10 F1 Drivers and Their Favorite Watches

Inside the cockpit of a Formula 1 car, temperatures can climb beyond 120º F and braking forces routinely reach 5 Gs. A driver’s heart rate can sit north of 170 bpm for nearly two hours. In a sport where thousandths of a second determine grid positions, F1 drivers operate in a world defined by extreme speed, pressure, and precision. In such environments, a watch worn by a race car driver has to be about far more than a sponsorship logo. Motorsport places unique demands on a timepiece, turning it into a rolling stress test of vibration, G-forces, heat, and shock, so drivers must choose watches that are capable of surviving all these conditions. And while Formula 1 is awash in watch branding, splashed across helmets, race suits, pit walls, and podium backdrops, the most authentic connection between motorsport and watchmaking is ultimately found on the wrists of the drivers themselves. Let’s jump into 10 of the best watches worn by F1 drivers.

[toc-section heading="Isack Hadjar: Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25”"]

Algerian-French racing driver Isack Hadjar is a standout in the junior formulas and is now the 19th driver promoted to F1 through Red Bull’s notoriously selective academy. For that role, he must deliver under pressure. Driving for the newly rebranded Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, he chooses the Tudor Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25 watch to accompany him around the track. The watch is developed around the team’s 2025 livery and, in many ways, sits in its own corner of Tudor’s collectable neo-vintage Black Bay collection, reducing heft with its full carbon-fiber case and lightweight titanium pushers.

This strong and tactile watch presents the time on a domed racing-white dial and contrasting carbon-filled sub-counters.  Inside the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” is the Caliber MT5813, with a vertical clutch and column wheel for butter-smooth operation and a handy 70-hour power reserve for those days off the track.

Price: $7,575, Case Size: 42mm, Thickness: 14.3mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 200m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manufacture Caliber MT5813

[toc-section heading="Lewis Hamilton: IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph"]

Lewis Hamilton and IWC have been intrinsically linked through Formula 1 via the brand’s long-standing partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, so much so that the brand unveiled a limited-edition Portugieser to honor the racing driver. As a 44-piece limited edition, the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph pays tribute to Hamilton’s racing number and features a 43.5mm platinum case with a striking teal dial. Each hour marker is set with a diamond, while the driver’s personalized panther logo sits alongside more technical highlights, including a hacking minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock with an integrated stop function for precise, to-the-second time setting.

Other features include the Caliber 89900, a high-complication movement combining a flying minute tourbillon, flyback chronograph, and retrograde date, augmented by Diamond Shell® technology on the pallet lever and escape wheel to reduce friction and enhance power delivery. Not just a technical tour de force on the wrist, the teal-colored Portugieser is a deeply personal tribute to Hamilton’s racing legacy and even features gold-plated movement bridges for the first time since the legendary Il Destriero Scafusia was released in 1993.

Price: $169,000, Case Size: 43.5mm, Thickness: 15.9mm, Water Resistance: 30m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: IWC Caliber 89900

[toc-section heading="Max Verstappen: TAG Heuer Monaco Verstappen Edition"]

Nineteen sixty-nine was a landmark year, bringing Concorde, Woodstock, the moon landing, and a fierce horological race to create the world’s first automatic chronograph. Amid all of this, Heuer quietly introduced a disruptive square-shaped watch that radiated motorsport appeal. The Monaco was hardly a safe choice at the time. Round watches were ruling supreme. But pretty soon it became a symbol of speed and defiance. Having found its way onto the wrist of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, it became a playground for creativity with special V4 editions, skeletonized versions, anniversary iterations, and Gulf-endorsed models. But one Monaco watch, in particular, stakes the boldest claim in the brand’s relationship with Formula 1.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Verstappen Edition takes the rebellious square design and injects it with razor-sharp contrasts and bold colors. Max Verstappen of the Oracle Red Bull team was honored with the Monaco Split Second Chronograph back in 2024 at the Monaco Grand Prix. It features the ratrappante complication, allowing for two events to be timed simultaneously, regardless of their start and finish times. Extensive use of sapphire crystal also reveals plenty of the Caliber TH81-00 at play. Meanwhile, its 41mm DLC-coated case made from titanium is a marvel of lightness. The hour counter commemorates the years of Max Verstappen’s World Champion victories in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, while the minutes chapter is inscribed with the driver’s name. Even the rotor exposed through the skeletonized dial is emblazoned with the “World Champion Max Verstappen” lettering, while a lion’s head emblem representing the driver’s nickname is proudly showcased on the minutes dial.

