Car racing and watches - a perfect duo.
When a sport is so closely tied to precise timing, where thousandths of a second separate competitors, it's no surprise that it is closely linked with watch sponsorship. However, for those who love both racing and watches, this connection is deeper than just superficial advertising. They share a need for absolute precision, whether it's engineering or driving. The pinnacles of auto racing and horology are also undeniable status symbols, whether it's vintage Heuer Autavia strapped to the wrist of a Singer Porsche enthusiast in a cardigan or a Hollywood celebrity appearing at the grid with the latest Richard Mille in carbon composite. The watches featured in this list are both, including thoroughbred racing representatives and new or unexpected contenders.
Baltic Tricompax
While Baltic may not have the racing pedigree of other participants, Etienne Malec makes every effort to ensure it doesn't matter. And he succeeds. Besides being a surprisingly measured model from the 1970s, the Baltic Tricompax has become the official watch of Tour Auto for the second consecutive year. It's another example of how historic rallies are revived, giving petrolheads like the people at Baltic a reason to gather and drive iconic cars. If you're not ready to purchase a vintage chronograph but want the same look and assurance that it was created by true racing enthusiasts, consider the Tricompax based on Sellita.
- Price: 2,990 Australian dollars
Omega Speedmaster Racing
It's arguable that the Omega Speedmaster is the most iconic watch ever created. Whether you agree with this opinion or not, it doesn't change the fact that these watches can be included in so many 'best of the best' lists, it's not even funny. However, for the best racing watches list, I chose a different Speedy variant. The Omega Speedmaster Racing, specifically the two versions for Michael Schumacher released in 1996, embody the racing spirit as much as possible in a watch.
The watches were delivered in a Formula 1 wheel-shaped box and released at the karting track where young Schumacher began his career. It was an era when Omega was fully committed to Formula 1: Speedmaster variants adorned the wrists of Michael's brother, Ralf, as well. The Speedmaster Racing movement was shared with the Speedy Reduced model, equipped with the Omega 1141 movement - a base ETA 2892 with a Dubois Dépraz chronograph module.
- Price: ~ 3,000 USD (secondary market)
TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11
One of the participants in the three-horse race to create the first self-winding chronograph was the very movement that powered the first Heuer Monaco watches. The Heuer-Léonidas, Breitling, Hamilton-Büren, and Dépraz & Co joint venture led to the creation of the Chronomatic, or Calibre 11, as it's known at TAG Heuer. Dépraz created the chronograph, and Büren - a modified caliber with a micro-rotor as the base, which unfortunately is no longer found in modern versions. But how does this relate to racing? Just a few years later, the Monaco watches made racing history: Reference 1133B appeared on Steve McQueen's wrist in the film "Le Mans," inspired by then Heuer ambassador Jo Siffert. The rest, as they say, is history - just don't forget to choose the Monaco with Calibre 11 to enjoy the nostalgia of opposite crown and pushers.
- Price: 8,100 USD
Chopard Mille Miglia
Auto racing is often reduced to a few categories, and curiously, the same can be said of watches. With the brand's recent focus on Alpine Eagle and L.U.C models, Mille Miglia by Chopard may not have received the love it deserves. Named after the iconic endurance road race, Chopard has been sponsoring its revival since 1988, with Karl-Friedrich Scheufele regularly participating, most recently driving a Mercedes 300 SL alongside Formula 1 legend Jacky Ickx. Despite special editions released for each leg of the race, the standard Lucent Steel models are more versatile with a 40.5mm case and regular availability. The watches are equipped with a COSC-certified ETA A322-11 movement.
- Price: 9,140 USD
Universal Genève Compax Nina Rindt
If you read about the Baltic Tricompax and thought: "No, I want something older, rarer, more expensive, but iconic," then the Universal Genève Nina Rindt is your only option. This UG Compax model is named after its most famous owner, Nina Rindt, who wore the chronograph with a white dial on a large strap. Whether she used it to time her husband's laps or not doesn't matter. It's known that the best watches have the best nicknames, and a watch named after a supermodel and iconic Formula 1 pit lane participant must be worthy.
- Price: ~ 25,000 USD (secondary market)
Rolex Daytona Le Mans
You knew the Rolex Daytona would make this list, and it would be logical to include probably the most talked-about Daytona model recently. The Le Mans model is special for two reasons: it was released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic race, and it also references the original Daytona name. Before the watches were named after the Florida city, they were advertised as Le Mans. Even before 1965, when the name Daytona first appeared on the dial, the watches were known in the racing world, but their popularity skyrocketed in the last decade.
The Daytona Le Mans combines the coveted "exotic" dials or Paul Newman dials, which have become an essential part of any watch auction these days, with the most modern white gold Daytona case. The caliber 4131, presented at the exhibition, features a rare additional sub-dial counting up to 24 hours, so you can easily time the entire race. The watches have been discontinued and replaced with a yellow gold variant, but the buzz created by the Daytona Le Mans allows it to take a worthy place on this list.
- Price: 51,400 USD (RRP), ~ 300,000 USD (secondary market)
Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit
A non-chronograph in a list of the best racing watches? Blasphemy - especially considering it lacks a racing pedigree. Or does it? Those familiar with Laurent Ferrier (if not, welcome) and car racing might remember that while working at Patek Philippe, the watchmaker also participated in Le Mans, winning the class in 1978 in a Group 6 Chevron B36 and placing third overall in 1979 driving a Kremer Porsche 935. So, when it came time for Ferrier to create a sports watch, what better inspiration than his Le Mans participation, especially considering the 1979 podium he shared with co-founder François Servanin? The integrated bracelet matches the Grade 5 titanium case, the pink gradient dial is painted in the color of the sunrise over the Mulsanne track, and the reverse is adorned with darkened beveled bridges and a tourbillon caliber with a double balance spring.
- Price: 175,000 Swiss Francs