The world of watches and motorsport has always existed in tandem, with timepieces being crucial to keeping minutes in decades past. After all, all eyes are on the fastest time, measured by an exceptionally precise watch. Since 2013, Rolex had been the official timekeeper of Formula 1, but The Crown did not always have this honour as predecessors Longines, Tag Heuer, and Hublot took reign before.
With so much reliance on time on the grid, drivers simply can’t get enough of timepieces. From Lando Norris in Audemars Piguet to Alex Albon in Cartier, here are some of the best luxury watches spotted on your favourite drivers.
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Nico Hulkenberg in Rolex
Nico Hulkenberg wears a Rolex Daytona in rose gold with Oysterflex bracelet (Photo: Instagram / hulkhulkenberg)
German racing driver Nico Hulkenberg may be one of the more reserved drivers on the grid, but his watch collection tells otherwise. The evident family man sports the coveted Rolex Daytona in rose gold with Oysterflex bracelet on a day out. The timepiece features a Sundust and bright black dial with snailed counters, allowing drivers to map out their track times and tactics accurately. A suitable watch for a driver of his calibre.
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Lando Norris in Audemars Piguet
Lando Norris wears an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26715ST ‘50th Anniversary’ (Photo: Instagram / landonorris)
2024 has been a stellar year for McLaren driver Lando Norris, who counts two wins as of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. And as he keeps a firm hand on the wheel, his watch choices follow suit. Norris wore an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26715ST ‘50th Anniversary’ with a laidback ensemble. Inspired by the original Royal Oak featuring a ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern, this timepiece is its bolder cousin.
Yuki Tsunoda in Swatch x Omega
Yuki Tsunoda in a Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch Mission to Pluto timepiece (Photo: Instagram / yukitsunoda0511)
Yuki Tsunoda may not be the most avid watch collector on the grid, but he sure knows how to turn heads, proudly sporting a Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch Mission to Pluto timepiece. Featuring an attractive cream-white dial with burgundy subdials, the watch adorns the wrist with a touch of cosmic charm.
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Alex Albon in Cartier
Alex Albon wears a green-dialled Cartier Santos (Photo: Instagram / alex_albon)
Thai-British driver Alex Albon has kept it classy on the track racing for Williams. Off-track, he stays the same, sporting a Cartier Santos with a green-dialled variant. Needing no introduction, the iconic square case and Roman numerals speak for themselves in the realm of classic timepieces, proving Albon to be a true connoisseur who admires tradition.
Valtteri Bottas in Sarpaneva
Valtteri Bottas in a Sarpaneva (Photo: Instagram / valtteribottas)
The Finnish, mullet-sporting driver Valtteri Bottas holds his own on the grid with an enviable watch choice. Sporting Finnish brand Sarpaneva on his wrist, Bottas shows his stamp of approval of the brand’s infinite passion for watchmaking, decorating its pieces with a “Helsinki pattern” dial and high-grade Outokumpu stainless steel for a durable finish.
Daniel Ricciardo in Patek Philippe
Daniel Ricciardo in a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164R Travel Time (Photo: Instagram / danielricciardo)
Formula 1’s resident honey badger Daniel Ricciardo was spotted with a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164R Travel Time in full display as he posed for an elevator mirror selfie with his mates. The timepiece has a brown embossed dial with gold applied numerals and a matching brown rubber bracelet and features a mechanical self-winding movement.
George Russell in IWC Schaffhausen
George Russell is all smiles with Manchester City footballer Jack Grealish as he sports an IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Edition (Photo: Instagram / georgerussell63)
IWC is the official timepiece for the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, so it comes as no surprise when its drivers take to the brand in high spirits. British driver George Russel shows off a Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Edition featuring a sleek black ceratanium case and an additional split-seconds hand to record intermediate times. With such excellent attributes, we can see why it is a favourite of Russell, spotted on his wrist both on and off the grid.
Charles Leclerc in Richard Mille
Charles Leclerc wears an RM72-01 Flyback Chronograph (Photo: Instagram / charles_leclerc)
A long-withstanding patron of Richard Mille, thanks to the partnership between the brand and Ferrari, Monegasque Charles Leclerc was seen wearing an RM72-01 Flyback Chronograph of the Swiss brand. Dressed in Ferrari colours, the simple white watch makes for a muted touch on the wrist.
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