The timeless link between watches and motorcycles

Tom Austin

Watches go hand-in-hand with several activities and pastimes, but the connection between watches and the petrolhead runs deep. We’ve discussed at length how the link between watches and cars is inextricable and how watches are deeply entrenched in motorsports and motoring history. But what about the two-wheeled variety? What about watches and motorcycles?

Beyond the garage: why motorcycling and watches share a mindset

I’d argue that motorcycles are even more linked to watches in specific ways. That connection between human and machine is undeniable; precision-engineered to operate with perfection, generate emotion and also look amazing while doing so. Cars have to appeal to a much wider audience with varied requirements, but bikes are considerably more focused in their purpose.

I’ve been a watch nut and a motorcyclist since childhood, and those who know me know I haven’t gone long without either. I clearly fall into the category I suspect several of you do, too: the one that makes us fascinated and desperately attached to particular things that give us a specific sensation. Watches give us that sense of enjoyment that not everyone else feels; it’s that “If you know, you know” thing. Bikes are the same. Those reading this right now who are two-wheeled fanatics will understand that exclusive, club-like feeling.

Speaking of clubs, the camaraderie within the watch fraternity at a local watch event is almost identical to that at the biker’s cafe on a Saturday morning. Everyone shares their stories, the special editions, and their hard-to-finds. Conversations with complete strangers spark up out of nowhere, leading to long friendships. There are some niche corners of the car world like this, but nowhere near as widespread as in motorcycling.

Where did it all begin?

It’s no secret that watches and motorsport are intrinsically connected – in fact, many iconic chronographs were created explicitly to time motorsport events. Despite what you may think, it hasn’t always been about cars, though. So, where do bikes and watches come together throughout history?

Looking back through the history books, it all comes back to racing. Motorcycle racing made its first appearance slightly before cars in the late 19th century, and, naturally, watches were put to use immediately for timing hillclimbs and trials racing. Further into the mid-20th century, we’d see brands like Omega and Heuer being heavily involved in timing top-level competitions, with pit crews also using chronographs to time sessions.

During Paris-Dakar Rally events, it’s common to see riders out in the wilderness with a Casio G-Shock strapped to their wrist —the perfect companion for a desert rally raid. Then, in the 1980s and 90s, you’d regularly see 24-hour endurance racers with watches strapped to the handlebars, timing stints in the dark as they couldn’t communicate with the team during races.

So what makes a great biker’s watch?

There’s no correct answer to this, really, other than whatever you like! It goes without saying that motorcycling in general is a fairly dangerous pastime, so anything that you really don’t want to lose or get damaged in a spill is probably worth leaving at home. However, I will say that back when I had a pretty nasty bike accident, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer I was wearing actually fared better than the wrist it was strapped to.

Realistically, though, whatever you choose to wear needs to be comfortable and relatively svelte on the wrist. Protective clothing can be pretty bulky, so it’s worth considering how thick the watch is and how it will sit in the awkward area between the gloves and the jacket sleeve. Also, if you’re a right-wrist wearer like me, that throttle-twisting action might get a little restricted when giving it the beans, if the watch is a little on the chunky side. Oh, and bikes tend to vibrate more than a jackhammer at full chat, so make sure it’s got some good shock resistance and a decent strap!

The twist of the wrist: motorcycle and watch brand collabs

I mentioned that there doesn’t necessarily have to be a specific kind of watch that suits motorcycling best, and the watch brands that have collaborated with motorcycle brands have proven this best. They’ve shown that taking their current models and altering them slightly to capture the essence of the brand and the bikes’ style is more than enough, but others take it to the next level.

Triumph and Breitling

2022 gave us probably one of the most notable bike & watch collaborations to date: the partnership between Breitling and the legendary British icon, Triumph Motorcycles. The initial collaboration began with a special-edition Top Time Chronograph featuring an icy-blue dial with a small Triumph logo that matched the tank of the awesome Triumph Speed Twin 1200.

Triumph took this one step further, though, releasing a highly collectable Breitling Edition, limited to just 270 bikes, showcasing Breitling embroidery on the seat, hand-painted logos on the paintwork, and even the Breitling “B” engraved into the engine.

It didn’t stop there. In 2024, Triumph released another Breitling Edition bike, this time in the form of the monstrous Speed Triple 1200. Again limited to 270 bikes, this 155mph missile featured hand-painted coachlines covering the swathes of carbon fibre, and hand-finished Breitling logos throughout.

The bike launched in conjunction with a special-edition titanium Breitling Chronomat 401 42mm, which once again featured a subtle Triumph badge alongside a bold, forged carbon fibre dial with rose gold accents.

The cool thing about the Triumph Breitling special editions is that they manage to capture the classic feel of the brand, without going too overboard with the styling, and it’s awesome to see Triumph managing to capture the essence of Breitling on their bikes. Seeing that this is a long-term partnership, expect to see more special-edition Breitlings and Triumphs soon.

