40 car-inspired watches you don't need a licence for
There are a host of killer watches affiliated to all things automotive out there – from Rolex, TAG Heuer and Parmigiani Fleurier, here are our favourites
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For as long as automotive enthusiasts have gone racing (or simply driving), car-inspired watches have featured chronographs (for measuring elapsed time) often teamed with tachymeters (for measuring speed over a prescribed distance).
The ones that became famous for their wearers (hi Steve McQueen) or the races they came to epitomise (shoutout to Daytona) have long since gone on to create cults of their own. But whether you lust after a Rolex “Paul Newman” or a TAG Heuer Monaco (the inimitable square-cased chronograph), do consider the requirements for your own personal wrist appeal: some lap-timers can get large and bulky quite quickly (consigning it to your watch drawer on dressier nights out), while others will simply contain more complications (onboard gadgets, if you will) than you’ll ever justifiably need.
Better to luxuriate in the design (at which a well-executed driving watch will always excel) and consider a perforated leather strap if available for that finishing (line) touch…
1/40Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph
Some things require you to pause what you are doing, take a deep breath, and then just admire what’s in front of you. Looking at this new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph should present one of those moments. The Clou Triangulaire guilloche dial, oh wow. That knurled bezel! The integrated textured rubber strap! Never has London Grey looked so appealing (yes, we’re making a pun on the Great British weather). CHF 27,900. At parmigiani.com
2/40Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 Selfwinding Chronograph
Not literal with its car-related vibe, the deep green of the Code 11:59 chronograph is imbued with a design and symmetry that speaks to a love of speed. Powered by the in-house Calibre 4401 that offers up 70-hours of power reserve, we really dig the dynamic circular guilloche dial patterns. The rubber-coated fabric strap gives yet more go-faster flyback functionality. £31,300. At audemarspiguet.com
3/40Tudor Black Bay Chrono Pink
Ryan Gosling won’t get any plaudits for this pink number but he deserves a mention as without his Ken, Tudor surely wouldn’t have had the incentive to press go on this limited edition BB Chrono. It’s a killer function-packed chronograph with a lovely chunk of solid, Rolex-family steel and the ultra-fresh pink dial is in honour of David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF team colours. Shoutout to Jay Chou for coming up with the original design. POA. At tudorwatch.com
4/40Timex Legacy Tonneau
Timex rarely misses a beat and this remarkably affordable Legacy Tonneau chronograph certainly doesn’t. A steel 42mm ’70s-like sports watch with a 50m depth rating, it delivers everything you need in a daily beater. Legibility wise, the dial is akin to reading a newspaper from the era it was inspired by – all white broadsheets and uncomplicated black print. £220. At timex.co.uk
5/40KITH x TAG Heuer F1
It’s almost unfair to include this 35mm F1 collab – mainly because they are almost impossible to get hold of. TAG Heuer x KITH diehards among us, better get your nearest AD making some moves for you. Beyond the hype caused by the KITH Heuer motif, this delicate eggshell cream dial and black bezel is a real flashback to the ’90s when so many of us started our watch journey with one of these TAG F1s. £1,350. At tagheuer.com
6/40Seiko Speedtimer ‘Grand Touring’
Rocking a new yet vintage-feeling blueberry tachymetre bezel (don’t make us try to explain), this steel Speedtimer is one of those juicy sports watches we all could do with having in the locker. Some really on point details and finishings like the beige indices, plus the fact it works thanks to sustainable solar power make this lush grey dialled piece a great value proportion. £600. At goldsmiths.co.uk
7/40TAG Heuer F1 41mm
There is no shortage of four-wheeled racy associations at TAG Heuer, but the F1 series is more than a racy title. With close to four decades as a great everyday sports watch, the Formula 1 inhabits a rare combo. And that, peeps, is one of great looks, value, and a bullet-proof Swiss quality quartz heart. £1,250, goldsmiths.co.uk
8/40Yema x Alpine Rallygraph
Yema is a quietly spoken storied French brand that has partnered with the revamped Alpine endurance racing team. The high-tech world of racing endows this Rallygraph with the elusive air of a Gentleman Racer and a pitch-perfect rendition of a sixties chronograph. Powered by an ETA Valjoux 7754 caliber with a charming Zorro-mask dial. £1,698, yema.com
