The special bond that is shared between man and machine has been evident since the very first production car. The automotive industry and the watch industry have shared a special connection for decades, with many watch brands drawing inspiration and even having collaborations with luxury motor vehicles.
In the early to mid 1900’s, race car drivers wore timepieces that would help them time laps and even calculate vehicle speed. Although in the modern world, wrist watches aren’t used as often as they used to be due to the latest accurate timing technology available, the watches still capture what has been a long lasting bond between the automotive and watch industries. With that being said, Watch Advice presents Four driving watches under $5000 Aud.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 – Calibre 16 – $3,950.00
It’s hard to look past TAG Heuer’s range of entry level driving inspired watches. The Formula 1 range from TAG Heuer ticks all the boxes for affordability while drawing inspiration for the aesthetic appeal of the watch from the racetrack. Inspired by extreme performance of Formula 1 teams, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 is one of the few models in the Formula 1 range that has an automatic movement.
The watch comes with a 44mm fine brushed and polished steel black PVD coated case, along with a black dial to suit. The white indexes and hands make readability of the watch easy due to the black and white color contrast. Three counters are also present; 12 hour counter at 6 o’clock, constant seconds counter at 9 o’clock and 30 minute counter at the 12 o’clock position.
The use of red accents throughout the watch including the chronograph pusher and crown does give the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 a more sporting look. This look is further enhanced with the addition of the driving inspired leather strap.
With a power reserve of 42 hours, the TAG Heuer Calibre 16 is a watch worth considering for thedriving enthusiast that wants a luxury watch with an automatic movement, without needing to break the bank.
ORIS Williams Engine, Date -$2,300.00
The Oris Williams Engine, Date is a unique piece in the Oris Motor Sport line up as it comes with a partially skeletonised dial in a 42mm stainless steel case. The Oris Williams range was made alongside the Formula 1 partner Williams. The designs for the timepieces in this collection reflect the motor sporting industry and this is more so evident with the Oris Williams Engine, Date.
The semi open-worked dial shows a glimpse of the heart of the movement, much like the engine in a Formula 1 car. There are arabic numerals in the centre of the dial done in a circular fashion to indicate 5 minute increments. The layout of these numerals make it seem like a speedometer on a motor vehicle.
The Oris Williams Engine, Date also comes with a date window (as the name suggests!) placed on the 6 o’clock position. The movement behind the Oris Williams Engine, Date is the Oris Calibre 733. This Calibre 733 is based of a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, which Oris have modified and now includes their iconic red rotor. The Calibre 733 movement gives out approximately 38 hours of power reserve and comes with a water resistance of 100m.
Bell and Ross BR V1-92 BELLYTANKER – $3,700.00
Bell and Ross’s Bellytanker BR v1-92 from the vintage series definitely likes to stand out, thanks to its beautiful orange toned dial. Bell and Ross love to have ties to aviation and the automotive industry and the BR V1-92 Bellytanker is no different.
The word “Bellytanker” originated from a type of hot rod that was known for salt-flats racing and speed record attempts. These Bellytanker hot rods were designed with only the bare necessities in mind, with all the non essentials in the motor vehicle being stripped off.
The Bell and Ross BR V1-92 Bellytanker with its simplistic dial is no different. Chronograph counters and tachymeter bezels have been stripped off the watch to show only the time and date. The date window is very subtly placed between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions. The 38.5mm casing size may be a little on the small size, however since the dial is uncluttered this doesn’t affect the overall appeal of the watch. Bell and Ross have used the automatic calibre BR-Cal 3.02 for the V1-92 Bellytanker, which has been based of the SW300-1 movement. The BR-Cal 3.02 has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
TAG Heuer Autavia ISOGRAPH -$4,7000.00
Created in 1933, the TAG Heuer Autavia was the first dashboard instrument designed with inspiration from the automobile and aviation industry for the watch brand. The story goes that Jack Heuer decided to create a wrist watch chronograph after he took part in a disappointing rally which resulted from a unclear dial on the watch he was wearing at the time. This is how the original bold, modern and stylish Autavia came to fruition.
The modern day TAG Heuer Isograph has a revolutionary design which includes the new proprietary state-of-the-art oscillator. With a 42mm diameter casing, a bi-directional bezel and a large crown, the TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph can be adjusted even while wearing driving gloves.
The engine behind the TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph is the Isograph Swiss Made Chronometer. This Swiss Made Chronometer calibre is automatic winding and gives out a power reserve of approximately 38 hours.
Reinvented for the new generations, the TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph combines ground breaking technology with a simple yet functional design that is fit for any driving enthusiast.
