Category: formula 1

Hands-on – Bell & Ross Vintage BR V2-94 R.S.18 for Renault F1

It is no news anymore for most of us. Paris-based watchmaker Bell & Ross is teaming up with French F1 team Renault. This partnership, which started in 2016 (and that we’ve explained here and here), mostly gave birth to squared watches – after all, the shape that made the brand successful. However, not all of us want to sport such a bold watch on the wrist. This is why, in order to celebrate the reopening the French Grand Prix this year, Bell & Ross unveils the Vintage BR V2-94 R.S.18 for Renault F1. And this time, it is a (not so) classic round watch.

6 years ago

Interview – Valtteri Bottas talks Formula 1, (IWC) Watches and what may be Next

Following yesterday’s interview with Lewis Hamilton, it is now time to have some time with his team-mate, also a driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport: Valtteri Bottas. As a Finnish, I had the idea that this interview would turn different than with super-star Lewis. And unsurprisingly, it did. Same questions as for Lewis, same focus on racing, style, (IWC) watches – as Valtteri also wears driving gloves with the Big Pilot’s Watch printed on them – and about what may be next for him. Here we are with the second part of this interview where Valtteri Bottas talks to MONOCHROME.

6 years ago

Interview – Lewis Hamilton talks Formula 1, (IWC) Watches and what may be next

Just ahead of the French Grand Prix last weekend, I had the chance to sit down with two of the best drivers currently racing in Formula 1, both behind the wheel of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport W09: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. IWC is a major sponsor of team Mercedes, and both drivers wear gloves with the well-known Big Pilot’s Watch printed on them. So, as you can imagine, the interview steered onto the watch track and we can even tell you what watches both gentlemen might be designing one day with the brand… First part, Lewis talks to MONOCHROME.

6 years ago

Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 7 – Williams F1 and Oris

40 years, for some this feels like an eternity (I am only 33 years old) and for others it feels like next to nothing. Making it 40 years in life doesn’t require too much effort if you have no serious challenges. But to make it 40 years in the grueling sport of Formula 1 takes skill, determination, luck, good judgment, a lot of money and a clear vision. One of the most illustrious names in the business is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, so it is only fitting to include it into our Watches & Formula 1 saga; Williams F1 and their long-term watch partner, Oris.

7 years ago

Introducing – TAG Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Vestappen 2017 Limited Edition

Before you burn me on the stakes, yes, I am well aware this is a quartz watch and we very rarely cover these. This time I am being chauvinistic and taking a break from our self-implied guidelines to bring you a watch for the simple reason it is linked to a young Dutch hero to many of my fellow countrymen, and a rising Formula 1 star; Max Verstappen. Launched in Amsterdam just days ago, here is our hands-on report of the new Tag Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen Limited Edition.

7 years ago

Introducing – TAG Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen 2017 Limited Edition

Before you burn me on the stakes, yes, I am well aware this is a quartz watch and we very rarely cover these. This time I am being chauvinistic and taking a break from our self-implied guidelines to bring you a watch for the simple reason it is linked to a young Dutch hero to many of my fellow countrymen, and a rising Formula 1 star; Max Verstappen. Launched in Amsterdam just days ago, here is our hands-on report of the new Tag Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen Limited Edition.

7 years ago

Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 6 – McLaren & Richard Mille

McLaren: the winningest (is that a word?) constructor in Formula 1 after Ferrari, the second longest running team in the sport (with a continuous participation since 1966), producer of many memorable cars, host of legendary driver line-ups, and delivering championship contending cars through most of their history. Hitting a dry spell since 2015 though, the team has the resilience to get back on top, although talks of a McLaren-Honda split refuse to go away. As far as their timing partner is concerned though, relations seem much calmer. Richard Mille is a cutting-edge watch manufacturer, using the most advanced technology and exotic materials, and indeed is very similar in many ways to the image of this major F1 team.

7 years ago

Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 5 – The French Connection, Renault Sport F1 x Bell & Ross

Renault came into Formula 1 with a bang, which is to be taken quite literally. At a time where the rulebook seemed virtually limitless, the French manufacturer brought turbocharging into the mix. Fueled by an insatiable hunger for power, combined with ground effects aerodynamics and just about the most daring drivers Formula 1 has ever seen, the constructor pioneered its way to the top! Since 2016 they are back as a constructor and partnered with Bell & Ross, which seems like a very French match. Today we unravel the history of Renault in Formula 1 and why the connection to Bell & Ross is a very logical one.

8 years ago

Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 4 – TAG Heuer & Red Bull Racing, This Season’s BIG Surprise!

Let’s be honest, this past season of Formula 1 was not the most exciting between the usual suspects up front, just like the last three seasons have basically seen one team dominate the whole year. The battle within that team however was particularly exciting, right down to the final meters of the final lap of the final race. Amidst all that internal drama however a few teams and driver’s still managed to steal the absolute show! The talk of the town and the team and driver on everyone’s mind: Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen! This young Dutchman surprised everyone by pulling off a seemingly impossible achievement; becoming the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner. Along with his teammate, he was the only driver outside of Mercedes this season to clinch a victory, doing things on the track that no one has ever seen before! All of that is here to remind us about the partnership that goes along: TAG Heuer and Red Bull Racing – and the long history of Heuer into F1 timekeeping.

8 years ago

Formula 1 Driver Nico Rosberg Talks Sports with IWC Schaffhausen

Mere couple of days before barreling into the season’s closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One driver and IWC Schaffhausen ambassador, joined HRH Prince Abdulaziz Turki Al Faisal, himself a GT champion and IWC brand friend, for an intimate chat on racing and success.

8 years ago