Case Size: 41mm, Case thickness: 15.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 47.9mm, Water Resistance: 30m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Caliber TH81-00

[toc-section heading="George Russell: IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 Black Ceramic"]

Since he arrived on the grid in 2019, George Russell has worn plenty of IWC watches over the years, but his latest is one of the most aggressive interpretations of the Ingenieur yet. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team driver sports his very own custom version of IWC’s popular sports watch, adorned with a dial in bright blue that’s reminiscent of his Mercedes-AMG Petronas helmet. The watch is a result of the driver’s own design ideas fused with those from British customization brand Bamford Watch Department. The 42mm model marks a first for the collection, being the only Ingenieur watch to be rendered entirely in black ceramic. It also features an integrated bracelet, a grid-like dial pattern, and a tough sapphire crystal front and back. 

Here, IWC leans into a more playful look, mixing a bold turquoise dial with a black ceramic case, while keeping the changes strictly visual. Underneath the hood is the tried and tested automatic Caliber 82210, complete with a Pellaton winding system and a generous 60-hour power reserve. While there’s no official plan for a mainstream release, it’s clear that IWC is highlighting its F1 heritage through the Ingenieur, using brand ambassador George Russell to show how the sports watch has evolved from a tool to a modern motorsport icon by flexing its experimental side.

Case Size: 42mm, Thickness: 11.6mm, Water Resistance: 100m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: IWC caliber 82110, automatic

[toc-section heading="Charles Leclerc: Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari"]

As a brand ambassador, Charles Leclerc’s collection of Richard Mille watches is far from sparse. Scuderia Ferrari’s highly skilled and competitive lead driver is even the proud owner of a special watch that was designed by the boundary-pushing brand in honor of his razor-sharp control and finesse behind the wheel – the RM 72-01 “Charles Leclerc”. However, the Monaco-born F1 driver has also been seen sporting the Ultra-flat RM UP-01 Ferrari. It’s perhaps one of the brand’s most futuristic creations to date, with a staggering 1.75mm thickness. 

The watch feels racetrack-ready and was born from a shared pursuit of performance between Richard Mille and Ferrari. The manual-winding Calibre RMUP-01 offers a 45-hour power reserve once fully wound and features grade 5 titanium-crafted bridges and baseplate, together with corrosion-resistant components and the ability to withstand up to 5000 Gs in acceleration. Designing it for speed, Richard Mille also equips the RM UP-01 Ferrari watch with a fast-rotating barrel that can improve torque and consistency. A nice finishing touch is the prancing horse motif laser-engraved into the watch’s lightweight case – a symbol that nods to Ferrari’s iconic Cavallino Rampante logo.

Price: $1.75 million, Case Size: 51mm, Thickness: 1.75mm, Water Resistance: 10m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Caliber RMUP-01

[toc-section heading="Pierre Gasly: H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition"]

Independent Swiss watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. has never chased heavy marketing strategies, so when Alpine Motorsports announced a partnership with the brand in 2024, it immediately felt different. This was a collaboration rooted in engineering and performance that deeply resonated with F1 Grand Prix winner and former Red Bull Racing driver Pierre Gasly.

As a key pillar of Alpine’s future, Gasly has built himself a reputation for resilience and raw pace with landmark victories that include the Monza 2020 championship. He also became the first individual athlete to be sponsored by H. Moser & Cie, and an endorser of the 43mm blue PVD-coated stainless steel chronograph. The model boasts a flyback chronograph movement through a skeletonized dial, developed by Agenhor, complete with helmet-shaped bridges and V-shaped structures that take inspiration from Formula 1 geometry. The watch is equally at home in the paddock as it is away from the circuit, thanks to its relatively minimalist aesthetic and contemporary-looking grey rubber strap. 

Case Size: 42.3mm, Thickness: 14.2mm, Water Resistance: 120m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: HMC 700

[toc-section heading="Lando Norris: Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle Automatic"]

Lando Norris arrived in Formula 1 as a prodigious talent and has since grown into one of the sport’s most compelling front-runners. His race victories, podium finishes, and a central role in McLaren’s competitive revival define his character, not to mention his love of Richard Mille Watches.