Deus Ex Machina and Breitling, too

Since 2021, Breitling has also been collaborating with Deus Ex Machina, the renowned Australian motorcycle customiser/surf outfitter/fashion label, having produced a trio of Top Time models sporting Deus’ “In Benzin Veritas” motto, as well as an exclusive range of Deus x Breitling merch, which the watchmaker exclusively offers at six Breitling flagships around the world (Seoul Hannam, New York Madison Avenue, Milan, London New Bond Street, London Regent Street and of course, Sydney).

Brough Superior and Richard Mille

In July this year, a release slipped way under the radar: a collaboration between Richard Mille and another historic legend of motorcycling, Brough Superior. Initially, Brough Superior bikes were produced for only 20 years, from 1919 to 1939; however, in 2013, the brand was resurrected, creating a new line of fascinating and unique bikes, plus incredible special editions for the likes of Aston Martin. All of the bikes are low-production, handmade specials, so what better brand to collaborate with than Swiss luxury techno-watch specialists Richard Mille?

The result is the RMB01, and this is definitely not just a bike with some logos thrown on here and there; it’s essentially a Richard Mille for the road. It’s a bike that Richard Mille had a direct hand in designing, drawing inspiration from the watch brand’s obsession with lightweight materials and otherworldly concepts. From the carbon fibre exoskeleton chassis, to the visible mechanical speedometer, and assembled rims replicating the layering of gears in watch movements. Ironically, the RMB01 comes in at a lower price than even some Richard Mille’s, at a cool US$235,000.

Ducati and Bulgari (and Gerald Charles, and Tudor…)

The Italians certainly know how to make a bike, that’s for sure. Ducati is one of the most famous motorcycle brands in the world, and over recent years, has leveraged its MotoGP watch sponsors such as Bulgari and Gerald Charles to produce some interesting pieces, and of course, they’re very red.

In 2013, Tudor announced the Fastrider Black Shield to celebrate the launch of the new Ducati XDiavel. That was an instant hit, but a couple of years later, Ducati quietly collaborated with Tudor for another Fastrider Chrono. Looking back, it’s quite the departure from where the brand is now in terms of style ten years on, but it clearly laid the foundations for what was to come. These days, Tudor makes headlines when it releases a colourfully dialled chrono, but here, they dropped three vibrant colourways which went pretty far under the radar. The Ducati Scrambler was the inspiration, a new playful machine with varying colourways and an exciting new direction for the brand, so Tudor set to work encompassing this look into the Fastrider Chrono.

Next up is the Bulgari Aluminium Ducati Special Edition Chronograph from 2022. At the heart of it, the watch is a standard Aluminium Chronograph, but features a bold Ducati Rosso Corsa red dial with special subdials that resemble those on a Ducati. The dial also features some sporty italic hour markers and printing, because italics are faster, naturally.

However, Ducati’s next collaboration piece is still red, but is a bit more serious. The most iconic Ducati ever produced is the 916, a game-changing, legendary bike that dominated the race circuit and streets alike. In 2024, they joined forces with Gerald Charles to create the Maestro 4.0 Ducati 30° Anniversario 916, a watch characterised by the iconic Maestro case designed by Gérald Genta. Housed inside a forged carbon fibre case, the dial features a gold 3-spoked jumping-hour wheel, directly inspired by the iconic 3-spoked wheels of the 916, designed by the legendary Massimo Tamburini.

Shameless self-plug: Royal Enfield and Time+Tide

These days, Time+Tide is a global business with Discovery Studios in Melbourne, London, and (soon) New York, but Time+Tide’s first office was actually a motorcycle garage in Melbourne’s inner west. Specifically, it used to be home to a Royal Enfield dealer, with the British motorcycle brand moving next door to our office as we moved in. And back in 2019, we even collaborated with the dealer on our very own bike – the Royal Enfield Stealth Black Time+Tide Special Edition – which we gave away to celebrate the launch of our print magazine.

We modded it just how we liked, with a leather solo saddle, a mean matte black Moto Wings Performance exhaust and custom bar-end mirrors to complement the low, retro style of the timeless, ever-badass Royal Enfield Classic 500. We even added a Paul Newman-esque reminder/quote on the handlebars: “Ride Carefully Me”.

Closing thoughts

There’s no doubt that motorcycles encompass that rebel lifestyle. The freedom you get from owning and riding a bike is like nothing else. Whether you’re a 17-year-old with a chicken-chaser or a born-again biker with a middle-aged spread, the essence is the same: riding a bike is a conscious choice to live slightly outside the lines. It’s impractical, a little dangerous, and completely intoxicating.

Watches share that same energy. In 2025, nobody needs a mechanical chronograph to time a lap or a rally stage. Just like nobody needs a superbike to commute to work. And yet, we do it anyway. Because these objects aren’t about a need, they’re about a feeling. They’re statements of independence, of going against the grain in a world where everything is digital, disposable, and sanitised.

That’s where the kinship lies. Both watches and motorcycles are mechanical rebellions against convenience culture. They’re built around engineering purity, tactile interaction, and a community that thrives on passion more than logic. Being passionate about either of them places you in a tribe that is slightly different from the rest.

So whether it’s a roaring V-twin beneath you or a beating balance wheel on your wrist, you’re embracing a lifestyle where precision meets passion.