Aston Martin unveils Girard-Perregaux as its official watch partner

Girard-Perregaux has been announced as the Official Watch Partner of Aston Martin. The Swiss Manufacture is one of the oldest names in watchmaking, and will collaborate with Aston Martin on upcoming limited-edition timepieces.

In the relentless pursuit of speed, time is the overriding concern. The race against the clock has captivated fans of motorsport for more than 100 years while the measurement of time has challenged watchmakers throughout history. The similarities between both domains are clear to see.

The Aston Martin DBR1 from 1956, a car made for competitive racing, was a precursor for some of Aston Martin's most well-known heritage 'DB' road cars. Styled in-house by Frank Feeley, the shape of the DBR1 remains one of the most beautiful and graceful of all time.

Moreover, the design incorporates a key functional attribute - the side air vent - which debuted on this car and remains a key functional and visual characteristic of Aston Martin's cars to this day. This functional element has become a key aesthetic detail that imbues Aston Martin models with their distinctive personality. In fact, one glance at an Aston Martin car immediately reveals the identity of its maker.

Similarly, when Girard-Perregaux released its now-famous Tourbillon 'With Three Gold Bridges' in 1867, it transformed three functional components, often hidden from view, into attractive aesthetic features. Throughout its 230-year history, the Swiss Manufacture has demonstrated its creativity, often playing with different shapes.

While both organisations have amassed a wealth of skills and traditions, they continue to look ahead. Girard-Perregaux branding will feature on the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team cars at the start of the 2021 Formula One season in Bahrain while the first timepiece to be borne from the collaboration between Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux will be revealed later this year.