Cars and watches are inextricably linked as material symbols of status, wealth, and prestige.

Or – to cut the high diction – nice cars and expensive watches have always been a straightforward way to flex. Certain manufacturers in both industries–Porsche, TAG Heuer, Ferrari, Rolex, Aston Martin, and IWC Schaffhausen, to name a few–carry a massive amount of clout over other brands.

For some brands, that extra oomph comes from producing higher-quality goods than their competitors. For elite automakers (namely those of the European variety), the phenomenon often comes from success on the racetrack. And, of course, what better way to measure on-track success than with a clock as sharp as a razor’s edge?

This question brings us to the subject of today’s newsletter: three racing-inspired watches that may just help you channel your inner race car driver and pay homage to the motorsport greats. Keep reading to see which watches achieved podium finishes!

Also in this week’s newsletter:

This Week(ish) in Watches(ish)

• Porsche Design and Hodinkee announced an upcoming collaboration expected to go live on their website today. Details are limited, but Hodinkee published a teaser video featuring a classic Porsche 911, beneath which interested parties can enter their email addresses to receive early access.

• In keeping with the racing theme, Sir Lewis Hamilton snagged his ninth victory at Silverstone in the 2024 British Grand Prix. This win marked the end of a winless streak lasting more than 900 days – the longest slump in the seven-time World Champion’s F1 career. On the back of the victory, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver holds eighth in the 2024 season standings with 110 points.

• Chopard released a new limited-edition timepiece to continue its long-held tradition of commemorating the 1000 Miglia with a watch boasting its logo. Named the Mille Miglia GTS Chrono Limited Italian Edition, the chronograph will be limited to 100 pieces and sold only in Italy. The watch retails for EUR10,300.

“It’s lights out and away we go!” - David Croft

Henry Ford is often attributed to saying “auto racing began 5 minutes after the second car was built.” Whether he said it or not, automakers boldly took the message to heart. According to one Jalopnik article, the first attempt to race cars took place in 1887, but only one vehicle entered.

Despite the low turnout for that lonely attempt, the sport persisted. The first auto race broadly labeled as such is the 1894 Paris-Rouen, a race that would ultimately lay the foundations for over a century of global motorsport events, including Formula One.

Today, motorsport is an essential part of the auto industry, attracting millions of eyes to drivers and cars alike as they compete on countless stages for the title of ‘best.’ These three watches are some of the best at harnessing that same spirit in their design and manufacturing.

1. FERRO & COMPANY DISTINCT 3 GRAND PRIX

Price: $455

Overview: The Distinct 3 Grand Prix simultaneously captures the essence of motorsport and drowns it in irony. Encased in stainless steel and shaped remarkably like a traditional stopwatch, this 42mm single-hand watch features a 12-hour dial divided into 144 marks, each representing 5 minutes.

In other words, the Ferro & Company piece is wonderfully imprecise despite being inspired by a sport entirely reliant on precision.

But that very irony is exactly what makes this timepiece so brilliant. Yes, the watch pictured above indicates 1:42-ish, but its design truly does, as Ferro & Company put it, “pay an ode to a bygone era and represent the most defining attributes of the legendary [sport].” From the stopwatch-style design to the Italian racing-style straps, this piece is perfect for car enthusiasts shopping for a watch that champions automotive passion.

2. TAG HEUER CARRERA CHRONOSPRINT X PORSCHE

Price: $9,200

Overview: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint X Porsche recognizes the 60th anniversaries of the TAG Heuer Carrera and the Porsche 911 – two legends within their respective industries. This iconic collaboration between TAG Heuer and Porsche leans heavily into their philosophy that “Carrera stands for distinctive design and strength of character.”

Featuring a white dial housed in a 42mm polished steel case, the Carrera Chronosprint X Porsche contains an in-house Calibre TH20-08 movement that “emulates the Porsche engine and the time it took for the first Porsche 911 to reach 100km/h.” The bottom sub-dial is strikingly similar to the dash-mounted “Sport Chrono” gauge found on well-optioned 911s (and other Porsche models). To its northwest, the leftmost sub-dial shows a “redline” between six and eight o’clock. The black leather strap is crafted from calfskin leather embossed at the six o’clock position with the original Porsche 911 logo.