9/40Chopard x Bamford Mille Miglia GTS Power Control “Desert Racer”
This summer Chopard teamed up again with petrol head George Bamford and released a brash desert racing version of their Mille Miglia Chronometer. Having survived the Norra 1000 desert rally on George’s wrist sets the bar pretty high for your own exploits. Set your racing goals with this orange-popping 43mm titanium wrist inspiration. £9,380, chopard.com
10/40TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche RS2.7
There’s a striking red Porsche link here that we’re all about, framed in a pink gold TAG Heuer case. This is the first time the storied Carrera logo on the dial has Porsches own sweeping font, and it’s a scorcher. With pink gold details to match the solid 5N gold case, the clean dial is beset with brazen red details making this 42mm sports watch the freshest Carrera we’ve seen in ages (and that includes the Porsches). £21,000, tagheuer.com
11/40Speedmaster Racing Co-Axial Chronograph
The raison d’être of the Omega Speedmaster was racing, and the wrist of a racer before its blast-off into superstardom with the Moon landing. The larger brother of the Moonwatch, coming in a 44.25mm has the intense feel of a racing chronograph, with the accuracy of Omega’s METAS-certified Co-Axial movement and a rakish combo of silver-grey and pop-popping orange accents. On a soft brown leather strap, this is a superb twin-register alternative to the monochrome icon. £8,500, goldsmiths.co.uk
12/40Bremont WR-45 Williams Racing Chronograph
The Bremont Supermarine series has the aeronautical bloodline we love but within a broad-shouldered dark racing suit. We wouldn’t be exaggerating if we called it a British, stealthier alternative to the storied Rolex Daytona. Fitted with a soft alcantara strap, the muscular 43mm case is powered by the in-house modified calibre 13 ¼ BE-53AE. We’re feeling the tarmac vibe in this understated partnership with the Williams Racing F1 team. A clean-cut racing machine for the wrist. £5,795, goldsmiths.co.uk
13/40Bell & Ross A523 Alpine F1
Where Yema earlier in this story has a tie-in to the Alpine Endurance Racing team, the Bell & Ross A523 has a tech-forward look and is made in association with the French Alpine F1 team. The sleek case and integrated bracelet of the BR05 have been beefed up to 42mm, with a touch of French Racing blue and an Alpine A on the seconds hand. French racing chic for £6,600, bellross.com
14/40TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Indy 500 Limited Edition
Through a striking gold script at 10 o’clock on the bezel, the connection with the Brickyard is set, marking a partnership that has its 20-year anniversary next year. The grainy texture of a tarmac-like dial plays host to bold numerals and the elegant touch of gold and red details. It might seem beefy at 43mm, but it wears its broad-shouldered look with ease. £2,200, goldsmiths.co.uk
15/40Big Bang Unico red ceramic
This brazen Big Bang Unico does not have an official association with cars but we feel the vibe, and it’s loud. Not content with the odd pop of red, the Hublot lab has come up with a pure red ceramic watch case. The fire is accented by a deep black mid-case and controls, giving us a proper hyper-car vibe. It happens to be a rather good chronograph to boot, with an in-house movement powering the charming beast. £34,400, goldsmiths.co.uk
16/40Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit
From a racy-red loud wrist presence, we enter the sublime world of Laurent Ferrier, where the racing clues are understated even at 44mm. The rich salmon-pink tone of the racing-grail watch of this story is inspired by the dawn sunrise over the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans. It might sound like recollecting a lucid dream, but the backstory is real. While being a watchmaker at Patek Philippe, Laurent Ferrier’s had a 1979 podium finish at Le Mans under his belt. His years of grueling endurance racing in Porsches aces this list for real-world inspiration. As befits the quietly spoken titanium Grand Sport, the twirl of a boastful Tourbillon is reserved for the wearer, hidden from view within an exquisite, 80-hour Manufacture movement. Traditional finishing embellishes the LF619.01 calibre, built with the exact and impeachable tolerances of the racing cars that inspired it. CHF 175,000 ex. taxes. Made to order at Laurent Ferrier
17/40Breitling Top Time x Deus
