When it comes to machines that value both form and function, no duo does it better than cars and watches. Beautiful, technical, complex, and powerful on-the-go, both industries boast a rich history and fascinating future – where exceptional craft meets precision engineering. So it comes as no surprise that some of the most renowned watchmakers have partnered with equally respected automakers to create collaborative pieces that reflect both their strengths.
And if you’re a modern gearhead looking for a stylish new watch to match your ride, here are some of the coolest car-themed watches you can adorn.
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition
Measuring at 44mm, this special edition chronograph from the TAG Heuer Carrera collection is a sporty number that pays tribute to two of the most dynamic luxury brands. Its ceramic bezel features a tachymeter scale and a Porsche inscription in red. The dial’s unique asphalt effect was created especially for this watch, as an expression of passion for the road, while the Arabic numerals suggest the numbers on the dashboard of a Porsche. Powering the watch is the Heuer 02 manufacture movement, which boasts an 80-hour power reserve, and an oscillating mass inspired by the Porsche steering wheel. W tagheuer.com
Richard Mille RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail
Touted as Richard Mille’s most audacious and extreme watch yet, the new RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail is modeled after McLaren’s first Hyper-GT and its fastest road car ever, the hybrid Speedtail. Priced at a tongue-biting US$1.022 million, the watch emulates the shape of a teardrop – mirroring the hypercar – with the watchmaker’s casing department spending 2,800 hours in the span of 18 months just to perfect the case alone. It also features a new movement, the Calibre CRMT4, which is a result of five prototypes. W richardmille.com
Breitling Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition
This special edition Premier pays homage to the long lasting partnership between Breitling and Bentley, while reviving the former’s legacy of inventing the modern chronograph. It features rectangular chronograph pushers and Arabic numerals, while displaying elegant details such as grooves on the case-sides, an open tourbillon cage, and vintage-inspired hands. For a luxurious vintage look, the watch comes in 18k red gold with a rich green dial, and fitted with a gold brown alligator strap. Powering this Premier is the COSC-certified Manufacture Calibre B21 with a power reserve of 55 hours. W breitling.com
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Huracán STO
Just a week after Lamborghini announced what might be the last Huracán to be produced, Roger Dubuis unveiled a timepiece based on the road-homologated Huracán STO super sports car. The dial, bezel, and strap get the car’s bold colourway in Blue Laufey and California Orange, and a generous 45mm skeletonised carbon case that shows off the automatic RD630 Calibre with honeycomb motif. W rogerdubuis.com
Jacob & Co Bugatti Chiron
For its latest addition to the Bugatti collection, Jacob & Co once again looked to the beasty Bugatti Chiron to create a high complication timepiece. Like its predecessors, it houses a functional miniature reproduction of the hypercar’s W16-cylinder engine – but with some extra bling as embellishment. The 18k white gold tonneau case reflects the lines of the Chiron, with 190 baguette white diamonds, 109 baguette black sapphires, and 42 baguette orange sapphires “invisibly” set into the case. It’s powered by the manual winding JCAM3 movement, comprised of 578 components – including a 30-degree inclined flying tourbillon, a “fuel” power reserve indicator, and a 60-hour power reserve. W jacobandco.com
Photos courtesy of the respective brands.