This masterpiece beautifully captures the exhilaration and thrill that comes from driving a Porsche 911 at its limit. For any Porsche owner or fan, this timepiece is a surefire way to fuel the Porsche enthusiasm even further.

3. IWC BIG PILOT'S WATCH AMG G 63

Price: $33,400

Overview: The Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 (G-Wagon) may not exactly be a race car, but the twin-turbocharged V8 under the hood is a derivative of the engine that powers the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Coupe. Ergo, the big SUV’s heart beats with the same DNA (mostly) as Mercedes-Benz’s flagship ‘supercar.’

The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 recognizes the German manufacturer’s performance heritage. The black dial is embossed with a “relief-like technical structure inspired by the front grilles and air intakes of Mercedes-AMG performance cars.” The G-Class is recognized by details reminiscent of the spare wheel cover and iconic circular headlights, including a tinted sapphire glass case back with a Mercedes-Benz star and white sub-dial outer rings.

This watch is one of the latest to spring from IWC’s near-twenty-year relationship with Mercedes-Benz, and it features a 42.6mm case and crown crafted of “18-carat Armor Gold®.” The watch boasts an automatic movement with a 168-hour power reserve. And while the price tag isn’t insignificant, the Big Pilot’s Watch is a statement piece like almost nothing else.

More Automotive-Inspired 🔥

Price: $625

Overview: From the color scheme to the “aesthetic of racing glove design” introduced by the perforated leather strap, the Promaster MX Blue Dial screams ‘race car driver.’ The bottom sub-dial is vaguely reminiscent of the drive-mode selection knob on the steering wheel of a Ferrari or the gauge cluster on the Lamborghini Revuelto. Every component on the timepiece – including the 43mm stainless steel case – is somehow both sleek and rugged, successfully capturing the spirit of the world’s greatest automotive accomplishments.

“Designed for racing enthusiasts,” this Citizen features a red accent on the dial not dissimilar to the rev limiter (redline) on a tachometer, as well as other sporty accents that enhance its appearance as a racing-oriented watch. Other noteworthy features include a 1/20-second chronograph that measures up to 60 minutes, dual time zones, and a perpetual calendar.

Price: $2,275

Overview: Tissot pulled out all the stops when designing the Heritage 1973. An homage to the vintage design of the chronograph from 1973, the watch features a “panda dial” equipped with a tachymeter. Like the Promaster MX Blue Dial, the Heritage 1973 offers a perforated leather strap, though this one “recalls the racing wheel on classic racing cars” instead of racing glove material.

Powered by an automatic VALJOUX movement, this Tissot provides up to 60 hours of power reserve and resists water up to 10 bar (100 meters). The three contrasting sub-dials include 30-minute and 60-second counters and a 12-hour indication.

The Tissot Heritage 1973 is a quintessential racing-inspired watch, taking all the core properties one might expect from such a sporty piece and delivering them in a sleek parcel that exudes precision and performance.

Price: CHF 30,000 (~$33,000)

Overview: I grew up watching Shmee150 spot some of the world’s most exciting exotics and supercars, so the reveal of his Aventi A15 Wraith on his watch-focused YouTube channel in May 2023 instantly made this watch a viable candidate for this list. Inspired by the engine bays of supercars (namely, the Lamborghini Aventador), the Wraith is constructed of a Saphite™ case in a stunning Paraiba Blue. Saphite™, for those interested, is made of “a crystalline structure suspended in a glassy matrix, increasing its impact and scratch resistance.” The material is derived from sapphire and can be colored in almost any way a customer may wish.

Measuring 44mm x 49mm, this Wraith is powered by a hand-wound Swiss Tourbillon GT-01S, while the band consists of “Forged Carbon Rubber.” Due to high demand and a complex production process, only ten pieces will be available worldwide each month, and they must be individually ordered through an Aventi concierge. Allocations will be determined based on “strict criteria.”

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