Breitling is a proud partner of the Wheels and Waves festival in Biarritz so for true fans of the brand, this Top Time x Deus collab comes as a pleasant but not altogether unexpected surprise. In true Georges Kern fashion, he's entrusted an Australian motorcycle and surf lifestyle brand to have poetic licence over an icon, and duly reaped the rewards with this sporty beauty. A true tribute to the nomad spirit, this 41mm sky-blue chrono is the pick of the bunch, with 2,000 available. £4,950, breitling.com
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18/40Zenith Defy Extreme E Island x Prix
Zenith cements its partnership with the rapid rise of electric off-road championship Extreme E by unveiling the Defy Extreme Chronograph. This big bruiser of a sports watch is remarkably light through a robust, angular carbon fibre case that boasts titanium elements. Echoing the environmental focus of the Extreme E series, the satsuma orange Velcro strap is made from recycled tyres, picking up on an orange-infused dial. The high-tech beast is powered by its 1/100th second high-frequency El Primero 21 calibre. £POA, zenith-watches.com
19/40TAG Heuer x Carrera
Car brand collaborations are a mixed bag, but TAG Heuer hits all the right notes with some surprising firsts. This is not the first Porsche collab, but the first directly linking the Carrera chronograph with its Porsche namesake. This long-awaited link is shown through the studied finesse of CEO Frédéric Arnault’s design team, in Porsche colours. The crisp blue and white combo is equally at home with your summer fit as on an alpine jaunt to St.Moritz. £POA, tagheuer.com
20/40Bamford London x Land Rover
George Bamford has had a proliferate output of collaborations this year. This time we are treated to a futurist view of horology with the new LR001. This is a smooth vision in titanium designed by the Land Rover team, and a bold statement. With its spare cut-out dial and rounded loop lugs, there is no mistaking the single fresh touch of Bamford Blue at 6 o’clock. The LR002 has recently been released: the wrist of the future might be here, and it’s an understated, strong British design. £1,350, bamfordlondon.com
21/40Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Huracán Sterrato Monobalancier
The Spider Huracán is technologically every bit as extreme as its inspirational namesake Lamborghini, and equally baffling in its modular construction. It defies categorisation, but consider it a hyper-sports watch, with the RD630 caliber deserving equal attention as the skeletonised dial. Only 28 pieces of this 45mm carbon-cased Excalibur will be made, its red and orange accents as eye-catching as the deep architecture of the dial. $70,000, rogerdubuis.com
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22/40Reservoir Kanister Silver
Reservoir is French chic with a Swiss heart, and its dial emanates speed. Inspired by the fifties backroads hero Porsche 356 Speedster, the bespoke RSV-240 caliber has a twist. The crisp white dial is a Porsche RPM counter, with a jump-hour complication and a 60-minute retrograde hand. Yes, that power reserve gauge does look exactly like a petrol gauge. Nothing is left to chance, and we’re almost expecting the high-revving sound of a flat-six engine. £4,200, reservoir-watch.com
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23/40Nezumi Voiture Chronograph
With its dark demeanour and monochrome graphics, the Voiture is the brainchild of vintage Porsche enthusiast David Campo. It emanates the petrol fumes of Le Mans or the Daytona 500, Carrera sunglasses, and beige slacks. On a perforated black rally strap, it has all the right 70s clues including Zorro-mask dial graphics and the essential second-hand colour pop. The Voiture comes in a limited mechanical version, but we’re all for the reliability and slim fit of this meca-quartz version. €296, nezumistudios.com
24/40IWC x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Pilot’s Watch Chronograph
We know that fresh turquoise colour looks similar to a certain hyped-up Patek, but this IWC is motorsports royalty rather than slim wrist jewellery. It’s a fitting tribute to Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team's eight successive F1 championships – surely an unbeatable record. It is also the freshest version we’ve ever seen of the storied Pilot’s range from IWC, and the sweet-fit new 41mm case looks killer on the matching EasX-CHANGE® rubber strap. 8,600 CHF, IWC.com
25/40TAG Heuer Monaco
