Monterey Car Week is just around the corner again, and you know what that means: That’s right, it’s time to celebrate the automotive spirit with motoring-inspired watches and accessories. Thankfully, the link between horology and motoring is a strong one, and there’s no shortage of car-inspired watches, timers, and cool gadgets and gizmos for your desk. Heck — the wrist-worn chronograph complication came of age in the mid-20th century as a device to time laps at the track. In that sense, it should be every car lover’s favorite complication!
Whether you’re searching for a watch connected to a particular car manufacturer or you’re on the hunt for the perfect accessory to kit out your garage, Analog:Shift has you covered. Below is but a smattering of our automotive watches, clocks, and gifts. Check out a limited-edition Speedmaster for the Japanese market; a Heuer dashboard timer from the 1960s, a vintage toy in the shape of a 1957 Thunderbird; and more. As car nerds ourselves, we’re constantly filling our inventory with neat motoring watches and gear. Let us know if you’re on the hunt for something specific, and if you’re heading up to Monterey in August, be sure to tag us on Instagram with your best watch and car spotting!
Heuer Master Time Dash Clock ($2,900)
Heuer Master Time Dash Clock - IN THE SHOP
Some of the most striking automotive timepieces are not wristwatches, but rather, analog dashboard instruments once used in race cars. This Heuer Master-Time Dash Clock from the 1960s is a prime example: With its 55mm stainless steel case, bi-directional decimal-scale bezel, black “3-6-9-12” dial, and hand-wound Revue Thommen 63 double-barrel movement, it’ll look perfect adorning a desk or bookshelf in the office of an automotive aficionado.
Halda Race Pilot ($3,550)
Halda Race Pilot - IN THE SHOP
Can’t decide between analog and digital watches? Why not have both with the Halda Race Pilot. The analog module, designed by Zenith, includes a date function, small seconds counter, and a handy power reserve indicator. The digital module, which can be swapped in without the need for any tools, provides information on racetracks, countdown timers, world timers, an accelerometer, G-force measurement, and more via custom software. How cool is that?!
Chopard Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph 'Zagato' Limited Edition ($4,650)
Chopard Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph 'Zagato' Limited Edition - IN THE SHOP
Official timekeeper and sponsor of the famed Mille Miglia since 1988, Chopard releases a special, limited-edition watch in celebration of each year’s race. This version, the GMT Chronograph ‘Zagato’ Limited Edition, ties in the legendary coachmaker and offers a triple-register chronograph as well as a GMT complication. Powered by Valjoux 7754 movement, it’s housed in a cool DLC-coated case paired to a black leather racing strap.
Heuer Carrera ($7,725)
Heuer Carrera - IN THE SHOP
The Heuer Carrera of the 1960s is one of the most beautiful chronographs ever designed. However, later iterations of Jack Heuer’s beloved watch are just as compelling — albeit different in shape, color scheme, and more. This Reference 735653S from the 1970s is fitted within a cushion-shaped stainless steel case, while its ‘panda’ dial benefits from a multitude of colors: silver for the background, black for the totalizers, and bright pops of orange in the handset and yellow in the faded lume.
Breitling For Bentley Motors GMT Chronograph Light Body B04 Midnight Carbon Special Edition ($7,850)
Breitling for Bentley Motors GMT Chronograph Light Body B04 Midnight Carbon Special Edition - IN THE SHOP
This special-edition collab between Breitling and Bentley combines the Swiss watchmaker’s early-2000s boldness with the British car designer’s keen sense of refined aesthetics. Measuring a beefy 49mm in diameter, the PVD-coated titanium case features a knurled crown with an internal city ring. When used in conjunction with the large red GMT hand, a second time zone can be tracked; meanwhile, a triple-register chronograph makes the watch even more useful.
Omega Speedmaster 'Japan Racing' ($14,450)
Omega Speedmaster 'Japan Racing' - IN THE SHOP
While the Speedmaster may have been born as a racing chronograph in 1957, its association with the U.S. space program has given it a distinctly extraterrestrial connotation. This special ‘Japan Racing’ Speedy, however, brings things back to the track: With its orange, red, and white ‘racing’ dial reminiscent of vintage models from the ‘60s and ‘70s, it adds a touch of automotive flare back to a model that was born to move fast. Limited to 2,004 pieces, it’s also one of the most sought-after Speedmaster LEs.
BONUS:
Jaguar 'Leaper' Paperweight - Small ($215)
Jaguar 'Leaper'Paperweight (Small) - IN THE SHOP
Looking for an automotive-inspired piece of ephemera for your office? Try this Jaguar ‘Leaper’ paperweight on for size. Dating from the 1980s, its sleek, chrome-plated jaguar embodies the grace and elegance of the famed marque’s beautiful cars — and at just 5” wide and with a felt bottom, it’ll fit comfortably and safely on a flat surface such as a desk or bookcase.
1957 Thunderbird Ford Dealer Promo Friction Model from AMT ($215)
1957 Thunderbird Ford Dealer Promo Friction Model from AMT - IN THE SHOP
Maybe you haven’t been able to track down a mint-condition ‘57 Thunderbird — or maybe you can’t fit one in your garage. But this awesome dealer promo model made by AMT should do just as well! Produced in loving detail and outfitted with friction drive, it mirrors its real-life namesake and comes in beautiful, eye-catching red. Best of all, it includes its original cardboard packaging.
BMW 'Art and individualism' ($395)
BMW 'Art and Individualism' - IN THE SHOP
Vintage ads from the 20th century are pieces of art in and of themselves. Case in point? This BMW ‘Art and individualism’ advertisement curated by our friends at Ad Patina. Showing three models from Bimmer’s Art Car program painted by none other than Calder, Stella, and Lichtenstein, it’ll look perfect hanging in a garage above a vintage E24 6-series.
