Breitling Aston Martin Partnership: Automotive Watches

Key Points from the Discussion

• Aston Martin has a new watch partner, Lorige, which distinguishes itself by fabricating watch cases and dials from actual carbon/carbon brake pads used in race cars, offering a tangible connection to motorsports.
• The material used by Lorige, derived from galvanized race car brake pads, is denser, heavier, and cleaner than forged carbon found in other luxury watches, such as AP's Alinghi Team Chronograph.
• Many automotive-watch partnerships are primarily marketing plays, with 'shared values' often being superficial, which can lead to lower secondary market values for the co-branded watches.
• Some collaborations, like the Amvox 2, manage to create watches that are genuinely appreciated by collectors despite the broader trend of underperforming partnerships.
• There is a perceived genuine interest from drivers and team principals in helping design watches across various price points that are relevant to motorsports concepts, citing Tudor and Racing Bulls as a positive example.
• While the concept of using race-worn materials is compelling, the visual execution from pictures might leave some collectors wanting to see the watches in person before forming a definitive opinion.