Borna Bosniaks
The relationship between cars and watches is deeply intertwined and goes beyond mere practicality. For some, cars are tools that get us from point A to point B, while for others, watches simply perform the tedious task of telling time. When it comes to watches to wear while driving, you might immediately think of chronographs, but that’s not the purpose of this list. Complications undoubtedly go hand in hand with racing watches, but when it comes to watches to actually wear while driving, it’s a whole other story. Rather than picking out a Rolex Daytona or a Heuer Monaco (which are great watches in their own right), this list focuses on watches that cater entirely to a driver-centric sensibility, whether that be a unique orientation, distinctive style, or some other X-factor.
Autodromo Group B
The Group B rally era was the sport’s pinnacle in terms of its intimidation. Four-wheel-drive turbo-charged beasts roared down dusty forest tracks, with crowds giving way at the last moment. It was only a matter of time before the series was cancelled due to the high level of danger. Luckily, the folks at Autodromo are perpetuating the era of the Audi Quattro S2 and Lancia 037 in Group B with a pure 1980s inspiration in the design of the dashboard-like dial and integrated bracelet. With a titanium and steel case housing a Miyota 9015, the 39mm case is just 9.9mm tall, and this Corsica Blue colorway also fits the vaporwave aesthetic so prevalent in the decade. Price: $950
De Rijke & Co. Guy Allen Amalfi Land
Champlevé enamel isn’t something you’d associate with a new microbrand, especially when it’s used in cartoon-style depictions of curvaceous, mid-century GTs. But that’s exactly what Guy Allen came up with in his collaboration with De Rijke & Co. This sunset scene capture alone would be enough to earn it a place on this list, but De Rijke & Co. has once again used a rotating case, allowing the wearer to slide the crown along a groove on the right side of the watch. This tilts the entire dial, making it easier to read the time when wearing the watch while driving. Price: €3,395 (approx. $3,800 USD)
Reservoir 390 Fastback
We’ve already covered the 1950s and 1980s, so now let’s take a look at American muscle watches from the 1960s. Reservoir built its design language around retrograde displays, whose similarity to a tachometer naturally links the brand to automobiles. The 390 Fastback pays homage to the 1967 Ford Mustang of the same name, with stylized numerals for the minutes and jumping hours at the bottom of the dial. The movement is a modified La Joux-Perret G100, with a patented feature that allows the movement to run backwards, something you should never do with a retrograde mechanism. Price: $4,180 USD
Azimuth Twin Turbo
Azimuth belongs to a wild field of watchmaking where all rulebooks and conventions are ignored. Founded in 2003, the brand is relatively new to the watch world. The Twin Turbo is one such concept, a twin-dial concept watch designed to look like a dashboard. When worn while driving, the dials face forward while holding the wheel. Taking it a step further, the sleek aluminum case cover, like the clamshell hood of a 60s racer, lifts up to allow access to the crowns of both movements. Both movements are hand-wound vintage 1960s caliber ETA 2512-2. The right dial displays the minutes and the left dial displays the hours. Both are separate designs that look like a rev counter and speedometer. The watch has a slightly futuristic look, but it perfectly replicates the retro-future so often seen in the 60s. Price: USD 5,600
Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
The 1920s was a time of change, and the automobile truly became a symbol of prestige and style. Cars were thrust into the limelight, adorning movie screens, permeating popular culture, and signifying status and glamour. At the same time, the 1920s saw the rise of wristwatches, adapting from pocket watches to the aesthetics of the era. At the intersection of the automotive revolution and watchmaking innovation, wristwatches as a driver’s companion began to evolve. The Vacheron Constantin 1921 emerged as a notable timepiece. The diagonal dial design allows it to be worn on the inside of the wrist and easily read when holding the wheel at 4 and 8 o’clock, which is different from how most people hold the wheel today. This classic watch reflects the spirit of the 1920s with its cushion case, Breguet-style numerals, manual-winding Caliber 4400 movement, and of course, the diagonal dial. Crafted entirely from precious metals and featuring a gorgeous leather strap, this watch is a faithful reproduction of the original and a hidden gem in Vacheron Constantin’s collection. Price: USD 33,400
MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision
In the 1940s and 50s, aerodynamics in motorsport and the automotive industry really started to take hold, and engineers started to apply what they learned from aviation. Car brands started to experiment with highly curvaceous designs to make their cars faster and more efficient, but also, importantly, to make them look otherworldly beautiful. This is where Max Büsser and his brand MB&F got their inspiration for the Horological Machine 9, a play on scientific design and aesthetic excess. This Sapphire Edition is the ultimate HM9, showcasing its incredible inner workings through the most complex sapphire crystal ever seen, designed by Eric Giroux and Guillaume Thevenin. This sapphire crystal is designed with two independent balance wheels with planetary differentials. Like most MB&Fs, it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, but finished with great flair. Price: USD 490,000
Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Seiko Giugiaro 7A28-7000 “Ripley”
I know, I know. What does an alien watch have to do with driving? To give you a little background, this watch was released in 1983 and was chosen by the props department of James Cameron’s horror movie three years later to be the wrist companion of the protagonist Ellen Ripley. While the celebrity provenance helped its mass appeal, the main reason it was chosen was thanks to the fact that it was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. He was somewhat instrumental in the birth of the MPV with the Lancia Megamama (for better or worse) and designed the FSO Polones, but he also designed the DMC Delorean and the BMW M1. For car enthusiasts, this is a dream come true, especially if you’re interested in the “wedge” era of car design. Prices for the original watch have risen considerably in recent years, but you can still find one for around $2,700. If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, Seiko re-released the design in 2015 with the SCED035 (nicknamed “Ripley’s Daughter”), but you’re unlikely to find one for under $1,000. Price: Approximately $1,300 (SCED035), approximately $2,700 (7A28-7000).
