5 days ago
H. Moser & Cie's F1 Set Latest In The Hot World Of Race Watches
H. Moser & Cie's Streamliner Drivers Edition set.
Formula 1 racing is hotter than tennis and golf these days, certainly in terms of watch sponsorships. Several brands are getting in on the action by sponsoring teams, race organizations, and individual races and, naturally, they are creating some great limited-edition watches to consolidate the connection. The fanbase for F1 is growing to include women and young people, thanks partly to Netflix's documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive, along with the upcoming movie F1, starring Brad Pitt.
The H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition.
One of the most recent watch collaborations to appear on the scene is a pair of racing models from H. Moser & Cie. The brand sponsors the BWT Alpine F1 team, which competes next on the track at the Canadian F1 Grand Prix in Montreal, June 13-14. The Streamliner model is the focus of limited editions associated with the team and the two newest come in a boxed set. The Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition is a skeletonized version of the sophisticated chronograph developed by Moser's partner, high-end movement maker Agenhor. The V-shaped bridges evoke the triangulated suspensions of single-seater cars, the rotor (which you can see on the dial side) echoes the lines of an Alpine A110 wheel rim, and the central bridge is shaped like a driver's helmet. The blue and white colour codes evoke speed and Alpine's signature identity. It's an easy-to-read format, with no subdials but a central minute and seconds display, and a sophisticated flyback function. The case is steel with blue PVD treatment.
The H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition.
The Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition is a smartwatch developed in close collaboration with the Alpine teams. Functions include a custom F1 mode, with countdown to the start and team alerts of the key moments for the Formula 1 season's races. It also has GMT, split seconds-chronograph and perpetual calendar functions. The two watches are themselves a team, as they are being sold together as a set for $70,000 in a presentation case (200 sets). Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie, describes the pair as 'a genuine, in-depth collaboration based on engineering considerations and not just marketing factors.'
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph
Other racing themed watches to appear recently include the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph. It is one of several limited editions celebrating this year's commencement of TAG Heuer's F1 Sponsorship and Official Timer status, previously held by Rolex. CHF 1,750 (about $2,126)
IWC Ingenieur SL Reference 1832
IWC made the watch that Brad Pitt wears in Apple TV's forthcoming F1, due in June. Pitt wears a prop watch based on the Ingenieur SL Reference 1832, which Pitt designed in a three-way collaboration with IWC and Cloister Watch Company, a design studio in New York City. $12,900
Richard Mille RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari
Finally, Richard Mille has long sponsored McLaren and Ferrari F1 teams, with several special editions designed for drivers, teams or races. The most recent is the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari. 75 pieces in microblasted titanium ($1,300,000) and 75 in Carbon TPT ($1,535,000). Design details were inspired by Ferrari engine blocks and crank cases.
