Patek Phillipe’s new classic driver’s watch

Think driver’s watches and the name of Patek Philippe might not spring instantly to mind, but the revered high-end Genevan maker has a certain amount of form when it comes to creating timepieces for automobilists.

Back in the 1930s it produced a small number of rectangular, wedge-shaped watches with dials that sloped down from the 12 o’clock position, so they could be read without the need for wearers to let go of their steering wheels.

But the most important Patek driver’s watch was a one-off made for Count Felice Trossi, the aristocrat racer, aviator and speedboat ‘pilot’ who became the first president of Scuderia Ferrari in 1932 – at the age of 24.

Five years after his election the young count was pictured on the cover of the team magazine wearing his single-pusher chronograph over the pristine white cuff of a contrastingly dark, button-down shirt – a horological style trope adopted many years later by Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli.

Trossi’s watch was also ahead of the curve in terms of its size. In an era when most men’s wristwatches rarely measured more than 34mm in diameter, the ‘Trossi Leggenda’ (as it was dubbed) boasted a stonking 46mm case, making it the largest single-button chronograph ever made by Patek – and helping it to achieve £2.2m at auction in 2008.

Less expensive (but still £POA) is the Patek Philippe 1948 Nations Grand Prix, a watch unveiled this spring and being offered in an edition of just 10. Based on the simple Calatrava model, each example features a dial that captures a scene from the 1948 Nations Grand Prix – a long-forgotten race staged in Geneva from 1946-50 – with the cars being depicted using 17 colours of grand feu enamel against a backdrop of the city’s famous jet d’eau.

More practical (and more attainable, if not exactly cheap) is the new 6007G. Another take on the celebrated Calatrava design, this one is intended as a Patek Philippe for daily wear and features a carbon fibre pattern on both the dial centre and the leather strap.

A choice of yellow, red or blue detailing complements the carbon look to give the watch a racy vibe, while a look through the sapphire crystal case back reveals Patek’s 26-330SC self-winding movement. At 40mm and with a crisp, no-nonsense dial the watch is practical and easy to read while still being slim at just 9.1mm.

It might seem expensive for a simple, three-hand watch but the case is made from polished white gold and, despite being in the ‘entry level’ region of Patek’s line-up, it gets the maker’s seal of quality that is said to require higher standards of fit, finish, craftsmanship and functionality than demanded by other, independent tests.

Patek Philippe Calatrava 6007G, £30,480.patek.com

The Monaco was launched in 1969 as the world’s first water-resistant, square-cased chronograph. The name wasn’t chosen because of the principality’s links with motor sport, but because it evoked a sense of glamour at a time when the maker was trying to attract wealthier buyers. The Monaco became better connected with Le Mans after Steve McQueen wore one in his 1971 film Le Mans, an association that has resulted in the watch being produced in numerous guises. This one, launched at the Monaco Grand Prix, is the first skeletonised version.

TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton, from £9,500 (approx). tagheuer.com

Singer Reimagined has created this new 24-hour chronograph in honour of the centenary of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Based on the livery of the Team Jota Porsche 963 Hypercar, the watch features a titanium case and contains a special version of the Track1 central chronograph movement with a 24-hour recording feature. Comprising 477 parts, the mechanism retains the standard model’s system of rotating ceramic discs. Just 24 examples of the Track1 Endurance will be made.

Singer Track1 Endurance, £63,000 (approx). singerreimagined.com 

Precision is written by renowned luxury goods specialist Simon de Burton