Best Formula 1 Watches - One Stop Racing

As any F1 fan will tell you, excellence and precision are crucial in this motorsport. Of course, the same could be said for the art of watchmaking and timekeeping. Like the racecars in Formula 1 , an excellent watch is also a feat of brilliant engineering.

As the Official Timepiece of Formula One, Rolex’s Chronograph Daytona timepiece – named after the iconic racetrack – is one of the best F1 watches. From Hublot to TAG Heuer, there are numerous F1 partnerships with global watch brands, which has led to numerous F1-inspired collections.

Whether you’re simply fascinated by Formula 1 watches or looking to buy one for yourself, you’ll love learning more about the best F1 watches available today. We’ll look at different watch brand collaborations with Formula 1 teams and drivers – and, of course, the stunning timepieces they have spawned.

If you’re looking for some other F1 merchandise, check out the awesome stuff at the official F1 store here.

The Best Formula 1 Watches

Since Formula 1 began, there have been numerous sponsorships and partnerships between F1 and different watch brands. Of course, these various partnerships take on many forms. For instance, Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of Formula 1 for nearly a decade.

However, many watch brands sponsor specific Formula 1 teams and players. For instance, Hublot is known for supporting the F1 Ferrari team. There are even instances when watch brands endorse certain players. When Richard Mille stopped sponsoring the Alfa Romeo team, they kept backing driver Kimi Raikkonen.

Over the years, these partnerships between Formula 1 and different watch brands have led to some great collaborations. There have been many instances where F1 racers are given input into the design of certain watches from these brands. These exceptional watches will often be limited to a certain number of units.

In terms of these limited-edition timepieces, many recent Formula 1 watches stand out. However, one of the best is IWC Schaffhausen’s Ingenieur Chronograph Sport Edition “50th Anniversary of Mercedes-AMG” watch. Limited to 250 units, this watch truly celebrates Formula 1 and Mercedes.

Another Formula 1 watch from recent history that stands out here is Richard Mille’s RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph Ultralight McLaren F1 timepiece. The founder of this watch brand has long been a fan of motorsport, which is evident in this “literal racing machine for your wrist.” This McLaren-inspired watch was limited to 75 units.

Many of these partnerships have also yielded fantastic watch collections from these manufacturers. Like the watches discussed above, these collections are also inspired by different Formula 1 teams. The timepieces in these collections are the perfect way for F1 fans to celebrate this motorsport and show off their pride in style.

Naturally, there are more affordable collections, such as Casio Edifice’s AlphaTauri F1 watch collection. Casio unveiled a new group of limited-edition watches in the last six months inspired by this Formula 1 team. The watches in this set utilize the same carbon fiber used in the team’s racing car wings and floors.

There are stunning timepieces available in TAG Heuer’s Formula 1 collection. Their collection includes a core collection, special editions, and limited editions. With multiple timepieces available, buyers can choose a watch best suited to their lifestyle.

Of course, there are also collections with heftier price tags. As we mentioned earlier, Rolex remains the Official Timepiece for F1. A partnership of this magnitude deserves a fitting timepiece. This is abundantly clear in Rolex’s Cosmograph Daytona timepiece collection.

Crafted from precious metals like platinum and named after an iconic F1 racetrack, the Cosmograph Daytona watches are every F1 fan’s dream! Cosmograph Daytona watches are available in Platinum, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Pink Gold, and Oystersteel.

With so many collections and watches to choose from, many F1 fans are unsure of how to pick the perfect timepiece for their needs. There are two ways you can choose a watch! Firstly, you can consider the different watch brands partnered with F1 teams.

You may want to choose a brand that aligns with the team you support! However, it’s also possible to consider the watch brand supported by your favorite racer. In the following sections, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the watch brands associated with Formula 1!

10 Major Watch Brands Associated With Formula 1

From Rolex to Oris, numerous watch brands are associated with Formula 1. Of course, nearly all these brands were mentioned in the previous section. However, if you’re looking for the best Formula 1 watch for yourself, these watch brands are the best place to start. Many even have signature F1 watch ranges for you to shop!

