This Sunday, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will heat up again for the 105th running of the Indy 500. The race is considered the biggest motorsport event in North America. To come out on top, drivers have to prove they’ve got the speed and timing to win. Maybe that’s why so many Indy racers have a soft spot for luxury timepieces.
One prime example is last year’s champion, Takuma Sato, who has a collection of at least 25 watches. The driver owns a signature model of the radio-controlled, solar-powered Seiko Ignition. The Japanese brand launched the model in Sato’s honor in the early 2000s. You’ll also spot this champion driver wearing watches from Breitling. A few of his favorites from this brand include the Premier B01 and the Super Chronomat B01.
Simon “Le Patron“ Pagenaud, on the other hand, prefers high-tech watches. It’s no surprise that the famous driver has teamed up with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille. Pagenaud’s favorite model is the RM 11-02 Automatic Flyback Chronograph with a GMT function. Apparently, he likes the watch so much that he was utterly unimpressed when he received an exclusive limited-edition TAG Heuer Carrera 01 Formula 1 Indy 500 after winning in Indianapolis in 2019.
Six-time IndyCar champion and two-time Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon is another Richard Mille fan. His model of choice is the RM 11-03. Before the driver found Richard Mille, Dixon had a very close relationship with Swiss luxury watchmaker Louis Moinet. The manufacturer released the Scott Dixon Chronograph in honor of the driver’s IndyCar championship win in 2019.
It’s not just the men on the track who appreciate a fine timepiece. Female racer Simona de Silvestro also has a penchant for beautiful timekeepers. You can frequently find her sporting a chronograph gifted to her by French brand BRM. The watch was part of a strictly limited run of just 78 pieces. Some of her other favorites include the TAG Heuer Carrera 36 Flyback and Chronotimer from Porsche Design.
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