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FHH | The Quirky Backstory Of Car Inspired Watches
The Quirky Backstory Of Car Inspired Watches_1

Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory

Car Inspired Watches. Car Inspired Watches. Car Inspired Watches. Car Inspired Watches

11 November 2025

The Quirky Backstory Of Car Inspired Watches

education

by @watches_and_culture

Watches and cars — these two inspirational worlds — are commonly seen together on billboards and ads everywhere. But did you know that this bond already existed at the beginning of the 20th century and was more than just storytelling?


 

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In fact, several watch brands used automotive elements as pure inspiration for the design of their watches. The car industry has always been perceived as being at the forefront of innovation and therefore shares the same obsession as watchmaking — precision, performance, and cutting-edge engineering.


 

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Early examples came in the form of Bugatti-inspired watches made by Mido. The most recognizable element being the car grille — Mido used it to shape both the case and the dial of the watch, creating an unmistakable automotive aesthetic.


 

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But Mido wasn’t the only brand to design watches inspired by car grilles. One brand in particular excelled in this type of creation: Bueche-Girod.


 

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Bueche-Girod produced some amazing designs in partnership with renowned car manufacturers such as Lancia, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, and even Volvo. These watches were no gimmick — crafted in precious metals and produced in limited quantities, they were reserved for the most exclusive clientele.


 

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Like Tag Heuer and many others, in the 1970s Tissot embraced the world of car racing and developed several clocks and watches inspired by this thrilling universe — including one particularly funky-looking clock fixed right in the middle of a steering wheel.


 

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FUN FACT:
To celebrate their partnership in Formula 1 racing, Tag Heuer developed table clocks in the 1980s designed to look like racing helmets. Go check it out.