5 Watches to Wear to Formula 1 in Austin, Texas

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 2026 takes place in Austin, Texas, this year on the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) racetrack. The racing will be held over four days, with qualifying and practice rounds beginning on October 22 and the final championship happening on October 25. This exciting lineup will culminate in what is expected to be a spirited battle for the trophy.

As per usual, the teams dominating the top rankings in the circuit are Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren. Dominant drivers to look out for include Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Charles LeClerc, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, and George Russell. Although they have far fewer points under their belts this season, fans also love Spaniards Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, who race for Aston Martin and Williams, respectively.

No matter who you are cheering for, a weekend at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin is sure to be full of heart-pumping adrenaline, lifelong memories, and a high-energy atmosphere like no other. Formula 1 has skyrocketed in popularity, especially in the United States, over the past decades, and more and more fan turnout and interest has led to significant price spikes in tickets for these events. This and the already prestigious nature of the sport create an environment of indulgence and luxury to go along with the daring and bold racing itself.

At a Formula 1 event, you can expect to see luxury around every corner. From the upscale stadium in Austin to the high-end attire of fans, Formula 1 races have become a hotbed of fashion and elite timepieces left and right. The drivers wear prestigious watches, as do the coaches, spectators, and team owners. This year’s United States Grand Prix is the perfect place to show off your latest horological acquisition. Which one will you choose to adorn your wrist?

Formula 1 has a certain atmosphere to it, an aura that goes beyond other spectator sports, pushing the boundaries of typical interpretations of racing. This is not the Daytona 500; this is a sport celebrating elite engineering, masterful innovation, and prestigious craftsmanship. In other words, the features that are valued in Formula 1 are not all that different from those that we prioritize in the world of haute horlogerie. As such, a Formula 1 race naturally lends itself to those who enjoy the sophistication and power of a luxury wristwatch.

Our team here at Avi & Co. has selected five elite timepieces that stand out as ideal contenders for your 2026 United States Grand Prix outfit. Discover these impressive pieces of machinery, complete with complications and capabilities that can rival even the fastest car on the track.

A Richard Mille watch is a natural choice for any Formula 1 fan. Though a relatively new addition to the world of haute horlogerie, Richard Mille has made a name for itself as a premier Swiss maison, offering continual waves of innovation and design architecture that stands out from the rest. Many Richard Mille watches take inspiration from the world of motorsports, using materials from F1 racing as well as other industries, like aerospace and deep-sea exploration. As such, Richard Mille watches manage to be exceptionally light and durable, even as they offer larger-than-life silhouettes and extensive complications.

Here, we see the RM 011 “Felipe Massa Orange Storm,” an iconic collaboration between Richard Mille and one of the company’s premier motorsports partners. Brazilian racing driver Felipe Massa has collaborated with the watch brand on many occasions, but this bright orange watch holds a special place in our hearts. Limited to just 30 pieces produced worldwide, the flyback chronograph timepiece is a true collectors item. It showcases its impressive inner workings through a skeletonized dial at the center of a staggering 50 mm case. Its bold orange hue makes it a perfect statement piece, particularly for fans of team McLaren.

Formula 1 is known for pushing boundaries in engineering and consistently pushing the sport forward with top-notch innovation and creativity behind the wheel. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept collection is known for the very same spirit of modernization and invention. This line is an offshoot of the Swiss brand’s classic Royal Oak collection, which you might be able to recognize from the octagonal bezel and exposed screws immediately. The Concept collection builds on the iconic design language of the 1970s Royal Oak but updates it with a refreshed, avant-garde style and increasingly advanced complications. The Royal Oak Concept line stands out as a proving ground for Audemars Piguet to test out their wildest, boldest ideas.

We love this flying tourbillon model, which is crafted from light yet durable titanium and showcases a black openworked dial measuring a substantial 44 mm in diameter. The rubber strap offers improved comfort and versatility, making this a watch that you truly can wear anywhere. It is perfect for a day of cheering on your favorite Formula 1 racers on the track in Austin, and it can easily transition to an upscale dinner after the fact.

We cannot write an article about watches perfect for motorsports events without mentioning the Rolex Daytona, perhaps the most famous racing watch of all time. The Daytona debuted in 1963 and quickly rose to fame as a favorite of actor turned racing driver Paul Newman, who was a spokesperson and genuine fan of the line. Rolex Daytona watches feature three chronograph subdials on the face of the watch, which typically measures 40 mm. The chronograph pushers, located on either side of the crown, control these subdials and allow the wearer to measure elapsed time. Additionally, many Daytona models have tachymeter bezels to measure speed.

This Daytona watch offers a unique twist on the classic, which is perfect for those looking to impress at the United States Grand Prix in Austin this October. Here, the classic stainless steel Daytona has been upgraded with an 18K rose gold case and bracelet. On the bezel, you will find a rainbow of gorgeous colored sapphires that perfectly contrast with the rich black dial. More sapphires function as index hour markers. In short, this watch offers wearers a symphony of color and eye-catching sparkle without compromising on racing heritage and significance.

A Formula 1 event calls for a sporty yet sophisticated watch, and the Patek Philippe Aquanaut without a doubt fits that criteria. The rugged younger sibling of the classic Nautilus line, the Aquanaut was first launched in the 1990s. While sales were initially slow to pick up, in the years since, the Nautilus has become a staple of luxury watch collecting and often appeals to younger collectors who appreciate a piece that is both genuinely wearable and deeply collectible.

This 36 mm Aquanaut is perfect for wearers of either gender, particularly as men’s watch trends continue to push toward smaller and smaller dials. Combining athletic design language with glittering diamonds around the cushion-shaped bezel, this timepiece manages to defy categorization. This is a watch that tells a story without you ever having to speak a word. Dress it up, dress it down, or let it be the defining feature of your outfit. Here, the choice is yours.

The Avi & Co. Iced Collection watches paired with our versatile rubber “Color in Motion” straps offer a perfect opportunity to show off your team spirit at the upcoming United States Grand Prix Formula 1 race. Our Iced Collection debuted in 2023 and immediately received much fanfare and praise, elevating modern haute horlogerie with decadent diamonds that adorn every surface of the watch. While we love a classic Iced Collection watch look, we added another layer of personalization and versatility to the collection in 2023 with our line of colorful rubber straps.

The “Color in Motion” straps are available in seven different colors and are interchangeable with 44 mm, 40 mm, and 37 mm Iced Collection watches. You can switch between the classic diamond bracelet and a strap of your choice, and you can even swap out different colors to match the day’s mood. For Ferrari fans, for instance, we love the bold red hue of our red “Color in Motion” strap. McLaren fans might love the orange strap, while Red Bull fans may choose blue. Your look is completely up to you.

Here at Avi & Co., we specialize in renowned luxury watch brands from around the globe, including Rolex, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. Our timepieces range the full gamut of styles, from elegant and refined to outdoorsy and adventurous. When you visit one of our three boutiques, do not forget to explore our own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our decadent Diamonds by Avi & Co. jewelry line, perfect for the sophisticated modern woman.

Drop into one of our stores or book a time today to shop with us via private appointment. We cannot wait to offer you a warm welcome into our Avi & Co. family.