The watches gracing the Formula 1 grid in 2024
Borna BošnjakFormula 1 has had an undeniable influence on watch culture, right from the very beginnings of the sport. It helped create icons like the TAG Heuer Monaco, Rolex Daytona and Richard Mille, and its effect on the watch game shows no signs of slowing down – Lewis Hamilton’s “accidental” strut with an unreleased IWC Big Pilot perpetual calendar strapped to his wrist is all the proof you need. Ahead of the octane circus restarting in Bahrain next weekend, we thought we’d revisit the wrists of F1 stars and lists of sponsors for their respective teams. There have been exciting changes and new additions, so let’s get right into it, in order of Constructors’ Championship standings from last year.
Red Bull and TAG Heuer
The team that had the single most dominant season in the history of the sport last year continues their partnership with TAG Heuer. Coincidentally, TAG Heuer also had a belter of a year in 2023, so it makes sense for the two to stick together. While 2023 yielded some special stuff from both factories, I’m really looking forward to any potential collaborations between the two for this year – something like the Dark Lord from a few years back. If I may offer a suggestion: now the Monza has been revived, a limited-edition Red Bull collab dropping on the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix would do nicely.
Mercedes and IWC Schaffhausen
There’s something about this Mercedes and IWC partnership that just makes sense. The combination of high-tech endeavours and Teutonic attention to detail has produced many a collab in the past, from the Petronas F1 Team edition to the very noticeable G-Wagen Big Pilot. This year is also likely to be Lewis Hamilton’s final as ambassador for the brand considering his move to Ferrari in 2025 (still not over that), and I have an inkling we’ll look back at his signature special edition pieces with nostalgia in less than 12 months. As for the F1 team, they’ve got the most to prove in terms of performance this season. We’re not used to seeing Mercedes struggle as much as they have recently, and it looks like they’re already masterminding their way to supremacy with that controversial front-wing solution.
Ferrari and Richard Mille
Speaking of struggle and unmatched expectations: as a long-suffering Ferrari fan, I hardly remember anything other than heartbreak, even from my very first season watching F1. While I still have nightmares of “Is that Glock? Is that Glock going slowly?”, I remain hopeful that this year is our year. I will rinse and repeat this statement for 2025 after Max wins another 23 races this year. Oh, and of course, Richard Mille is still on the side of that gorgeous red machine, though I can only hope they won’t attract unwanted attention to the two drivers as they’ve known to do in the past.
McLaren and Richard Mille (as well)
McLaren is the other team on Richard Mille’s F1 sponsorship roster, and the Woking team will be hoping to avoid their recent trends of inconsistent form. Having really taken the fight to Red Bull towards the end of last season, they also have one of the most exciting driver line-ups on the grid in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Provided that the MCL38 isn’t a dog at the start of the season as its predecessors have been, the historic racing team has a good shot at the big boys.
Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux
Two things are certain in the world of Aston Martin’s F1 team – the fact that Lance Stroll will keep his seat and that their livery will be green. Alongside Fernando Alonso becoming a TikTok sensation, the team’s partnership with Girard-Perregaux was among the more unlikely ones. Nevertheless, it produced a lovely green ceramic Laureato, and is due to continue in 2024 – we have it on good authority that there will be another Aston Martin x Girard-Perregaux creation released in 2024. With all the hype that surrounded Alonso’s performances at the start of last season, his hopes for another race win are still alive and kicking, though I’m sure they’ll look to avoid being outdeveloped by the other teams this year round.
Alpine and H. Moser & Cie
View this post on Instagram
Unlike some of the others on this list, H. Moser & Cie aren’t only going to be the watch sponsors for Alpine’s F1 division, but rather becoming the brand’s first-ever global partner. This means that Bell & Ross will no longer outfit their square, industrial designs with Alpine’s blue (and in the past, Renault yellow) colours, the onus now shifting to the high-end Moser brand.
What’s even more exciting is Edouard Meylan’s (Moser CEO and Owner) comments on Instagram, stating that the brand “chose [the watches] for 2024, but we will work on future models with [the drivers]”. If you’re at all familiar with the Moser’s irreverent spirit, I can only imagine the wacky creations this partnership may cook up.
Williams and Bremont, kinda
After a 15-year stint with Oris, Williams switched to Bremont timing in 2021, producing several special editions. The legendary racing team is now without a timing sponsor, though you can still find co-branded Bremonts for sale. For many old-school F1 fans, seeing Williams slowly climb back up the ranks is encouraging, and with Alex Albon working his magic behind the wheel, there’s hope for a return to the top.
Racing Bulls and Tudor
The most exciting 2024 F1 partnership for most watch geeks will undoubtedly be Tudor and Racing Bulls. And yes – I refuse to call them Visa CashApp RB, which is in my opinion the absolute worst name F1 has seen in years, though the next entry on this list comes close. At least their livery is phenomenal. Back to the excitement: though. Tudor’s entry into motorsport also signalled a potential for exciting new watches, especially remembering the Prince Chronograph announced for the ill-fated 2023 edition of Only Watch. Team photos revealed a different novelty, however, this time in the form of a matte blue-dialled Black Bay Ceramic on Daniel Ricciardo’s wrist. With Rolex unlikely to sponsor both Formula 1 as a whole and a separate team, this is the closest we’ll get to a modern F1 special from the Crown – and why not? Tudor has sponsored plenty of sporting events in the past, and Formula 1 is just about the biggest stage in the world.
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber and Rebellion, kinda
View this post on Instagram
While they come a close second place for the worst name this year, Sauber’s unfortunate renaming wins the “worst livery” competition in my eyes. They’ve also lost their watch partner for this year, seeing as Rebellion’s watchmaking division has been shut down in favour of returning to motorsport. The Rebellion team previously competed in the World Endurance Championship and the Dakar Rally.
View this post on Instagram
Nonetheless, both Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas still sport Rebellion watches in their early promo shots, but who knows – maybe Bottas’ compatriot Sarpaneva will find a way to support more than just their homegrown talent? The green and carbon combo doesn’t work that well on that car. On a watch, however…
Haas and – well, nobody
While they’ve struggled with success in recent times, the Haas drivers and Best Team Boss Ever™️ Guenther Steiner at least provided the fans with plenty of entertainment. Last season’s lowest-placed team once again finds itself without a watch sponsor for the year, with the team’s previous partnership with Cyrus Genève finishing up at the end of 2022. If nothing else, Nico Hulkenberg (who seems like a bit of a watch fan) will get to enjoy his collection unrestricted, including a yellow gold, Oysterflex-equipped Daytona, Pepsi GMT-Master II and what seems to be a vintage Sub.