The Watches Of Formula 1: A Series Of Drivers and Their Watches – Part One
Formula 1 brings about an air of luxury and style amongst the excitement of motor racing. It is not surprising then that much of the watch industry is closely entwined with the sport, and in fact many of the giant Swiss watchmakers are now sponsoring teams and drivers. Nonetheless, this article series will look at the drivers of Formula 1 and the watches they wear just in time for the new season in March 2017.
Nico Rosberg
IWC Schaffhausen is the preferred watch brand for Nico Rosberg, with the Swiss watch manufacturer sponsoring the Mercedes race team. As seen below, the 2016 champion favours the stunning IWC Portuguese Annual Calendar ref IW503504 in 18k rose gold and blue dial. This amazing watch comes with the IWC-manufactured calibre 54850 automatic winding mechanical movement, with a 7-day power reserve and a annual calendar display function located at 12 o’clock. The case is 44.2mm in 18k rose gold, and complete with sapphire glass display, and a see through sapphire glass case back. It is a worthy candidate for the watch of champions.
Lewis Hamilton
Once again, IWC Schaffhausen sponsors the Mercedes team and therefore not surprising that the 3 times world champion would sport an IWC timepiece. In this instance, Lewis Hamilton photographed his very limited edition IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun ref IW502902 in 18k yellow gold with yellow gold dial. The standard ref IW502902 watch is usually in black ceramic, however, it seems as if this particular watch has been specifically made for Lewis Hamilton.
The watch includes some extraordinary functions including a perpetual calendar display for date, day and month, a perpetual moon phase display and a double moon phases display for the northern and southern hemispheres. The watch movement – powered by the IWC calibre 51614 pellaton automatic winding mechanical movement, is simply incredible and includes a 7-day power reserve. The huge 48mm diameter case (in this instance in 18k yellow gold), is finished off with a sapphire glass display and a black alligator strap. A true stylish and iconic watch for this master of the road.
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo’s rise through Formula 1 has been incredible to watch and its not surprising that he is now at the pinnacle of the sport. He features for the Red Bull Racing team, who are officially sponsored by TAG Heuer. In this image, the Australian driver is wearing the iconic TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 17 Automatic Chronograph ref CV5111.FC6335. The watch is 41mm in polished steel with a silver and blue flange dial.
The TAG Heuer Calibre 17 movement is an automatic winding mechanical movement with a 42 hour power reserve. The watch also features a automatic chronograph, and a date window display at the 6 o’clock position. The watch is complete with double-antireflective curved scratch-resisitant sapphire crystal and a blue perforated leather strap.
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel has been a household name within the Formula 1 circuit for many years, winning titles at Red Bull Racing before moving to the Ferrari. Ferrari are sponsored by Hublot, and in fact Hublot have created a collection of watches based on the famous Italian car manufacturer. In this image, Vettel is sporting a Hublot Big Bang Unico White Ceramic 45mm ref 411.HX.1170.RX.
The watch is cased in a 45mm microblasted and polished white ceramic case and bezel, with a matt black dial with Rhodium plated counters and satin finished Rhodium plated luminescent hands, and looks simply amazing. The HUB1242 UNICO movement is a Hublot manufactured automatic self-winding mechanical movement with a chronograph function, and hold a 72 hour power reserve. The movement is the pride and soul of Hublot, with the Swiss company researching and developing the movement for no less than 4 years. The watch is finished with a black and white structured lined rubber strap with a titanium insert deployment buckle clasp.
Max Verstappen
This young Dutch driver shocked the Formula 1 world in 2015 when Red Bull decided to place him with Toro Rosso in 2015. Never had a driver been so young, and so inexperienced, lined up on the F1 grid. However, Verstappen has certainly proved his right to be amongst the best in the sport, coming 5th in the 2016 championship for Red Bull Racing. The team is sponsored by TAG Heuer and therefore is seen often with a TAG Heuer watch.
In this instance, Verstappen is showing off his TAG Heuer Formula One Max Verstappen Special Edition ref CAZ1014.FC8196 (only available in The Netherlands). The watch is 43mm in fine-brushed and polished steel case, with a sandblasted, polished steel and matt blue aluminium fixed bezel with white tachymeter scale and blue sunray dial. The TAG Heuer quartz movement is powered by a battery, with the movement being one of the most perfect precisions in a quartz watch (a variation of only a few seconds per month). The watch is finished with what looks like a orange leather strap.