Cars and watches, despite their different uses, share a deep-rooted connection that began with the advent of the automobile. Racing watches were created for a very specific purpose: to measure time for horse, car, motorbike, and other races where accurate timekeeping was instrumental. Therefore, naturally, the most important distinguishing feature of a racing watch is the presence of a stopwatch function. For this reason, most chronographs on the market today can be categorized as racing watches, with the tachymeter on the bezel as an additional identifying element, which is a useful tool in the calculation of time and distance.
Both cars and watches are not only rich in heritage but also showcase complex engineering and detailed mechanics, harmonizing aesthetics and functionality. This shared history and complexity is why many car lovers also have a deep appreciation for sophisticated timepieces. This has led to the creation of a variety of watches designed specifically for automotive enthusiasts and gearheads. Today, we will highlight some of the finest examples in this guide to the best watches for car enthusiasts.
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Best Automotive-Inspired Watches
Tag Heuer Monaco
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Heuer 02
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 39 x 39 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Price: $5,000 – $6,500
The Monaco from Tag Heuer was one of the first automatic chronographs ever created, and it became an absolute favorite after the “King of Cool”, Steve McQueen wore the Heuer Monaco on his wrist in 1971 in Le Mans. This watch is an absolute classic and due to the bold geometries, we have a beautiful balance of vintage and contemporary.
Breitling Top Time B01 Ford Mustang
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Breitling 01
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Price: Around $6,000
The 1960s, a time of bold experimentation, fun, and unrestrained freedom, was an era where the thrill of speeding on a motorcycle or in a sportscar symbolized living life to the fullest. Sensing this dynamic shift, Willy Breitling embarked on creating a unique chronograph that would encapsulate the era’s zest. He named it the Top Time. This legacy of vibrancy is carried forward today, with Breitling collaborating with leading names in the automobile industry to craft its Top Time series. The first-generation Ford Mustang, a hallmark from 1964 to 1974, epitomized the essence of the swinging ’60s in America. This iconic car, still in production, is revered, especially the early models that embodied the decade’s free-spirited ethos. The Top Time B01 Ford Mustang model echoes this legacy, featuring the classic colors and emblem of the original car, along with a perforated leather racing strap, a tachymeter for speed measurement, and distinctive “squircle” subdials reminiscent of vintage car dashboards. Moreover, it boasts an impressive mechanism: the acclaimed Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 engine.
Hamilton American Classic INTRA-MATIC
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: H-31
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Price: Around $2,000
The Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono is a new recreation of a 1968 signature timepiece that delivers a sporty yet timeless design. With its characteristic panda dial and true 1960s charm, the H-31 automatic watch is a surefire eye-catcher. It’s a great watch for classic car enthusiasts as well as the tachymeter on the bezel and long seconds hand make you feel like you’re looking at a dashboard of a racing car, already visualizing the checkered flag.
TAG Heuer Formula 1
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Lug Distance: 21 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m
- Price: Below $1,500
There is no comprehensive racing watch list that doesn’t include a TAG Heuer, and our pick is the Formula 1. This watch has a very serious, masculine look due to all black dial, bezel, and push buttons. It comes complete with all the elements of a true racing watch, including a high tech rubber band that is very comfortable on the wrist. The Formula 1 is built for durability, speed, and endurance, marked by the checkered flag engraving on the back of the case.
VAER R1 Racing Chronograph
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: Seiko VK-63
- Case Width: 38 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 46 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Price: Around $300
The VAER R1 Racing Chronograph is a vintage-inspired statement piece. Its cushion-shaped case with the cream dial design combination definitely brings us to a ‘60 auto racing vibe. The brushed stainless steel case is 38 mm wide, a size we don’t see very often with racing chronographs, therefore it is a good, versatile size for smaller wrists as well. The vibrant red accent color on the dial gives a highly dynamic look. Overall, The VAER R1 is a classic vintage-inspired racing chronograph with features to fit the everyday practicality of our modern lives.
Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: BR-CAL.326
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Price: Around $5,000
The Bell & Ross BR 05 is a collection of timepieces that can be recognized from a distance, and that is hard to achieve by sticking with tasteful design features. While integrated bracelets are not the most popular solutions among watch collectors, it is an integral part of the BR 05. To quote Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross’ co-founder and creative director: “This integration of case and bracelet is not only in line with the brand’s visual identity, it also brings another dimension to the watch: the first link forms part of the case. This type of design harks back to the Seventies, and when transposed to Bell & Ross, it creates a result with a graphic style which is both striking and modern.”
At first glance, this is a very masculine watch due to its angular design and the satin-finished surfaces that are perfectly flat. The case width is 42 mm, which is a perfect size for a statement piece. After further inspection, we can see how this timepiece has perfectly calculated details that all work together to create a remarkable watch that could rest on your wrist in the most natural way.