Rolex

Rolex’s involvement in motor racing dates back almost a century, so it comes as no surprise that Rolex is the Global Partner and Official Timepiece of Formula 1. This iconic partnership was formed in 2013, marking a new era in Rolex’s history in motorsport. After all, millions of people consider Formula 1 the pinnacle of motorsport!

In terms of F1 racing, Rolex does not endorse a particular driver or team like many of the other watch brands. However, Rolex has plenty of responsibilities when it comes to this partnership. These responsibilities entail maintaining timekeeping equipment.

If you want to celebrate being a dedicated F1 fan, you might want to consider one of Rolex’s Formula 1-inspired watches. A watch from Rolex’s Cosmograph Daytona collection is for those with a passion for racing. The timepieces in this collection are engineering masterpieces that emphasize precision and efficiency.

TAG Heuer

In 2016, TAG Heuer began a partnership with Red Bull. This partnership proved successful, which was evident when Red Bull extended the sponsorship through to 2024. Of course, TAG’s links to F1 go back even further: between 1984 and 86, TAG Porsche engines drove the McLaren team to three titles.

The collaboration with Red Bull has only strengthened the links between TAG Heuer and Formula 1. If your commitment to Formula 1 runs as deep as TAG Heuer’s, you might want to consider one of the watches from TAG Heuer’s F1-inspired collection.

TAG offers a diverse range of watches for buyers to choose from, allowing them to pick the perfect model for their lifestyle. This unique collection is designed to last. It’s also the only watch series to feature a colored TAG Heuer shield!

Richard Mille

Despite being one of the youngest brands on this list, Richard Mille makes some of the most expensive watches discussed in this article. In 2016, a long-term partnership between Richard Mille and McLaren was announced. Given that the founder is an avid motorsport fan, this comes as no surprise.

In addition to their partnership with McLaren, Richard Mille recently added Ferrari to their list of sponsors. In a statement, Richard Mille stated that they are committed to creating a solid collaboration with Ferrari, an iconic brand with an even more incredible history. This new partnership only strengthens this brand’s ties to Formula 1.

IWC Schaffhausen

Regarding Formula 1, IWC Schaffhausen has partnered with one of the most dominant teams: Mercedes-AMG. In 2010, Mercedes re-entered Formula 1. Three years later, IWC became its official watch sponsor.

IWC Schaffhausen added a unique touch to their branding for Mercedes-AMG by branding racing gloves. When the cameras are focused on the racecar’s cockpit, F1 fans will be able to spot IWC’s clever branding on the driver’s gloves.

In 2019, IWC unveiled two limited edition Formula 1 watches. These Pilot’s Watches were a tribute to Mercedes-AMG, featuring matte black ceramic cases and carbon fiber dials. Only time will tell which F1-inspired timepieces the watch brand unveils next!

Bell & Ross

Since Bell & Ross was founded in the early 90s, the brand has constantly been on runways and racetracks. Since 2016, Bell & Ross have been linked to Formula 1’s Renault team. While the team was recently rebranded to the Alpine F1 team, their watch sponsor has remained the same.

Before Renault was rebranded, Bell & Ross had a collection of Renault F1 watches. However, to mark this new era, the company has unveiled its Alpine F1 collection of watches. The watches in this collection are sleek, with varied designs. There are also limited editions for the right fans!

Hublot

Hublot was founded in 1980, making it one of the newer brands on this list. However, that doesn’t mean Hublot’s watches don’t stand out among these competitors! For several years starting in 2011, Hublot was the official sponsor of the Ferrari team.

During this time, Hublot even gifted Sebastian Vettel with an exclusive timepiece. Due to the recent end of this partnership, finding a Hublot F1 watch may be tricky. Hublot’s limited edition Big Bang King Power F1 watch can go for upwards of $24,000.

Casio

When compared to other watch brands on this list, Casio is one of the more affordable brands. In fact, Casio will arguably be the most popular brand among F1 fans. The reason for this comes down to the quality watches produced by Casio, which are both inexpensive and practical.

