As the pinnacle of single-seater, open-wheel motorsport, Formula 1 attracts the biggest brands, who are keen to partner with teams and drivers. Watchmakers have especially been battling for a long time to impress viewers by partnering with different drivers to showcase their latest collections.
The sport has seen the likes of Tag Heuer, IWC, Rolex, and Richard Mille give their watches to drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and many others.
Now, Swiss luxury watch brand Bianchet has entered into a partnership with Haas’ 2025 driver Esteban Ocon. They announced it via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The 2021 Hungarian GP winner was sporting a $72,500 worth Flying Tourbillon Grande Date Red to commemorate this alliance. The watch is entirely made of carbon fiber and has a B 1.1618 movement display.
We are delighted to welcome #EstebanOcon to the #Bianchet family. His dedication, talent, and pursuit of perfection make him the ideal ambassador for our brand. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of artisanal innovation and performance! #Formula1 #F12025 pic.twitter.com/piBz2POfHi
— BIANCHET (@BianchetWatches) March 11, 2025
Getting Ocon to sign up for this project would have been an easy choice to make for Bianchet. While driving for Alpine, the #31 driver was endorsing H. Moser & Cie — the official timepiece partners of the team.
However, as the Haas F1 team doesn’t have a watch partner, the Frenchman could sign this deal without conflicting with any of the team’s existing sponsors, which turned out to be a win-win for all the parties involved. In fact, Sauber, Williams, and Haas are the only three teams on the grid that do not have a watch partner.
Naturally, out of the available options, for a brand like Bianchet, joining forces with a proven Grand Prix winner in Ocon has turned out to be their biggest acquisition yet. Moreover, given how Haas performed last season, with a P7 finish in the standings, they look like a team on the rise.
With Ocon and rookie Ollie Bearman as their driver lineup, the Kannapolis-based team is looking to build on their strong results from last year going into 2025. Further, with a more stable financial future for the team, they will be aiming for a top midfield finish in 2025 — which will only add to the marketability of Bianchet.
