The 2025 F1 season is officially underway! The testing has been done and all the new cars and drivers are set to start the season in Melbourne. This year also kicks off with a brand new pairing in Ferrari with seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton joining the prince of Scuderia Ferrari, Charles Leclerc. Known as Tifosi, Ferrari fans are understandably excited for the season and are looking forward to winning a championship title this year. But as they say, in F1 your biggest competitor is your teammate. Lewis and Charles, both extremely skilled drivers in red, will fight for the trophy this season in the same livery. While it is difficult to predict a winner in the Formula 1 battle of Lewis Hamilton vs Charles Leclerc, we want to take a look at who has the better watch collection today.
Watches have long been a signature accessory for the F1 drivers. After 12 years away, TAG HEUER has now returned as official timekeeper of the sport for 2025. Further adding another feather to its cap, the watch brand also sponsors the Red Bull Oracle racing team; however, they are not alone in the realm of horology giants sponsoring Formula 1 racing teams. Notably, IWC sponsors the Mercedes AMG Petronas, while Richard Mille sponsors Ferrari, McLaren, and more. These partnerships extend beyond the grid, and both Hamilton and Leclerc often rock their sponsored watches as well as other timepieces they love when out and about.
Lewis Hamilton vs Charles Leclerc: Who will win the battle of watches?
The exquisite watch collection of Charles Leclerc
Richard Mille RM67-02 ‘Charles LeClerc’
POLE!!! Was pushing to the limit and some. Let’s see about the gearbox but we’ll give it everything tomorrow pic.twitter.com/1xlbQdvmYT
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 22, 2021
Charles Leclerc loved flaunting his Richard Mille RM67-02 ‘Charles LeClerc’ until it got stolen during a fan signing event in 2022. This sports watch is sleek and lightweight, with a focus on performance and versatility. The case, made of Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT®, has an unique layered texture and provides great strength and durability. The red and white colour palette is inspired by Leclerc’s Monégasque heritage and represents his national flag.
The CRMA7 calibre powers the skeletonised dial, which is precision-machined from titanium, DLC-coated, and hand-painted. The watch weighs only 32 grams and is Richard Mille’s lightest automated timepiece, due to TPT composites, grade 5 titanium components, and an ultra-elastic comfort strap. The RM 67-02 is the perfect example of an elegant yet high-performance sports watch, with water resistance up to 30 meters. The watch was priced at around USD 300,000.
Richard Mille UP-01 ‘Ferrari’
Both Charles and his former Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. served as models for the slim and stylish Richard Mille UP-01 ‘Ferrari’ when it first debuted. The RM UP-01 Ferrari is a ultra-flat masterpiece, measuring only 1.75mm thick — a real masterpiece of horological innovation. This limited-edition timepiece (of only 150 available pieces) with a price tag of USD 1,750,000 was created in partnership with Ferrari and symbolises both brands’ commitment to perfection, precision, and innovation.
The RM UP-01 Ferrari, which features a manual winding movement with hours, minutes, and a function selector, redefines watch mechanics by putting technology before aesthetics. Its sleek, simple design represents Ferrari’s sporting grace and unwavering performance, making it an instantly recognisable example of cutting-edge craftsmanship.
Richard Mille RM35-03 ‘Rafael Nadal’
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Richard Mille’s RM35-03 ‘Rafael Nadal’ watch was inspired by the collection of RM 027 Tourbillon watches worn by the tennis legend on the field. Beloved F1 racer Charles Leclerc has worn the USD 265,000 watch on multiple occasions both on and off the paddock.
The RM 35-03 is made of grade 5 titanium and treated with black PVD and electroplasma for great durability and precision. It has a skeletonised automatic movement with hours, minutes, seconds, a sport mode, and a function selector. It is the ultimate mix of technical mastery and sports elegance, designed for individuals who seek the highest level of performance.
Richard Mille RM 72-01 Flyback Chronograph
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Of late, Leclerc has been seen flaunting his RM 72-01 Flyback Chronograph. The wristwatch perfectly balances history and innovation, reflecting Richard Mille’s 20-year expertise. It features the brand’s first in-house flyback chronograph, with a proprietary mechanism that optimally distributes torque throughout its counters, assuring continuous timekeeping.
This USD 195,000 timepiece features a skeletonised automatic movement. Its complications include bidirectional winding, hours, minutes, tiny seconds, and date displays, a flyback chronograph, a function indicator, and stop seconds. The baseplate and bridges are made of grade 5 titanium which has been micro-blasted and electroplasma-treated for excellent rigidity and precision. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the RM 72-01 has a timeless appearance, making it a statement piece that combines technical skill and contemporary beauty.
Richard Mille RM 61-01 ‘Ultimate Edition’
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Another timepiece that often features on Charles’ wrist is the RM 61-01, a limited edition of 150 pieces, completing the model’s six-year legacy. Designed for high-performance athletes, the Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT® cases are made of 600 ultra-thin layers of composite material, revealing a unique pattern on each watch. The extended casing (2 to 5 o’clock) reduces wrist friction, and the Carbon TPT® crown guard ensures durability during extreme activities.
