Luxury watches are forever tied to motorsports. We’ve always been given the chance to wear the same watch a race winner puts on their wrist before they climb onto the podium and most brands produce a limited edition to commemorate a race team partnership.
Many of the latest motorsport watches were on display at the Baselworld 2017 in Switzerland, instantly appealing to our inner gearhead as we toured the luxurious halls of the world-famous watch show.
Here are five of our favorites:
Bell & Ross BR RS-17
A stunning mix of titanium, ceramic, and carbon fiber, the F1-inspired RS-17 watches are real attention grabbers. Bell & Ross has teamed up with the Renault Formula One team, drawing on its trademark style and mixing it with F1 materials and style. There are three in the collection, all with color schemes influenced by the Renault Sport F1 team’s livery, that differ in materials used and movement. Choose between an automatic, a skeletonized automatic, and a tourbillon movement. Each is a limited run, and prices start at around $6,100.
Edox Chronorally Sauber F1 Limited Edition
Don’t let the large 48mm case put you off, this is a fabulous limited edition F1 watch from Edox. We put it on, and really didn’t want to take it off. It’s the second collaboration between Sauber and Edox, and is fashioned from titanium and carbon fiber. There will only be 555 available to buy, and it comes in a very cool presentation box. There are many F1 touches to spot on the watch, including the word Sunday being replaced by Race on the days of the week display, and the rear of the case styled like an F1 car wheel rim.
Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator
A vision in minimalist style and automotive cool, this is the Monobloc Actuator from Porsche Design. Instead of push buttons, the watch has an integrated rocker switch on the side of the case, inspired by the inner workings of a race car engine. Porsche Design makes a point of saying the system is highly durable, precise, and easy to use; but we know the real reason it was added: It looks awesome. The edges of the rocker actually cover the sapphire crystal when pushed, for an even more unusual look. It’ll cost around $7,250.
Tissot T-Race MotoGP Automatic
This limited edition watch, built to commemorate Tissot’s partnership with the MotoGP motorcycle race series, is packed with details inspired by the bikes. Made from PVD coated stainless steel in rose gold and several other color combinations, note the dashboard-style dial layout, the tire tread strap, and the brake-disc motif on the bezel and body. Only 2,017 models will be made, and each comes in a cool box shaped like a motorbike helmet. Expect to pay $1,300.
2017 Casio Edifice Scuderia Toro Rosso Limited Edition
The 2017 Casio Edifice Scuderia Toro Rosso Limited Edition has a stainless steel case and band, a mineral glass crystal, and a dial featuring the red, blue, and gold colors taken from the Formula One team’s colors. The three hands join three dials showing stopwatch minutes and seconds, plus a 24-hour reading. The EFR-556TR-1A is the second watch in Casio’s partnership with Toro Rosso, and costs 200 British pounds, or around $250.