Car watches don't get any more iconic than TAG Heuer's Monaco. This timepiece is arguably its maker's definitive creation, both for its striking square-dialled design and its cinematic legacy having been worn with effervescent cool by Steven McQueen in 1971's Le Mans. In the half-century since its introduction, the Monaco has endured much in the same way as the opulent Grand Prix it was inspired by. Now powered by TAG Heuer's in-house Heuer 02 movement, it's a chronograph with the technical chops to match up with any would-be rival listed here. And if that's not enough to convince you of its pedigree, then know it was the Monaco that Breaking Bad's Walter White strapped on when taking names and knocking down doors. Legendary for all the right reasons. £6,500, goldsmiths.co.uk
26/40Seiko Watch Prospex Speedtimer Chronograph Solar 1969 Recreation
Kudos to Seiko for nabbing the Speedtimer tag, as the name says it all. This Seiko series is one of the most evocative chronographs to emanate from Japan and is a veritable triple threat. Not convinced by the microbrand-worthy price and an accurate Solar driven movement? There's no way you'll fail to be smitten by the tan dial on this svelte 39mm sports watch – it's absolutely to dial to die for. With '70s panache and a rich champagne tone, this one will suit up very nicely indeed. £590, jurawatches.co.uk
27/40Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in Oystersteel
Near impossible to buy new without joining an ever-increasing waiting list, Rolex’s highly prized chronograph, named for the Daytona International Speedway, has been seen on many a famous wrist, including actor-turned-driver Paul Newman. In 2016, the watch was given its most recent redesign bringing in a ceramic bezel featuring an engraved tachymeter scale. The 40mm steel case houses either a black or white dial with hour, minute and seconds hands from the centre, plus chronograph sub-dials comprising small seconds at six o’clock, 30-minute counter at three and 12-hour counter at nine. £11,600, rolex.com
28/40Tissot PRX
This sleek quartz-powered Tissot is car-inspired, albeit in a more lateral sense. The raging success of the PRX is rooted in the fact that it invokes the glamour of the '70s, and so this sleek Swiss piece of wrist jewellery brings with it connotations of garishly-coloured convertibles and balmy evenings on the Côte d’Azur. Marry this with the Lamborghini Countach (with brown leather seats, naturally) and a beige linen suit, to perfect the louche, retro vibe. £320, jurawatches.co.uk
29/40Breitling Top Time Ford Mustang Stainless Steel
Boy did we rejoice when Breitling revived its Top Time collection back in 2020 with the first of a series of limited-edition offerings. As much as we adored that debut model with its Zorro mask panda dial that recalled Sean Connery's ‘60s Bond watch, we’re equally taken with the automotive-indebted follow-ups that have cemented this same iconography for the modern-day. Most recently, Breitling has created a range of Top Time's inspired by such hallowed vehicles as the Shelby Cobra and Chevrolet Corvette. Our favourite? This emerald green homage to the Ford Mustang. £4,950, goldsmiths.co.uk
30/40Richard Mille RM 029 Le Mans Classic
Richard Mille might not be a household name, though his large but featherweight creations will be recognizable from the wrists of F1 drivers and Nadal. With a flash of carbon composite green and orange on a white rubber strap, this RM029 begs to be used in a very fast car, on a baking hot track, while you’re wearing all manner of crash-protective gear. Anything else would be faking it. £POA. At richardmille.com
31/40Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer Flyback
In 2018, Porsche Design launched its chronometer-certified flyback chronograph movement Werk 01.200, inspired by the Porsche 911. Following the mission statement of the man behind the 911, professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, that “Design must be honest,” the 1919 Chronotimer Flyback Blue & Leather aims for perfect legibility with a large, open dial, Arabic numerals and hour markers coated in Super-Luminova. Its titanium case is lighter and stronger than stainless steel, as well as resistant to UV light, heat, salt water and magnetism. £5,600, porsche-design.com
32/40G-Shock GD-100MS-3ER
If you drive a weather-hardened Jeep, a haggard old Land Rover, or a be-snorkelled Land Cruiser you’ll no doubt appreciate the G-Shock aesthetic. Adorned in khaki green, this ultralight watch was made to drag its owner off of the sofa and into the great outdoors – preferably by way of a hulking great motor. Each and every one of its many functions underline this raison d'être, cementing its status as a hardy, wilderness survival tool that offers immense value for money. £100, jurawatches.co.uk
