TVR’s unique ‘White Elephant’ is a mammoth of the marque

Baresi & Caine 

Honda has licensed UK motorcycle engineer/historian George Beale to make 60 watches commemorating the 60th anniversary of the RC164 motorcycle of 1964 that set the marque on the road to grand prix glory. Just 25 RC164s were made but, in the 1980s, Honda gave Beale permission to build 10 recreations of the near-identical RC174. The steel Stella watch, left, features dials applied with a gold Honda wing and gold winding rotors. Beale compares the micro mechanics of horology with the jewel-like engineering of the tiny Honda racer. Baresi & Caine Honda RC164 Stella, £28,000. hondasix.com

Laurent Ferrier

If less is more, look no further than the creations of Laurent Ferrier, a former racing driver who competed seven times at Le Mans, achieving third overall in 1979 in a Porsche 935. By then, Ferrier was an accomplished watchmaker with Patek Philippe. In 2008 he established his own dial name majoring in exquisitely finished watches in tiny numbers – like the Sport Auto Blue, centre, left. Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto Blue, £42,750. laurentferrier.ch

Aera

Founded in 2022, Aera is a microbrand that’s coming into its own. Having launched with an initial range of pilot and diver watches, it’s now addressing the driver niche with the new C-1 chronograph models, available in Shadow format (black dial and black diamond-like carbon case), centre, middle, or as a Cloud model (matte-finish dial in light grey and a brushed stainless steel case). Both are 42mm in diameter and powered by a Sellita automatic movement. Each is limited to 300, with the watches being delivered on black or white rubber straps. Aera C-1, from £1950. aera.co

Breguet

In 1954, Breguet was tasked by the French Ministry of Defence to develop a chronograph for pilots. The result was the Type 20 with a flyback movement that allowed the chronograph counters to be stopped, reset and restarted with a push of a button. Originally for military use, the design was adopted for a civilian model, the Type XX – now in its fourth generation. This is the new gold model, centre, right. Breguet Type XX 2067, £35,500. breguet.com

Omologato

If you’re a fan of Can-Am of the 1960s and ’70s, Omolagoto’s watch dedicated to the series is for you. Like the V8s that powered the racers, the Omologato Can-Am is on the large side at 42.5mm but wears easy thanks to its cushion-shaped stainless steel case which, despite the entry level cost, is nicely finished with a combination of brushed and polished surfaces. A quartz movement keeps the price down, but it, too, is quality being a trusty Japanese Miyota. Omologato Can-Am, £350. omologatowatches.com

Christopher Ward

Chiming watches are expensive but Christopher Ward made a mockery of that in 2022 with the launch of its C1 Bel Canto, which cost £3000. The first 300 sold out in eight hours; the second batch in two hours. To meet demand, CW has introduced this Classic version with a new guilloche dial and glass box crystal. Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Classic, £3495. christopherward.com

Citizen

The Japanese giant has marked its first century with a coffee-table book, Citizen: The Essence of Time by watch authority Jack Forster, charting its history from its days as a pocket-watch maker to its manufacturing of satellite-controlled and solar-powered timepieces. It has also marked the centenary of the first Citizen-branded wristwatch with 2200 examples of this mechanical time zone model, left. Citizen Series 8 880 GMT, £1495. citizenwatch.co.uk

Maurice Lacroix

If you have a soft spot for JPS-liveried Lotus F1 cars, this new Maurice Lacroix Aikon with its black and gold dial, bottom, left, will appeal. One of the most successful of all ML models, the Aikon was launched in 2016 as an homage to the ’90s Calypso. This latest version features a titanium case, making for a lightweight, durable, corrosion-proof watch. Maurice Lacroix Aikon, £4150. mauricelacroix.com

Junghans

Bauhaus scholar Max Bill originally created a minimalist watch for Junhgans in 1961 and it remains the brand’s signature model. It has been produced in several guises, the latest being the 40mm Chronoscope Bauhaus, bottom, middle that combines a black, PVD-coated case with a matte black lacquered dial. Junghans Chronoscope Bauhaus, £2495. junghans.de

Nomadic

Launched in 2021 by Peter Mcauley, Belfast’s Nomadic specialises in affordable tool watches fitted with yellow seconds hands that recall the giant cranes from local shipyards. That same yellow also highlights the bezel on this version of the 41mm watch, bottom, right. Nomadic Fíor 555 GMT, £1595. nomadicwatches.com