Official timekeepers for Spa and NÜrburgring launch BRM V6-44-SA watch

If you’re someone who likes to wear a love of motor sport on your sleeve, BRM watches could be for you. Not only do the initials of Bernard Richards Manufacture echo those of the celebrated ’60s F1 team, the firm’s creations are engineered from components that leave no doubt as to what inspires them – cars and bikes.

Frenchman Richards has been fascinated by mechanical objects since becoming obsessed with bikes at the age of 12, six years prior to enrolling at horological school to prepare for work in the family watch business. He remained until his late twenties when he moved to his own premises where he set-up a high-end tooling company making pens, lighters, cufflinks and other luxury goods – including watches for well-known brands.

By the new millennium he was tired of pandering to the demands of others and realised that what he really wanted to do was to make his own products in his own way and sign them with his own name. So he founded BRM with the specific aim of making timepieces replete with automotive imagery and engineered to similar standards.

During the intervening 22 years, BRM has become a brand beloved by racers (even back in 2006, eight drivers competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours were wearing BRM watches). The firm has also collaborated with multiple car and motorcycle race teams including Corvette, Graff and Martini as well as becoming official timing partner at circuits like Spa and the Nürburgring.

The BRM range has expanded dramatically with the motor sport collection alone featuring 18 models – each of which can be customised to an individual buyer’s specifications thanks to the modular make-up of the watches.

Among the latest creations is the V6-44-SA Ceracolor R, a 44mm diameter, time-only watch made from titanium and red-coloured ceramic. Automotive imagery includes the chequered-flag pattern around the case and the carbon dial adorned with racing roundel hour markers – but look through the apertures at the 10, two and six o’clock positions and you’ll see a trio of tiny, car-style shock absorbers. A BRM signature, they’re designed to protect the self-winding movement which offers 38 hours of power reserve.

The watch, which weights just 79g without its strap, also has a screw-down crown that guarantees water resistance to 100m.

In the era of less-ostentatious timepieces there’s no doubt that BRM’s offerings will appeal to buyers who like to make a statement. But if you appreciate solid horological engineering with an automotive bent, Bernard Richards might just be your man.

BRM V6-44-SA Ceracolor, £4747. brm-chronographes.com

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Another new TAG Heuer Carrera driver’s watch… This time it’s a limited edition dedicated to Porsche’s 963 Hypercar that features a skeletonised dial with tubular detailing based on the car’s chassis. The LED lighting of the latest 911 is said to have inspired the use of blocks of glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova to ensure legibility at night, while the strap is enhanced with cut-outs based on NACA air ducts. The Porsche logo is engraved in 3D on the case band, with the edition number of each of the 963 watches marked on the back.

TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche 963, £8050. tagheuer.com

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If you’re in the habit of using a fold-up bicycle to get around the race paddock, take a look at this. Bremont is making 200 examples of the three-hand chronometer in conjunction with fellow Brit brands Brompton cycles and Cheaney shoes. The watch has a 40mm steel case finished in a black DLC treatment that contrasts with a bronze centre barrel and a brown leather strap evoking Cheaney’s footwear. Each is delivered in a leather roll that doubles as a toolbag for hanging beneath a Brompton saddle – ideal for sandwiches.

Bremont x Brompton x Cheaney, £3450. bremont.com

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Precision is written by renowned luxury goods specialist Simon de Burton