From mechanical stopwatches to precision telemetry, the history of timekeeping in Grand Prix racing reflects motorsport’s relentless pursuit of speed and accuracy. What began as manual record-keeping by pioneering individuals with mechanical stopwatches has evolved into partnerships with the world’s most prestigious watch brands — each era bringing new technology and new ways of measuring time on the racetrack.
Origins: Human Precision
In the earliest decades of Formula 1, timekeeping was the domain of individuals — stopwatch in hand, lap-chart on a clipboard. Among them, Michele Dubosc stood out as the undisputed queen of timing. She recorded laps with such consistency that even team managers and race officials deferred to her judgment.
→ Read more about Michele Dubosc
The Arrival of Official Partnerships
As technology advanced and media visibility grew, timekeeping became more than a technical role — it became a brand platform. Watch brands stepped into the spotlight as Official Timekeepers, bringing with them both cutting-edge timing systems and iconic designs.
Formula 1 formalized these roles in the 1980s, giving rise to multi-decade partnerships that reshaped how timing was perceived by fans and collectors alike.
→ Explore the full history of F1 Official Timekeepers
Parallel Tracks: MotoGP
While Formula 1 was refining its timekeeping traditions, MotoGP developed its own trajectory. Though the series only adopted the “MotoGP” name in 2002, the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing actually predates Formula 1.
→ View MotoGP’s Official Timekeeping History
Beyond the Billboards
The Official Timekeeper role is only a small part of the story. Numerous more watch brands have left their mark through innovation, sponsorship, and visibility on the wrists of champions.
→ Browse all featured watch brands
A select group of brands hold the rare distinction of having created ties with the premier class of both two and four-wheeled Grand Prix racing.
→ See watch brands connected to both Formula 1 and MotoGP
Signature Timepieces
Last but not least, watch brands have honored the human stories behind Formula 1 and MotoGP. The most iconic names in racing history — from fan favorites to world champions — have worn and inspired the watches associated with their legacies.
→ Explore all featured racers
→ See world champions with signature watches
→ Discover post-career signature timepieces