As the Formula 1 season approaches with the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, several watch brands have released new racing-themed timepieces. These include collaborations with drivers and teams, featuring limited editions and smart features tailored for fans. The releases highlight a mix of luxury, nostalgia, and functionality.
The Esquire article, published on March 4, 2026, spotlights eight standout racing-inspired watches released so far this year. With Formula 1 excitement building, brands like IWC, Tissot, and TAG Heuer have drawn from motorsport heritage to create pieces that blend style and utility.
IWC Schaffhausen partnered with Mercedes driver George Russell for the Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41, featuring his helmet's blue color and driver number 63 engraved on the caseback. The chronograph uses Ceratanium for the crown and pushers, a patented titanium-ceramic alloy. Limited to 1,063 pieces, it is priced at £10,100.
Tissot's T-Race MotoGP Special Edition offers two models: an automatic with a skeletonised Valjoux A05.951 movement and a slimmer quartz version, both on red rubber straps. Prices are £1,950 for the automatic and £630 for the quartz.
As Formula 1's official timekeeper, TAG Heuer launched the Connected Calibre E5 45mm x Formula 1 Edition. Its 'race track' face mirrors Grand Prix circuits, displaying digital time with a moving dot for seconds, plus the current race name and flag. It includes smartwatch functions like heart rate and sleep tracking, priced at £2,150.
Citizen revived the Ana-Digi Temp in collaboration with Honda to mark the Honda Prelude's return. The dashboard-like design has twin analogue dials, LCD displays, and a thermometer, with subtle Prelude branding. It costs ¥45,000, about £250.
Breitling's new partnership with Aston Martin introduces the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43, limited to 1,959 pieces referencing the team's 1959 F1 entry. It features a carbon fibre dial in a subdued Aston Martin green, available for pre-order at £8,900.
Seiko's 5 Sports x Supercars Limited Edition SSK057K is the first GMT watch for the Supercars Championship, celebrating 10 years with Team 18. With a carbon-fibre dial and red accents, it is priced at AUD $850 in Australia and includes a collector's box.
Casio's Edifice Sospensione x Honda commemorates the 60th anniversary of Honda's 1965 F1 win with the RA272 car. It has a white leather strap with red lining, red dial accents, and Honda branding, plus automatic time adjustment and calendar functions. Available in the US for $400, about £300.
These watches cater to fans seeking to connect with racing through wearable tributes, from affordable options to high-end limited editions.