Formula 1 Drivers & Their Watches: Precision on and off the Track

Speed, precision, and luxury converge where Formula 1 meets haute horlogerie. In this rarified world where milliseconds determine victory and defeat, timepieces become far more than mere accessories—they are extensions of racing identity, technological passion, and mechanical artistry. The marriage between motorsport and watchmaking runs deeper than sponsorship dollars; it represents a shared obsession with engineering excellence and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

For Formula 1 drivers, wearing the right watch isn’t about telling time—it’s about embodying the values that define champions. Whether it’s Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Richard Mille’s ultralight Ferrari creations or Max Verstappen’s loyalty to TAG Heuer’s racing heritage, these partnerships reflect a symbiotic relationship where every split-second counts, both on the track and on the wrist.

The Natural Partnership – Timing and Technology

The connection between motorsport and horology traces back to the very DNA of both industries. Racing and watchmaking share an unwavering commitment to precision engineering, where the margin between triumph and failure often measures in fractions of a second.

This synergy isn’t coincidental. Early chronographs were specifically developed for race timing, with TAG Heuer’s legendary Carrera and Monaco collections born from the demands of circuit competition. The brand’s involvement in Formula 1 dates to 1969, when it became the first luxury brand to appear on an F1 car, fundamentally changing how we perceive the intersection of sport and luxury.

Modern F1 partnerships now push material boundaries that mirror automotive innovation. Carbon fiber, titanium, and ceramic—materials that define contemporary F1 construction—have become the foundation of racing timepieces. The stopwatch and steering wheel share a singular philosophy: master time to master victory.

Lewis Hamilton × Richard Mille – The Ultimate Racing Machine

Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 move to Ferrari brought more than just a new car—it ushered in a complete horological transformation. After more than a decade with IWC, the seven-time world champion now represents Richard Mille’s cutting-edge approach to racing timepieces.

The New Chapter

Hamilton’s transition from IWC’s aviation-inspired elegance to Richard Mille’s radical engineering philosophy represents one of the most significant driver-watch partnerships in recent F1 history. His current rotation includes the RM 67-02 “Italy” edition—a carbon-cased masterpiece celebrating Italian racing heritage with the tricolore flag’s distinctive colors.

The pièce de résistance is the RM 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph, a $1.3 million marvel that embodies the marriage of horology and motorsport. Limited to just 75 pieces per version, this timepiece represents two and a half years of intensive collaboration between Richard Mille and Ferrari engineers.

Hamilton’s Richard Mille collection reflects his evolution as both driver and style icon. Each piece fuses mechanical innovation with bold aesthetics, perfectly capturing his transition from Mercedes’ refined sophistication to Ferrari’s passionate intensity.

Max Verstappen × TAG Heuer – The Modern Champion

The reigning world champion’s partnership with TAG Heuer represents more than brand alignment—it embodies the spirit of racing heritage meeting contemporary dominance. Red Bull Racing’s eight-year alliance with the Swiss maison has produced some of the most compelling racing timepieces of the modern era.

Iconic Pieces

Verstappen’s signature timepiece, the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Skeleton in Red Bull colors, pays homage to Steve McQueen’s legendary square-cased Monaco while embracing 21st-century innovation. The skeletonized dial reveals the intricate mechanical ballet within, much like the exposed engineering of an F1 car.

The brand’s newly redesigned Formula 1 collection, launched alongside TAG Heuer’s return as F1’s Official Timekeeper in 2025, represents the pinnacle of racing-inspired horology. These pieces embody TAG Heuer’s “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” philosophy—a motto that perfectly encapsulates Verstappen’s mental fortitude and racing dominance.

Verstappen’s understanding of time’s significance extends beyond the track. “Time is very important for a driver, whether on and off track,” he explains. “We’re always fighting for tenths of a second, and we live by a strict schedule in Formula 1”.

Charles Leclerc × Richard Mille – Mechanical Purity

Charles Leclerc’s relationship with Richard Mille transcends typical sponsorship—it represents a meeting of mechanical minds obsessed with performance and innovation. The Monégasque driver’s timepieces are literally engineered to withstand the extreme conditions of Grand Prix racing.

The Philosophy

Richard Mille creates “racing machines for the wrist,” and nowhere is this philosophy better demonstrated than in Leclerc’s collection. These watches aren’t merely worn during press conferences—they’re designed to perform during actual races, engineered from titanium, graphene, and carbon TPT materials that are ultra-light yet virtually indestructible.

Key Model

The RM 72-01 “Charles Leclerc” edition represents the latest evolution in this partnership. Weighing just 32 grams and featuring a white Quartz TPT case with red stripes honoring the Monaco flag, this $330,000 masterpiece embodies both national pride and technical innovation.

The watch’s flyback chronograph powered by the CRMC-1 caliber delivers a 50-hour power reserve while maintaining perfect accuracy under extreme G-forces. Limited to 150 pieces, each timepiece represents Richard Mille’s commitment to creating watches that perform as flawlessly as Ferrari’s engines.

A Tour of the Paddock – Other Key Partnerships

The 2025 Formula 1 grid showcases an unprecedented diversity of horological partnerships, each reflecting the unique character of their respective teams.

TAG Heuer – Official Timekeeper: In a seismic shift for 2025, TAG Heuer has replaced Rolex as Formula 1’s Official Timekeeper, part of LVMH’s $100 million annual, decade-long partnership with the sport. This return marks TAG Heuer’s renewed commitment to F1’s timing precision and global reach.

IWC × Mercedes-AMG Petronas: Despite Hamilton’s departure, IWC continues its longest-running partnership in current F1, now focusing on young talents like Andrea Antonelli and the experienced George Russell. The collaboration has already produced the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff × Mercedes, celebrating the Austrian team principal.

Girard-Perregaux × Aston Martin: The Swiss manufacture’s partnership with the British marque produces stunning pieces like the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition, featuring an iridescent green dial achieved through 15 ultra-thin paint layers. This collaboration perfectly captures Aston Martin’s racing green heritage in horological form.

H. Moser & Cie × Alpine: The Alpine drivers sport the Streamliner Alpine Edition, a bold futuristic timepiece featuring skeletonized dials with signature Alpine blue highlights. Priced at $50,000, this limited edition celebrates innovation and precision engineering—core values shared by both brands.

Conclusion

Formula 1 and haute horlogerie share identical DNA: precision engineering, relentless innovation, and an unwavering passion for performance. From Hamilton’s revolutionary Richard Milles to Verstappen’s heritage TAG Heuers and Leclerc’s ultra-light racing machines, each timepiece reflects not only the spirit of its wearer but the performance ethos of motorsport itself.

In 2025, as TAG Heuer reclaims its position as F1’s Official Timekeeper and partnerships evolve with driver transfers, these collaborations continue proving that excellence in timekeeping translates directly to victory on track. The marriage between racing and horology represents more than sponsorship—it embodies a shared pursuit of mechanical perfection where mastering seconds separates legends from the field.

Whether measured in lap times or movement frequencies, both worlds understand that in the pursuit of greatness, every fraction matters. These timepieces serve as constant reminders that precision, innovation, and uncompromising quality remain the ultimate measures of success, both on the wrist and at the finish line.