In 2020 Casio renewed its partnership with the Scuderia AlphaTauri F1 team. This partnership has proved to be fruitful, both for Casio and the AlphaTauri team. Casio’s Formula 1 AlphaTauri Collection of watches reflects this, genuinely capturing the youthful spirit of this F1 team.

Oris

In 2003, Oris became the official watch sponsor for the Williams Racing team. This means that Oris was there for the heyday of the Williams team. This partnership lasted for 16 years, finally ending in 2018. However, many limited-edition Formula 1 watches were produced during this partnership.

These watches can be costly to purchase today, especially since the partnership has officially ended. However, many of these Oris F1-inspired watches can still be purchased today through various online stores, including eBay.

Bremont

As we explained above, Oris ended their longstanding partnership with the Williams Racing team in 2018. However, you don’t know that this left the F1 team without a watch sponsor for nearly two years. Luckily, British watch brand Bremont became the official watch sponsor of Williams Racing.

Consumers can shop for Bremont’s Williams Racing timepiece collection on their official website. The watches in this stunning collection combine performance and durability. These Bremont x Williams Racing watches are the perfect way to celebrate one of the most iconic teams in Formula 1 history.

Girard-Perregaux

In early 2021, a partnership was formed between the Aston Martin F1 racing team and luxury Swiss brand Girard-Perregaux. Given that Aston Martin was absent from Formula 1 for more than half a century, this partnership makes sense. Both companies can respect their heritage while looking to the future.

The mutual admiration and respect between Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux are evident when you look at the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition watch. While Aston Martin has long been absent from F1, its racing color has always been green. Commonly known as Aston Martin-Green, this color features prominently in this unique watch that celebrates racing.

The Watch Sponsors Of Formula 1 Drivers

Above, we looked at different watch brands that are associated with Formula 1. However, you might be wondering about the brands supported by your favorite F1 driver. What better way to choose a watch brand than looking at which brand your favorite racer uses?

Antonio Giovinazzi

Between 2019 and 2021, Antonio Giovinazzi was a part of the Alfa Romeo Racing team. During this time, fans of Giovinazzi would be able to notice the driver sporting Richard Mille watches. Although Giovinazzi now races in Formula E, there are many fantastic Richard Mille watches in his collection.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz is a member of Ferrari’s racing team, which means Sainz is sponsored by Richard Mille and will often wear their watches. In Sainz’s watch collection, you’ll find a Richard Mille Flyback Chronograph Roberto Mancini. This sleek and robust watch costs more than $350,000.

Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc is a member of Ferrari’s racing team. Due to this, Leclerc is currently sponsored by Richard Mille. In fact, the company’s founder has stated that he’s closely followed Leclerc’s career for many years. Richard Mille knows that Leclerc will go down as one of the greatest drivers in his generation – why not let him wear one of the greatest watches?

Daniel Ricciardo

As a McLaren racer, Daniel Ricciardo also supports Richard Mille. Fans of Ricciardo may be surprised to learn that the accomplished racer has a $2 million Richard Mille watch in his personal collection. You might be more surprised to find out this watch only weighs 32 grams, making it one of the lightest watches of all time.

Esteban Ocon

As a member of the Alpine racing team, F1 fans will see Esteban Ocon sporting Bell & Ross watches. Many of these will also feature the company’s unique bezel design. However, for their Alpine F1 watch collection, some striking timepieces deviate from this bezel design.

Fernando Alonso

Like Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso is also a member of the Alpine team, which was formerly known as the Renault team. Like his teammate, fans will be able to spot Alonso wearing various Bell & Ross watches. Compared to other watch sponsors, Bell & Ross’s F1-inspired watches start at more reasonable prices.

George Russell

As a member of the Williams Racing team, you’re likely to see George Russell sporting a Bremont timepiece. Of course, the team couldn’t have chosen a better sponsor, with both partners sharing in their British heritage. There are many fantastic Bremont x Williams Racing watches available today.

Kimi Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen was active in F1 racing for two decades between 2001 and 2021. When Richard Mille stopped sponsoring the Alfa Romeo team, it continued a partnership with Raikkonen. A Richard Mille watch was inspired by the racer and was limited to 30 pieces. Each Richard Mille RM 50-40 Kimi Raikkonen watch sold for more than $800,000.

