Formula 1 is back for 2023, and with only two rounds down and another 21 to go there’s still a long way for both drivers and teams to fight it out for the championship.
As part of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, we decided to take a look at the watch brands associated with each F1 team.
Watches have always been linked to motorsport. Before digital stopwatches and automated timing, races were timed on chronographs. And some of the most famous chronographs we have today, like the Rolex Daytona, the TAG Heuer Carrera, or the TAG Heuer Monaco have their roots in motorsports.
It’s no surprise plenty of major watch brands form major sponsors with a sport like Formula One.
Red Bull Racing 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 Championship, and the Red Bull team is eyeing off back-to-back Constructors’ Championships after pipping Ferrari in 2022, and being edged out by Mercedes in 2021.
Sergio Perez is currently in second place and looks to be on form this year as well, so there is hope of some inter-team rivalry here for the driver’s championship as well.
TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer has had a long-standing relationship with Red Bull Racing, and even has a collaboration with the team on the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Red Bull Racing Chronograph.
These days, you’ll see Christian Horner commonly sporting either an Autavia Flyback Chronograph, or more recently, what looks to be the 60th Anniversary Carrera Chronograph.
Ferrari and Richard Mille
Ferrari has long been the favourite team in F1 and it has a dedicated fan base in the Tifosi.
However, it’s been a while since it was at the top, after a tumultuous 2022 season consisting of too many mistakes on and off the track.
Hopefully, with new team principal Frederic Vasseur in addition to Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s driving ability, we may see it return to its former glory.
Richard Mille
Richard Mille is at the cutting edge of horological technology, with sports often at the centre of its timepieces, so it’s not surprising it has teamed up with Ferrari.
A Richard Mille can be seen on the wrists of both Charles Leclerc (often seen wearing a version of this RM 67-02) and Carlos Sainz, not to mention half the crew!
Mercedes AMG Petronas and IWC
Mercedes was a modern force in F1 up until the updated regulations last year that saw the team plagued with performance issues. It seems that this year, it has still not ironed out their kinks – at least for now.
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
IWC may not seem the natural pick to partner up with an F1 team, given it’s a brand known for pilot watches, however, the partnerships extend from F1 and into Mercedes-Benz road vehicles as well.
IWC has done a lot with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team over the past few years, like a collaboration on the watch featured here.
Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux
Aston Martin is one of the longest-lasting super sports car manufacturers in the world, and while its form in Formula 1 has come and gone, its current status is showing it might have an excellent 2023.
Girard-Perregaux
Like IWC, Girard-Perregaux has taken its F1 association even further, with collaborations with the Aston Martin F1 team on the Laureato Absolute Chronograph F1 Edition, as well as the parent Aston Martin brand, like the new 42mm Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition.
The green is striking, and absolutely beautiful in ceramic. When watching the F1, you can’t help but notice these pieces on the wrists of the drivers and wider 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 successful and iconic brands in racing, the current state of McLaren’s Formula 1 team is a poor reflection of the years gone by.
Nonetheless, it hopefully has a bright future with plenty of changes taking place at the team.
Richard Mille
It’s unusual for a brand to sponsor two teams and for the teams to accept sponsorship from the same brand, but Richard Mille has done just this. Having deals with both McLaren and Ferrari makes it somewhat unique in this space.
In order to not play favourites, they’ve equipped the McLaren team with its famous RM67-02 watches as well. And yes, that is the same watch that Lando got mugged for last year!
Williams and Bremont
The Williams F1 team appears to be shedding its ‘back-marker’ status for 2023 and coming on strong with a decent chassis and engine combination, and Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant at the wheel.
Bremont
Bremont Chronometres is a British brand started by brothers Giles and Nick English, known for its reliability.
It supplies the British military, so the watches need to work. Its association with Williams makes sense as it’s one high-precision British brand aligned to another. The pair 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 Sargeant a lot this year as the team fights to move up the constructor’s ladder.
Alfa Romeo and Rebellion
Originally the Sauber F1 Team, Alfa Romeo is five years into its current incarnation as Alfa Romeo, and has had some mixed results over the past few years. It is home to rookie Zhou Guanyu, and veteran Valtteri Bottas.
Rebellion Timepieces
Rebellion Timepieces is a small independent brand based in Switzerland that builds timepieces with an automotive and machine inspiration. They are part Richard Mille, part MB&F and part Hublot.
The partnership with Alfa Romeo F1 is a good fit given its roots (albeit only 14 years ago), and it has two pieces designed specifically for Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu – the Re-Volt C43 (pictured). They even have small parts from the Alfa Romeo F1 car on each pieces side!
Alpine and Bell & Ross
Alpine, formerly Renault, are contenders this year after finishing fourth last year.
Having lost Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin, but picked up Pierre Gasly to join Esteban Ocon and team principal in Otmar Szafnauer, Alpine has a decent chance of challenging for a few podiums this year.
Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross is known for the instrument watches, originally designed based on the cockpit instruments of planes and for specific purposes. Nowadays, they are perfectly suited for F1 drivers, piloting their machines around the track at 320km/h.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-94 A521 was designed specifically for the Alpine F1 team, and with timing in mind. The Alpine blue is reflected in the dial and materials have been used that were tested on the F1 cars themselves.
Thanks to our friends at WatchAdvice for help with this article.