Sternglas Tachymeter
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Caliber: Miyota 0S20
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Lug-to-Lug Distance: 50 mm
- Price: Around $300
Sternglas is a new brand that’s quickly becoming popular with their Bauhaus watches. While the Sternglas Tachymeter displays some minimalist design elements, it is truly a sporty chronograph. The 42 mm case width and 50 mm lug-to-lug distance, this watch is perfect for mid-size wrists, but could look good on smaller wrists as well as the thickness is at only 10 mm, creating a more elegant look. The dial doesn’t have Arabic or Roman numerals, and for a bit of a dynamism the yellow accent color is incorporated, which we absolutely love.
The movement is the reliable Miyota 0S20 quartz movement.
Bremont Jaguar C-Type
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Calibre 13 1/4’’’ BE-50AV
- Power Reserve: 56 hours
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Price: $6,000 – $7,000
Created by Malcolm Sayer, a renowned British Jaguar car designer, aerodynamicist, and artist, the C-type is celebrated for its remarkably streamlined design. The Bremont Jaguar C-type watch takes its cues from the car’s iconic style and design elements, just like previous Bremont Jaguar timepieces.
This modern interpretation of a motoring classic is embodied in the monochrome 43mm Jaguar C-type chronograph, a new addition to Bremont’s Motorsport Collection. Featuring a robust steel Trip-Tick® case with a scratch-resistant PVD-treated case middle, the watch is adorned with a bi-directional rotating tachymeter ring. This ring’s brushed finish pays homage to the C-type’s groundbreaking disc brake, a technology first used in this race car and still prevalent today.
Dan Henry 1964 Gran Turismo Chronograph
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK63
- Case Width: 38 mm
- Lug Distance: 19 mm
- Price: Under $300
The Dan Henry 1964 Gran Turismo has a 38 mm case diameter, the size of vintage driving watches. A thinner than usual Tachymeter definitely brings back some vintage feel, and gives the watch a nice elegant flair. As an additional tribute to driving and racing, the back of the watch has a special car icon engraved: the Aston Martin DB5. An overall great choice for the lovers of speed.
Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver - Broad Arrow
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Sellita SW510 BH B
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Case Width: 38 mm
- Price: Around $2,000
Nivada Grenchen is an exciting brand with a very impressive heritage as it was originally founded in 1926. In 2018, the brand got a fresh new start, and their iconic Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is available again. We’re featuring the Broad Arrow version here, a retro look with a substantial arrow hour hand that gives a unique character to the watch.
This Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is equipped with the Sellita SW510 BH B caliber automatic Swiss movement, providing around 60 hours of power reserve.
Spinnaker Hull Chronograph - Fumee Black
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK73
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Price: Around $250
Spinnaker’s Hull Chronograph Fumee Black watch has an eye-catching cushion shaped case. Adding to the list of features that make this watch unique is the matte black textured dial, giving the watch depth that attracts the eye. It is sporty and stylish mixed with the perfect amount of vintage. The case diameter is 42 mm, making it a good fit for most wrist sizes.
Read our Spinnaker Brand review.
YEMA Rallygraf Meca-Quartz Reverse Panda
Specs:
- Movement: Mechanical-Quartz
- Caliber: VK64
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Price: Under $500
The Yema Rallygraf is a beautiful vintage-inspired racing chronograph. The subdials’ rounded corners remind us of the dashboard of race cars from the ‘60/’70s. The case is polished stainless steel, not brushed, an excellent choice to give a bit of a modern sheen to a retro look. The VK64 Seiko Mechanical-quartz movement is a reliable movement. The width of the case is 39 mm, a great size for most wrist sizes.
Nezumi Voiture
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK63
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Price: Under $500
The Voiture by Nezumi has some very exciting details to make this watch an instant favorite for people looking for timepieces with a vintage flair. The design of the sub-dials’ hands have a distinct retro look to them, as if you were looking at a car’s dashboard from the ‘60s and ‘70’s. The lighter blue color around the 24-hour and the 60 minute chronograph counter sub-dials (the two sub-dials on the sides) makes for a perfect dynamic detail on the dial. The orange center seconds chronograph completes the picture, 10/10.
Buyer's Guide
Key Aspects to Consider When Looking For Automotive-Inspired Watches
When selecting a watch with automotive themes, there are several key factors to consider, so let’s explore the top five:
- Case: Similar to a car’s frame, the case is the foundational element of a watch, like a car’s chassis. Watch cases vary in shape, style, and material, with some using materials common in motorsport, like carbon fiber or titanium.
- Movement: Just as the engine is crucial in a car, the movement within a motorsport-inspired watch is equally important. While many are mechanical, there’s a wide range of movements found in these watches, each adding a unique touch to the timepiece.
- Dial: Many watchmakers create a closer link to automotive themes by designing dials reminiscent of car instruments and gauges. This design often features chronograph dials with sub-dials and tachymeters for speed and distance measurements.
- Band: The band significantly influences the watch’s overall look, and many automotive-inspired watches feature bands echoing classic car interiors. Like changing a tire, the band can be swapped to suit different occasions, adding versatility.
WRITTEN BY
Maté D
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