33/40TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche
With a nod to the racing colours of Porsche, while embracing the common racing history of the two brands, the tarmac texture of the dial says it all. A Porsche logo and red details adorn this unashamedly big 44mm Chronograph, while you can choose between a Porsche seat double stitch leather or an angular bracelet for its strap. Be warned, the Carrera Porsche Chronograph requires a certain amount of restraint from its owner – you'll feel a constant urge to put your pedal to the floor wearing the thing. £6,000, goldsmiths.co.uk
34/40Zenith Chronomaster Sport
We have a serious suspicion that the Chronomaster Sport smashed every Zenith sales prediction graph last year having established itself as a proper alternative to the Rolex Daytona. Since Zenith used to supply the movement for Rolex's most unobtainable timepiece, the Chronomaster is the perfect blend of modern lines and deep history. In an angular-tough sports watch case you'll find the tri-colour registers of the El Primero, while a broad ceramic bezel frames the silver-white scene with a rakish elegance. Absolute class. £9,700, goldsmiths.co.uk
35/40IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41mm
IWC might be known for its pilot’s watches, but racing is certainly evoked in the smaller 41mm case of this IWC Chronograph. Try it on with the soft nature of the five-linked steel bracelet for comfort, and you might just fall for a piece that represents utilitarian German functional legibility. The deep blue sunray dial with a charming pop of red in the small seconds register at six is simply crisp with a capital ‘C’. £6,650, goldsmiths.co.uk
36/40Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto
For us, the Sport Auto is as refined as it is bold, and just as worthy of grail status as Patek Phillipe's Nautilus. The watch was inspired by the success of Laurent Ferrier himself at Le Mans in the '70s, where he beat Paul Newman to the podium in a Porsche. Light green lume within the elongated indices makes for a suitably fresh dial coupled with the Assegai hands. Try it on at your peril, this is the most eloquently fashioned grade five titanium case in the business. 46,000 CHF, laurentferrier.ch
37/40Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
As car-inspired watches go, the Historiques Americain 1921 is a top tier originator of the genre. The jaunty 45-degree angle might seem confusing at first, but is there for a reason. If you’re a methodical motorist you’ll keep your hands at ten to two, and it’ll all make sense. As for the combination of the white gold case, liquorice-like lacquered numerals and Serapian strap? It's all utterly sublime. £38,900, vacheron-constantin.com
38/40Girard Perregaux Laureato Aston Martin
As a pure luxury chronograph, the diamond check of this vibrant dial gives it a contemporary edge. Naturally, Aston Martin Green screams ‘motorsport’ like few other shades, while the black skeletonized hands give the Laureato a tougher edge. Housed within a sleek, brushed case with the manufacture calibre GP03300, this watch represents racing royalty with elegance and distinction. £16,500, girard-perregaux.com
39/40Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic
A long-time partner of the Austin Healey Club, Frederique Constant has made several limited-edition watches that pay homage to the classic British sports car manufacture. This latest self-winding chronograph model was made to celebrate the brand’s sponsorship of the 2018 European Healey Meeting – an international event held every four years. Inspired by the style and elegance of 1960s automobiles, the 42mm stainless-steel case houses a deep-green dial with white chronograph counters, silver-toned applied indexes and hour and minute hands, plus red chronograph hands. The watch is presented on a green leather racing strap. £2,595, watchshop.com
40/40Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control
A partner of the Mille Miglia Italian road race for 32 years, in 2019 Chopard launched the limited-edition GTS Power Control inspired by the world of classic cars. Just 500 examples were made of the 43mm, all-steel model (also available in a two-tone version), which has a COSC-certified, automatic movement. The dial, aluminium bezel and perforated calfskin strap are in a deep blue colour, more commonly seen on race cars of the mid-20th century. Vintage racing cues include a power reserve resembling the indicator of a fuel gauge, a date window in the form of the Mille Miglia logo and a sapphire crystal caseback inscribed with the race route “Brescia-Rome-Brescia”. £4,625, goldsmiths.co.uk