One particular favorite is the Richard Mille RM 72-02 in 18k rose gold. It’s a chronograph that distills the brand’s obsession with motorsport-grade engineering by shaving friction, cutting weight, and performing under pressure. The watch is powered by Richard Mille’s first-ever in-house chronograph movement. This patented flyback chronograph separates the timing function from the regular timekeeping, sending power directly from the barrel to the chronograph counters instead of stealing it from the seconds wheel. In simple terms, this means the chronograph runs smoother, engages instantly, and doesn’t affect the watch’s accuracy, even when it’s pushed hard and used repeatedly. Most RM movements are also custom-constructed for the case they’re intended for, and the same can be said for this one. The movement is mounted on elastomeric shock blocks within the brand’s signature tonneau-shaped case, promising exceptional shock resistance, accuracy, and absolute reliability under pressure.

Price: $280,000 upwards, Case Size: 38.4mm, Thickness: 11.68mm, Water Resistance: 30m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Caliber CRMC1

[toc-section heading="Valtteri Bottas: Sarpaneva x Valtteri Bottas Kilpisjärvi"]

Finnish racer Valterri Bottas made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013, quickly earning podiums and eventually joining Mercedes, where he notched ten Grand Prix victories and played a key role in five consecutive Constructors’ Championships alongside Lewis Hamilton. Bottas has always brought a quiet, disciplined intensity to his craft, and this temperament is often reflected in his taste for watches, namely the Sarpaneva x Valtteri Bottas Kilpisjärvi watch, which he designed in collaboration with the watchmaker.

Limited to just 17 pieces, this rugged 46 mm sports watch uses high-grade Finnish stainless steel with 200-meter water resistance and houses a modified Chronode automatic movement with a 60-hour power reserve. But that’s not all, the multi-layered, hand-finished skeletonized dial plays on themes of the Northern wilderness and Aurora Borealis, using five tones of Super-LumiNova to create an ever-changing display by night and day.

[toc-section heading="Yuki Tsunoda: Tudor Black Bay Ceramic “Blue”"]

The Tudor Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” is a compelling choice for Yuki Tsunoda. Originally created in the striking blue livery worn by the Visa Cash App RB team, this 41 mm matt black ceramic dive watch combines motorsport DNA with serious horological substance. Its METAS Master Chronometer-certified Calibre MT5602-1U delivers 70 hours of power reserve, Swiss chronometer precision, and resistance to magnetic fields, reflecting the durability and reliability you want on and off the track.

The striking blue dial and iconic “Snowflake” hands - a signature Tudor hallmark - give the watch undeniable character. Meanwhile, the hybrid rubber-and-leather strap gives the Black Bay a sporty feel, making it a perfect companion for a racing driver like Tsunoda, whose lifestyle sits at the intersection between speed and refined style.

Price: $5,150, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 14.4mm, Lug width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 200m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manufacture Caliber MT5602-1U

[toc-section heading="Esteban Ocon: Bianchet Flying Tourbillon Sport GMT"]

Last up is a watch built to master both the track and the tricky art of tracking global time — a fitting companion for Esteban Ocon, whose rise through the motorsport ranks showcases equal parts grit and exacting skill. The French driver became a FIA Formula 3 European Champion in 2014 and GP3 Series winner in 2015, earning his place on the Formula 1 grid in 2016. He hasn’t looked back since and continues to secure multiple podiums, scoring his maiden Grand Prix victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. His tenacity and racecraft have made him one of the most respected competitors on the grid. As he embarks on a new chapter with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, Ocon’s precision off the track is equally noteworthy.

At the “F1 75 Live” gala in London, he was spotted wearing the Bianchet B 1.618 Flying Tourbillon Sport GMT. It’s a watch that mirrors his pursuit of excellence. Crafted with a high‑density carbon case reinforced with titanium powder, it resists shocks up to 5000 G while remaining water‑resistant to 100 m. Its flying tourbillon and dual‑timezone function are as precise as the splits Ocon chases on a race weekend, while the open-worked dial makes it easy to read at a glance.

Case Size: 43mm, Thickness: 14.435m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: In-house Flying Tourbillon 60 seconds