Ferrari and Watches

Ferrari relationship with luxury Watches

???????????Ferrari is perhaps the most well-known luxury sportscar marque in the entire world. You don’t need to be a car enthusiast to recognise the Prancing Horse. However, do you know Ferrari has long been involved with watchmakers in their venture? In fact, Enzo Ferrari himself was quite the watch person.

???????????Over the years, ever since the inception of Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari himself had given watches out to distinguished employees and drivers. Considering that Ferrari’s primary emphasis is on the racetrack, gifts and such were distributed infrequently. However, those watches often had the Prancing Horse adorning it as a personal touch from Mr. Ferrari.

???????????It’s not until 1983 that Ferrari finally merchandised and licensed watches that the public could buy to express their enthusiasm for the brand. Cartier, a long-time partner of Ferrari, launched the Cartier Ferrari Formula lineup. This marks the beginning of Ferrari branded watches.

Cartier Ferrari Formula Chronograph

???????????While many Ferrari Formula watches were made, perhaps most memorable are the chronograph watches powered by the coveted Valjoux 7750 movement. Some came with the Valjoux 7751 with moonphase, most notably the ones given by Mr. Ferrari to Pope John Paul II when he visited the Ferrari Factory back in 1988.

???????????Those were automatic watches and weren’t commercially available since Enzo Ferrari commissioned them as a gift to his special clients and close friends. You can distinguish one by the solid 18kt gold/stainless steel casing and prominent Ferrari branding. Since those watches were often produced in limited quantities, a production number is engraved at the caseback to identify the watch.

Girard-Perregaux Ferrari

???????????After Enzo Ferrari’s passing, the deal with Cartier ended. In 1994, Ferrari struck a new deal with Swiss luxury watchmaker Girard-Perregaux to co-develop new high-end watches. As per Girard-Perregaux tradition, they are elegant, practical and often understated, but infused with Ferrari racing-lineage. A few Girard-Perregaux Ferrari watches are particularly memorable.

2004 Girard-Perregaux Ferrari Tribute to Enzo Ferrari Tourbillon (ref. 99190)

???????????This is the final and most expensive watch to come out of this partnership. This is a special watch, manufactured as part of the Bridges collection. You can identify the Tribute to Enzo Ferrari by the black dial signed with Enzo Ferrari’s signature on top of the calendar wheel. It’s powered by the revered 3-gold Bridges tourbillon movement with a perpetual calendar and chronograph. Models were available in white/rose gold and platinum, with prices ranging around ￡150,000.

2004 Girard-Perregaux Ferra