Lance Stroll

As a member and part-owner of the Aston Martin Racing team, Lance Stroll supports Swiss watch brand Girard-Perregaux. Of course, this collaboration comes on the heels of Aston Martin’s re-entry into the world of Formula 1. For Aston Martin Racing fans, a Girard-Perregaux watch may be the perfect way to show off their racing pride.

Lando Norris

Lando Norris is an F1 McLaren racing driver. Due to this, the watches worn by Norris are made by Richard Mille, who has been partnered with the team for more than a decade. In 2020, Norris had his prototype Richard Mille watch stolen. Limited to a select number of units, the watch was worth more than £40,000.

Lewis Hamilton

Over the years, Lewis Hamilton has remained an IWC Schaffhausen fan. Since 2013, Hamilton has been a brand ambassador for IWC. Just last year, Hamilton featured in IWC’s Big Pilot’s Watch campaign. In fact, in 2019, Hamilton worked in collaboration with this brand to design a special edition of this watch.

Max Verstappen

If you look at the timepieces sported by Max Verstappen, you’ll notice they’re made by TAG Heuer. As discussed earlier, TAG’s history with Formula 1 goes way back. Given that the TAG x Red Bull deal has been extended through 2024, you’re sure to see Verstappen sporting more TAG Heuer watches in the future.

Mick Schumacher

The son of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, Mick Schumacher races for Haas. Since Mick’s early days in F1, he has been backed by Richard Mille. While his racing team is no longer sponsored by Richard Mille, Mick has maintained a partnership with the brand. One of the watches in Mick’s collection is a Richard Mille RM 11-03 Flyback Chronograph watch, which is valued at more than $500,000.

Nicholas Latifi

Like George Russel, Nicholas Latifi is also a member of the Williams Racing team. Bremont is, therefore, also the official watch sponsor of Latifi. Since the inception of their partnership, Bremont has released numerous Formula 1-inspired watches. Generally, the starting prices will be around $3000.

Pierre Gasly

As a member of AlphaTauri’s racing team, Pierre Gasly supports Casio. Casio Edifice watches were born from the fusion of precision and motorsport, so it makes sense that Gasly proudly supports Casio. One of Casio’s limited AlphaTauri Edifice watches will be perfect for displaying your team’s pride!

Sebastian Vettel

To put it bluntly, Sebastian Vettel is the new face of Aston Martin’s return to Formula 1. As a driver for Aston Martin’s team, Vettel is partnered with Swiss brand Girard-Perregaux. If you look at Vettel’s racecar, you’ll see the Swiss company’s branding; if you look at Vettel’s wrist, you’ll see a Girard-Perregaux watch.

Sergio Perez

As a Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez also sports watches from TAG Heuer. As a team, TAG and Red Bull are in pursuit of excellence. The passion shared is evident in TAG’s Formula 1 range of watches. To celebrate your love for Red Bull Racing, you might want to consider TAG’s F1 Red Bull Racing Special Edition.

Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas is another F1 driver that has partnered with IWC Schaffhausen. In a recent interview, Bottas stated that this partnership allowed him to learn more about watchmaking. Bottas also said that he first began collecting watches at the age of 14. For fans of Bottas, IWC may be the perfect watch brand to go with!

Yuki Tsunoda

Due to the longstanding partnership between Casio and AlphaTauri, F1 racer Yuki Tsunoda supports Casio. In fact, one of Tsunoda’s race day essentials is his faithful Casio Edifice EQB-1000AT watch. If you’re an AlphaTauri supporter, a Casio watch might be the perfect way to show off your team pride!

Conclusion

Motorsport and timekeeping have much in common. Due to this, there is a long history of partnerships between Formula 1 and different global watch brands. Of course, Rolex remains the Official Timepiece of F1, with a unique Chronograph Daytona collection to celebrate this partnership.

However, there are numerous watch brands that have sponsored drivers and teams. These partnerships have also resulted in many special edition watches. When choosing a Formula One watch to buy, fans need to consider these different partnerships and sponsorships.