The countdown to the 2026 Formula 1® season has begun! To celebrate, we’re introducing you to one of their iconic horological sponsors: Breitling.
The 8th of March marks the start of the new Formula One season, and it is shaping up to be a thrilling one! New machinery, new teams, and new circuits have all been added to the world’s most popular motorsport, and all eyes are on the 22 drivers competing for this year’s World Drivers’ Championship.
Where our gaze drifts, however, is to their wrists! Formula One races are marquee events on everyone’s calendar, but they are also grand showcases for the watch industry. Formula One and watchmaking have long been intertwined, a cocktail of heritage, innovation, and luxury branding.
As the grid lines up, we at Watch Advice are celebrating with The Formula 1® Watch Week. Part history lesson, part watch-spotting, we are introducing the iconic brands that sponsor this remarkable sport. Today, we are shining a light on Breitling, the newest player in the pit lane.
Breitling’s History With Formula 1®
Two icons of speed finally share the same grid.
For the very first time, Breitling enters the Formula 1®paddock as they partner with Aston Martin and Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team as the Official Watch Partner. For more than a century, the stories of the two brands have moved in parallel with each other. Breitling has long mastered the art of measuring time, while Aston Martin continues to push the boundaries of performance on the road and track.
Now, this joint partnership brings these shared values together in the world’s most competitive motorsporting stage, uniting precision engineering with performance-driven design and the pursuit of excellence that drives both of these giants in their fields.
Just like Breitling with its Swiss watchmaking pedigree, Aston Martin is a name that has long stood for British high-performance, elegance, and motorsporting history. While Aston Martin certainly had the performance, the brand wasn’t renowned for just building high-performance vehicles.
Aston Martin produced cars that looked, sounded, and felt incredible, machines that were designed to stir emotion. Much like Breitling has with their iconic collections throughout the years, built not just for precision, but to evoke emotions of confidence and desire.
While this is a new venture for Breitling, with Aston Martin being the first car manufacturer they have sponsored in Formula 1®, it just seems like a naturally fitting partnership. Personally, I’m really excited about this partnership and happy to see that Breitling finally made it onto the track. With so much motorsporting pedigree, it’s only fitting that Breitling deserves a seat at the table.
With a brand new season just days away, the introduction of fresh regulations brings an added layer of anticipation for Aston Martin and its performance on track. In parallel, Breitling’s continued pursuit of innovation promises more compelling timepieces to come, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what they have in store, if their latest Aston Martin x Navitimer collaboration is anything to go by!
The Drivers & Their Watches
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso is one of Formula 1®’s most decorated and experienced drivers, having been in this high-octane sport for an incredible 22 seasons! The Spanish driver made his F1 debut in 2001 and quickly established himself as one of the grid’s most formidable talents, going on to secure back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006. Alonso is known for his consistency and relentless competitive mindset, locking horns with the best drivers on the grid for the past two decades.
Following numerous runs with Ferrari, McLaren, and Alpine, Fernando Alonso would go on to join Aston Martin in 2023, marking a brand new chapter in stellar career. He wasted no time making an impact with the Aston Martin team. In his debut season, Alonso delivered a series of strong performances, including podium finishes, helping to elevate Aston Martin further up the grid and reinforcing their ambitions of becoming a frontrunner.
Although Aston Martin may be looking like they have struggled with the new 2026 regulations during the testing phase, it’s all to play for with lights out in Melbourne in a short few days! Fernando Alonso’s 20+ years in the sport will no doubt come in handy in guiding the team forward. His ability to extract performance from the car, combined with his deep understanding of race strategy and development, positions him as a key figure in Aston Martin’s push towards the front of the grid.
Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll has been part of the Aston Martin project since its early days, first joining the team when it competed as Racing Point in 2019, before the official rebrand to Aston Martin in 2021. The Canadian-born driver first made his debut in Formula 1® in 2017, becoming one of the youngest drivers on the grid at the time.
Despite his age, Lance Stroll has shown flashes of his potential, including a podium finish in his rookie season. Since becoming an Aston Martin driver, he has been a consistent performer for them. While he’s had his ups and downs, as would any newcomer to the sport, he has gained valuable experience, evolving with Aston Martin as the seasons pass.
One of his standout performances came in 2020 at the Sakhir Grand Prix, where he secured a podium finish, demonstrating his ability to capitalise on opportunities in challenging race conditions. He has also gained a reputation for being a strong driver in wet-weather, frequently outperforming his car’s potential in rainy conditions. Over the years, Lance Stroll has continued to develop his racecraft, adapting to the demands of Formula 1 at the highest level.
Looking ahead, Lance Stroll remains an integral part of Aston Martin’s long-term vision. With evolving regulations and a brand new car this season, he has a chance to further establish himself on the grid and deliver winning performances for Aston Martin. As Aston Martin pushes to become a front-running contender, Stroll’s role alongside Fernando Alonso will be crucial in supporting that ambition and contributing to the team’s overall performance throughout the season.
The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team
With this being Breitling’s first season with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, they have only released one timepiece since the partnership’s announcement. But what a timepiece to start!
The first timepiece to celebrate this wonderful new partnership is none other than a Navitimer. There honestly isn’t a more fitting choice from Breitling, with the Navitimer being one of the most iconic timepieces in the world of watchmaking. I recently did a deep dive into the various subcultures Breitling is involved in through its watchmaking, and the Navitimer has playing a role not only in aviation but also in motorsport too!
Breitling has specifically limited the production of this new Navitimer to 1,959 models, representing the year of Aston Martin’s first stint in Formula 1®. Every element of the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team has been designed aesthetically to reflect the passion for performance from both powerhouses. The timepiece is beautifully decorated, with Aston Martin Racing Green and lime accents drawn from the Aston Martin Aramco livery shown throughout the watch.
For this very special creation, Breitling has given the Navitimer a ‘world first’. This Navitimer comes exclusively with a lightweight titanium case, making it stronger and more comfortable on the wrist compared to the standard edition. Again, this use of lightweight titanium and carbon-fibre is a reference to the high-tech materials used in Formula 1®.
As this partnership continues to evolve, we can expect to see a range of exclusive releases throughout the multi-year collaboration, celebrating the shared connection between time and speed on motorsport’s biggest stage.