As the 2024 F1 season kicks off excitement is building for the first pre-season test of the year; taking place in Bahrain from February 21st-23rd. Amidst the anticipation of new cars, team changes, and off track shake-ups, watch enthusiasts eagerly await the latest watch collaborations and sponsorships. Notably, Tudor's entry into the F1 scene is generating a large buzz. With Hamilton's impending departure from Mercedes to Ferrari adding to the anticipation, here's a glimpse at the top F1 drivers' watches to keep an eye on in 2024.
Ferrari
Ferrari and Richard Mille have a longstanding partnership dedicated to pushing the boundaries of timekeeping innovation. Together, they've achieved remarkable milestones, including the creation of the world’s thinnest automatic wristwatch, exemplified by the RM UP-01 Ferrari model. On the racing circuit, Ferrari is aiming for a championship win this year with their golden boy Charles LeClerc, and the team are eagerly looking forward to welcoming Hamilton for the 2025 season.
Carlos Sainz seen sporting the Richard Mille RM 67-02 Automatic Winding Extra Flat ‘Alexander Zverev’. Great colour way to match the famous Ferrari red and black livery
Charles LeClerc is seen wearing the Richard Mille RM72-01 Flyback Chronograph.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team
The most significant development for the upcoming 2024 Mercedes season is the confirmation that Lewis Hamilton will depart the team in 2025 to join Ferrari. Despite this impending change, Hamilton will be pushing for his eight world title and leaving the Mercedes Team on a high. IWC remains the team's wristwatch partner, and enthusiasts anticipate further collaborations like the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team Watch released the back end of 2022.
The anticipation for Lewis Hamilton's third collaboration with IWC has been building for quite some time. The IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Lewis Hamilton, which was conceptualised almost two years ago. This collaboration marks four years since the last joint project between the Swiss watchmaker and the British racing driver. The dial smartly adorned with Lewis Hamilton's panther logo.
George Russell Watch - IWC Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Edition. An absolutely stunning, low-key titanium stealth watch.
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing is synonymous with its partnership with Tag Heuer. Each year, a new edition of the F1 Tag Monaco watch is released, typically worn by the drivers throughout the season. Tag Heuer is renowned for its extensive line up of F1 edition watches, further solidifying its presence in the commercial market.
The latest skeleton square-shaped black titanium grade Tag Monaco
Visa Cash App Red Bull
Replacing the AlphaTauri team is the Visa Cashapp Red Bull Formula One team, and along with their new livery comes a significant watch sponsor, Tudor. While Tudor has a history in cycling, with their very successful pro cycling team this partnership marks one of their most high-profile projects yet. During the launch party for the team's 2024 cars, drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda caused a stir in the watch world as they were spotted wearing a brand new, one-off ceramic blue dial Tudor watch.
Aston Martin
When it comes to watches inspired by F1, few are as thematic as the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin, which incorporates actual parts from Aston Martin’s F1 car. The watches composition blends titanium powder and carbon elements taken from two decommissioned F1 race cars used during the 2021 season.
McLaren
The first team to unveil their 2024 livery is also sponsored by Richard Mille. Lando Norris, arguably one of the top up and coming talents in the F1 paddock, is seen here sporting an RM67-02, which gained fame after being stolen at a Wembley football match in 2021. Lando will be aiming for a top five finish this year in the up and coming season.
ALPINE
H. Moser & Cie has made history by becoming Alpine's first ever "Global Partner," aligning across all branches of Alpine's racing projects, including F1. In addition to announcing this ground breaking partnership, they have hinted at plans to "develop common products." Could this mean an Alpine homologation watch is in the works?
Esteban Ocon & Pierre Gasly: Wearing the H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Flyback Chronograph for the 2024 launch
Williams
The British F1 team Williams had a previous partnership with the British brand Bremont for the 2023 season. However, this collaboration has ended, leaving Williams without a watch sponsor for 2024. Notably, the WR-22 and WR-23 Chronograph watches from Bremont were magnificent timepieces. A rare collector's racing edition box set was available, featuring a used wheel nut from the 2021 Bahrain race.
As the off-season draws to a close, practice in Bahrain is set to begin tomorrow, leading up to the first race of the season on February 29th. Keep an eye out for the latest trends and watches up and down the paddock as the excitement builds. For more information about the season, visit the F1 website here.
