Formula 1 will return in 2023, and with just two more rounds and 21 more to go, there is still a long way to go for both drivers and teams to compete for the title.
As part of this weekend Australian Grand Prix in Melbournewe decided to look at the watch brands associated with each of the F1 groups.
Watches have always been associated with motorsport. Before digital chronographs and automatic timing, races were timed on chronographs. And some of the most famous chronographs we have today, like the Rolex Daytona, TAG Heuer Carrera or TAG Heuer Monaco all have their roots in motorsport.
It’s no surprise that many major watch brands establish key sponsors for a sport like Formula One.
Race Red Bull and TAG Heuer
Red Bull is the current king of the paddock, led by Christian Horner as Team Principal.
Max Verstappen is looking for his third consecutive Driver’s title and the Red Bull team is eyeing the Back-to-back Constructors Championship after overtaking Ferrari in 2022 and being knocked out by Mercedes in 2021.
Sergio Perez is currently in second place and looks to be keeping his form this year as well, so there is hope of some cross-team rivalry here for the drivers’ championship.
TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer has had a long relationship with Red Bull Racing and even partnered with the team on the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Red Bull Racing Chronograph.
These days, you’ll often find Christian Horner wearing an Autavia Flyback Chronograph, or more recently, what appears to be a 60th Anniversary Carrera Chronograph.
Ferrari and Richard Mille
Ferrari has long been the most beloved team in F1 and it has a fan base of its own being Tifosi.
However, it’s been a while since it’s at the top, after a tumultuous 2022 season with so many mistakes on and off the track.
Hopefully with the new principal Frederic Vasseur along with the driving abilities of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, we can see it return to its former glory.
Richard Mille
Richard Mille is at the forefront of watchmaking technology, with sports often at the heart of watchmaking, so it’s no surprise that it’s partnering with Ferrari.
A Richard Mille can be seen on the wrist of both Charles Leclerc (often seen wearing this version RM 67-02) and Carlos Sainz, not to mention half the crew!
Mercedes AMG Petronas and IWC
Mercedes was a modern force in F1 until updated regulations last year left the team with performance issues. It looks like this year, it hasn’t solved their problems – at least for now.
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
IWC does not seem to be the natural choice to partner with the F1 team, as it is a brand known for pilot watches, however, this partnership extends from F1 and also to vehicles. Mercedes-Benz road.
IWC has done a lot with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team over the past few years, such as the collaboration on the outstanding watch This.
Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux
Aston Martin is one of the oldest manufacturers of super sports cars in the world, and although its form in Formula 1 has come and gone, its current status suggests it could have a 2023. excellent.
Girard-Perregaux
Like IWC, Girard-Perregaux has taken its F1 association even further, with a partnership with the Aston Martin F1 team on Laureato Absolute Chronograph F1 Editionas well as the parent brand Aston Martin, like new Aston Martin Laureato Blue Ceramic Edition 42mm.
The green is very striking and beautiful all in ceramic. When watching F1, you can’t help but notice these items on the wrists of the racers and more broadly the team, especially the Laureato Chronograph F1 Edition!
McLaren and Richard Mille
McLaren’s history in Formula 1 needs no introduction. As one of the most iconic and successful brands in racing, the current state of McLaren’s Formula 1 team is a dire reflection of years gone by.
However, it hopes to have a bright future with many changes taking place in the team.
Richard Mille
It’s unusual for one brand to sponsor two teams and the teams accept sponsorship from the same brand, but Richard Mille has done it. Having deals with both McLaren and Ferrari makes it unique in this space.
In order not to play the favorites, they equipped the McLaren team RM67-02 the clock is good. And yes, that’s the same watch that Lando stole last year!
Williams and Bremont
The Williams F1 team seems to be shedding its ‘weakness’ status for 2023 and going strong with a good engine and chassis combination, with Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant at the helm.
Bremont
Bremont Chronometres is a British brand founded by brothers Giles and Nick English, known for its reliability.
It supplies the British military, so the watch needs to work. Its association with Williams makes sense as it is a precision British brand that matches another. The couple recently released their first watch as part of their partnership, the Bremont RW-22 .
You’ll see this model strapped to the wrists of Albon and Sergeant a lot this year as the team fights to move up the constructor ladder.
Alfa Romeo and the Rebellion
Originally the Sauber F1 Team, Alfa Romeo has been five years from now as Alfa Romeo and has had some mixed results over the past few years. This is the home ground of rookie Zhou Guanyu, and old general Valtteri Bottas.
Rebel Clock
Rebellion Timepieces is a small independent Swiss-based brand that specializes in making timepieces inspired by cars and machines. They are part Richard Mille, part MB&F and part Hublot.
The partnership with Alfa Romeo F1 is very much in line with its roots (although it was only 14 years ago) and it features two pieces designed specifically for Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu – Re-Volt C43 (image). They even have small parts from the Alfa Romeo F1 car on each side!
Alpine and Bell & Ross
Alpine, formerly Renault, is this year’s contender after finishing fourth last year.
Having lost Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin, but having brought Pierre Gasly to join Esteban Ocon and team principal Otmar Szafnauer, Alpine has a chance to challenge a few podiums this year.
Bells & Ross
Bell & Ross is known for its wristwatches, which were originally designed based on aircraft cockpit instruments and intended for specific purposes. Today, they are perfectly suited to F1 drivers, driving their machines around the track at 320 km/h.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-94 A521 was designed specifically for the Alpine F1 team and has time in mind. Alpine blue is reflected on the dial and the materials used have been tested on the F1 cars themselves.
Thank you to our friends at WatchAdvice for help with this article.