Its core is a finely skeletonised calibre with PVD-treated grade 5 titanium components, black-galvanised balance bridges, and a variable inertia balance wheel that oscillates at 4 Hz. With a 55-hour power reserve and an impact resistance of over 5,000 g, the RM 61-01 is designed for unparalleled performance and endurance. This exclusive wrist accessory can go for around USD 750,000 to 800,000.
The ‘GOAT-ed’ watch collection of Lewis Hamilton
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ‘Lewis Hamilton’ Edition
Thanks to Hamilton’s 12 year long career with the Mercedes F1 team, the driver owns multiple IWC watches. The brand even has exclusive designs dedicated to the bejeweled career of the 7-time world champion. In Monza 2022, Lewis rocked the The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ‘Lewis Hamilton’ Edition which is a stunning limited edition of 100 pieces that unites strong design with cutting-edge watchmaking. Encased in 46.5mm black ceramic, it has a see-through sapphire case back and a screw-in crown for 6-bar water resistance.
The timepiece is powered by the IWC 52615 calibre, an automated movement with a 7-day (168-hour) power reserve and a Pellaton winding system that runs at 28,800 VPH (4.0 Hz). It has a perpetual calendar that displays the date, day, month, year, and moon phase in both hemispheres, as well as a power reserve indicator and little hacking seconds.
The deep red dial, paired with a burgundy textile strap (22mm width), exudes an unmistakable presence, and reflects Lewis Hamilton’s signature style. With Côtes de Genève finishing and 54 jewels, this timepiece is a fusion of precision engineering and bold elegance.
IWC Black Lives Matter Ceratanium IW5030BLM
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Ceratanium ‘Black Lives Matter’ is an exceptionally rare prototype developed in partnership with Lewis Hamilton to promote the BLM movement. This model, one of just three known pieces, was created for Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas along with a perpetual calendar variant (IW5030BLM) for Hamilton.
Encased in 46mm Ceratanium, this one-of-a-kind timepiece blends the lightweight nature of titanium with the durability of ceramic. It houses the automated Calibre 51111, which delivers reliable performance. The all-black dial and prototype rubber strap, the first of their sort on an IWC Big Pilot, emphasise the watch’s futuristic and purposeful appearance. The IWC ‘BLM’ Big Pilot is a symbol of harmony and innovation, representing craftsmanship and exclusivity in the pursuit of significant change.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Boutique Edition
Another stunning piece in Lewis Hamilton’s watch collection is the IWC Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Boutique Edition. It is a limited edition of 250 pieces that combines aviation-inspired design with high-end watchmaking. The mechanism is housed in a 48.6mm black ceramic case and has a screw-in crown and sapphire glass with double-sided anti-reflective coating, ensuring 6-bar water resistance and durability in harsh environments.
This automated movement, powered by IWC’s Calibre 51614, operates at 21,600 VPH (3.0 Hz) and has a power reserve of 7 days (168 hours). The watch’s perpetual calendar automatically calculates the date, day, month, year, and moon phase for both hemispheres, and the battery reserve indication maintains optimal performance.
The black dial and black calfskin strap (22mm wide) add to the watch’s discrete, tactical look, giving it the ideal combination of precision engineering, military sturdiness, and timeless elegance.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Black Chronograph Dial
In 2023, Hamilton attended a Lakers game and was sat next to Leonardo DiCaprio, showing off his ultra-expensive Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1R. The timepiece is a lavish version of the renowned Nautilus design, with a 40.5mm 18k rose gold case. Its black gradient dial, complemented with rose gold applied hour markers and hands, oozes refinement while maintaining excellent readability.
A distinguishing feature of this timepiece is its monocounter chronograph at 6 o’clock, which effortlessly merges 60-minute and 12-hour registers, improving both functionality and elegance. The 5980/1R is a real collector’s classic, combining athletic refinement with timeless craftsmanship.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar Blue Dial
The Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740/1G is the Nautilus collection’s first Grand Complication, flawlessly blending sporty elegance with horological excellence. It is a popular watch among athletes and celebrities, including Lewis Hamilton. As Patek Philippe’s thinnest perpetual calendar timepiece, it features a 40mm white gold case that is remarkably lightweight at just 8.42mm thanks to its ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 240 Q movement.
The blue sunburst dial, complete with gold attached hour markers and a luminous coating, ensures both sophistication and legibility. The perpetual calendar features hand-written day, date, month, leap year, and 24-hour markings.
With a sapphire crystal case back and a screw-down crown, this watch is water resistant up to 30 metres. Its white gold bracelet, which features a revolutionary fold-over clasp with a locked adjustment system, provides a secure and comfortable fit, making it a great accessory for both formal and casual occasions.
(Main and featured image: Dave Benett – Formula 1 / Getty Images)
This article first appeared on Prestige Singapore
