Car Themed Watches: From Pit Lane to Wrist Game

Watches and cars have long shared a common garage — precision engineering, performance under pressure, and a love of mechanical beauty. Nowhere is that connection clearer than in the world of automotive-inspired watches. Whether it’s through official racing partnerships, nods to legendary motorsport events, or even playful video game racing, these timepieces channel the thrill of the track into something you can wear on your wrist.From classic chronographs to limited-edition collabs, these car-themed watches bring speed, style, and substance together
 

Chopard Mille Miglia “Monterey Historic”

Chopard’s Mille Miglia collection has celebrated the connection between classic cars and fine watchmaking since 1988, when the brand became the official timekeeper of Italy’s legendary Mille Miglia race. Nicknamed “the most beautiful race in the world,” the Mille Miglia ran from 1927 to 1961 and was revived as a vintage car rally in the late 20th century. Each Mille Miglia watch reflects the elegance and endurance of the cars that compete in the event. 
 

This particular edition, the Chopard Mille Miglia Ref. 8407, was made in 2000 to mark the Monterey Historic race in California. The titanium case measures 40mm across, paired with a black rubber strap that mimics tire treads. The carbon fiber dial includes a subdial labeled “Monterey Historic,” while the sapphire caseback is printed with “Monterey Historic August 2000.” Powered by the automatic Caliber 2849-2, this chronograph offers timekeeping, date, and stopwatch functionality, packaged in a lightweight, motorsport-ready design.
 

Hublot Big Bang King Power F1

From 2010 to 2012, Hublot served as the official watchmaker for Formula 1, a partnership that yielded a series of bold, high-tech chronographs inspired by the world’s premier racing series. These watches brought together Hublot’s oversized design language with materials and details lifted directly from F1 — right down to bezels modeled after brake discs and straps made with racing suit textiles.

One standout is the Big Bang King Power F1, Ref. 703.ZM.1123.NR.FMO10. Limited to 500 pieces, this 48mm chronograph is housed in satin-finished zirconium and paired with a dual-layer strap made of black rubber and Nomex, the same fire-resistant material used in racing overalls. The chronograph bezel features a riveted design inspired by carbon brake rotors, while the skeletonized dial reveals the mechanical workings beneath. Inside ticks Hublot’s automatic Caliber HUB4100 with a 42-hour power reserve. As motorsport-themed watches go, this one pulls no punches in size, materials, or track-day energy.

Breitling Bentley Mark VI Complications 19

Breitling’s long-running collaboration with Bentley produced some of the most ambitious automotive-inspired watches on the market. The partnership began in 2002 and lasted nearly two decades, pairing British luxury motoring with Swiss chronometric prowess. Among the highlights is the Mark VI series — named after the first Bentley to roll off the Crewe production line — celebrated for its mix of classic design and mechanical complexity.

The Mark VI Complications 19, reference P1936212/Q540, is a showcase of that ethos. Its 42mm stainless steel case is fitted with a platinum bezel featuring a knurled edge that echoes the Bentley grille and dashboard accents. The brown copper-toned dial displays a full calendar with day, date, month, moonphase, and a chronograph, powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 19B. Between the platinum accents, crocodile leather strap, and intricate dial work, this is a watch that pairs old-world craftsmanship with automotive-inspired refinement.
 

IWC Ingenieur Mercedes AMG Edition

Born from IWC’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG, the Ingenieur IW322702 merges automotive engineering with Genta-era design. This 42.5mm sports watch pays tribute to the performance division of Mercedes-Benz with a full titanium build, which is lightweight, durable, and unapologetically technical. Produced between 2005 and 2009, this AMG edition is notable for its integrated bracelet and matte brushed surfaces. 

Inside is IWC’s in-house Caliber 80110, a rugged automatic movement with a shock-absorbing design, a nod to both motorsport performance and tool watch durability. The multi-layered black dial is subtly complex: a recessed center with the IWC logo, raised hour markers on a middle tier, a sloped outer ring with the minute track, and flashes of red accents. While the Ingenieur often sits in the shadow of Genta’s more famous creations, this reference proves the design’s strength.
 

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Mario Kart

TAG Heuer has long leaned into the motorsport world, but in 2022, the brand took a lighthearted detour with the launch of the Formula 1 Mario Kart Limited Editions. One of the two models released was this automatic chronograph (Ref. CAZ201E), a 44mm steel watch powered by the Caliber 16 and packed with details that Mario fans will catch immediately. 

Look closely and you’ll find a custom date window where blue shells, banana peels, and other familiar icons cycle through — a whimsical touch on a serious racing chrono. The black ceramic bezel is engraved with the Mario Kart logo, and the dial features checkered flag textures behind the red-accented subdials. Flip the watch over and you’ll see Mario again, etched into the solid caseback mid-race. Only 3,000 pieces were made, and while it may not shave seconds off your lap time, it will definitely get a few nods at the starting line.
 

Rolex Daytona

Few watches are as synonymous with motorsport as the Rolex Daytona. Introduced in 1963 and named after the high-speed Daytona International Speedway in Florida, the Cosmograph Daytona was built with racing in mind — from its tachymeter bezel for measuring speed to its robust chronograph movement.The early manual-wind Daytonas were eventually replaced in 1988 with larger, automatic models powered by Zenith El Primero-based movements, which marked a turning point in the collection’s popularity. In 2000, Rolex introduced its own in-house chronograph caliber, further solidifying the Daytona’s status as a serious tool watch.
 

Today, the Daytona is a fixture at the highest levels of racing: Rolex is the official timekeeper of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the title sponsor of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Whether in vintage steel, modern ceramic, or precious metal variations, the Daytona continues to represent precision, endurance, and the thrill of the track — a true racing icon on the wrist.
 

Automotive Watches at Gray & Sons

Whether you’re into vintage-inspired chronographs or cutting-edge collaborations, there’s a timepiece out there that captures the spirit of the drive.

At Gray & Sons, we offer a curated selection of pre-owned luxury watches, including auto-inspired pieces from Rolex, TAG Heuer, Chopard, and more. Every watch is inspected, authenticated, and restored by Swiss-trained watchmakers. Explore our inventory online or visit our showroom to find a watch that moves you.