957 was the first chronograph wristwatch to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel rather than on its dial, which made it handy for race car drivers to time their laps.
A 1968 version of the Speedmaster came with a Racing Dial, showcasing orange and red minute markers, orange chronograph hands, and an orange logo. This particular model inspired many other Speedmasters throughout the years.
Before Formula One driver Michael Schumacher switched to Audemars Piguet, he was an Omega ambassador since 1995. Omega honoured him with many pieces, starting in 1996 with a Speedmaster Reduced model and there are a couple of versions of the Speedmaster that were dedicated to this great racing driver.
3. Heuer and McQueen
While Rolex was one of the first companies to capitalise on the popularity of racing, it was Heuer that was most closely associated with racing throughout the second half of the 20th century.
Heuer watches became more broadly associated with racing in 1971, when legendary actor and race car enthusiast Steve McQueen wore a Monaco 1133 and a Heuer crest on his racing suit in classic 1970 Hollywood racing film Le Mans.
Like the race and city it's named for, the Monaco is the epitome of elegance and prestige with a vintage flair. To this day, the Monaco is closely associated with the Le Mans race and Steve McQueen.
While Rolex was one of the first companies to capitalise on the popularity of racing, it was Heuer that was most closely associated with racing throughout the second half of the 20th century.
Heuer watches became more broadly associated with racing in 1971, when legendary actor and race car enthusiast Steve McQueen wore a Monaco 1133 and a Heuer crest on his racing suit in classic 1970 Hollywood racing film Le Mans.
Like the race and city it's named for, the Monaco is the epitome of elegance and prestige with a vintage flair. To this day, the Monaco is closely associated with the Le Mans race and Steve McQueen.
4. IWC and Hamilton
IWC is a major sponsor of Team Mercedes in Formula One, and both drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas wear gloves with the well-known Big Pilot's Watch printed on them.
Hamilton has exhibited a number of IWC timepieces like the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition 'Lewis Hamilton', the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot World Timer and the limited edition Big Pilot.
IWC is a major sponsor of Team Mercedes in Formula One, and both drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas wear gloves with the well-known Big Pilot's Watch printed on them.
Hamilton has exhibited a number of IWC timepieces like the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition 'Lewis Hamilton', the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot World Timer and the limited edition Big Pilot.
5. Hublot and Vettel
Before Hublot, Ferrari could never retain a partnership with a watch brand. The reason for an unsteady association is that no watchmaking brand could match Ferrari's success.
The team currently employs Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen as drivers. While Vettel is not the biggest watch enthusiast, he could not resist donning the arresting Hublot timepieces. Particularly fond of the Hublot Big Bang Unico collection, he has flaunted a White Ceramic and King Gold watch from the same collection.
Before Hublot, Ferrari could never retain a partnership with a watch brand. The reason for an unsteady association is that no watchmaking brand could match Ferrari's success.
The team currently employs Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen as drivers. While Vettel is not the biggest watch enthusiast, he could not resist donning the arresting Hublot timepieces. Particularly fond of the Hublot Big Bang Unico collection, he has flaunted a White Ceramic and King Gold watch from the same collection.
Whether it's a racing machine or the automatic timepieces that complement them, tender loving care is what makes them last longer, and perform at their best.
Watch winders are essential items for watch lovers, owners, collectors and enthusiasts of fine automatic wristwatches. Especially if it is a vintage watch, watch winders are an essential and practical acquisition to taking care of it.
Maintenance alone will not prevent wear and tear of the gears. If your automatic watch is continuously running, it should self-lubricate to help make it durable. A well-designed automatic watch can last up to 150 years provided that it is kept wound.
Watch winders are essential items for watch lovers, owners, collectors and enthusiasts of fine automatic wristwatches. Especially if it is a vintage watch, watch winders are an essential and practical acquisition to taking care of it.
Maintenance alone will not prevent wear and tear of the gears. If your automatic watch is continuously running, it should self-lubricate to help make it durable. A well-designed automatic watch can last up to 150 years provided that it is kept wound.
Above, left: Founder of Richman Luxury watch winders, Jin Goh
A watch winder also helps to safely store your valuable automatic watches since the watch bands can wrap securely and tightly around a pillow in the winder.
A good one like the RMW002 Richman 2 Watch Winder rotates your automatic watch in the set direction and sets turns per day in the right turn-and-rest cycle. Its Japan-designed Rotor also makes for super silent movement and has a door sensor function that stops the rotor when you open the cover to remove your watch.
Whether it's storing one watch, or more than eight, Richman Luxury has a watch winder solution for you. Its winders are also of high-quality, super silent and finished in timeless, high-gloss polished lacquer.
A good one like the RMW002 Richman 2 Watch Winder rotates your automatic watch in the set direction and sets turns per day in the right turn-and-rest cycle. Its Japan-designed Rotor also makes for super silent movement and has a door sensor function that stops the rotor when you open the cover to remove your watch.
Whether it's storing one watch, or more than eight, Richman Luxury has a watch winder solution for you. Its winders are also of high-quality, super silent and finished in timeless, high-gloss polished lacquer.
