Ayrton Senna da Silva (March 21, 1960 – May 1, 1994) was a Brazilian three-time Formula 1 World Champion and widely considered one of the greatest drivers of all time. His world titles came in 1988, 1990, and 1991 while driving for McLaren, with a career total of 41 wins from 80 podium finishes.
Early F1 Career
Senna’s first season in F1 was in 1984, racing for Toleman after drawing interest from multiple teams. His first teammate was Johnny Cecotto, the 1975 350cc Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion and one of a small handful of racers to have competed in both two and four-wheeled Grand Prix championships. Senna scored three podium finishes as a rookie, and took his first F1 win in 1985 with Lotus.
Alain Prost Rivalry and Final Race
The Brazilian legend moved to McLaren in 1988, winning three world titles in the six seasons he was with the team and while locked in a fierce rivalry with fellow multple-time World Champion Alain Prost that defined an era. Senna signed with Williams for the 1994 season after Prost’s retirement, and was killed in a lap seven accident of the San Marino Grand Prix while leading the race.
TAG Heuer
Senna’s association with TAG Heuer began in 1988, but his first limited edition timepiece was not produced until 1994. As such, the TAG Heuer 6000 Senna Limited Edition stands as the only watch that included his direct involvement. Up until 2004, several Senna edition TAG Heuer Link models were also released, with the Brazilian driver’s image continuing to appear in marketing materials.
Universal Genève
Universal Genève partnered with the Ayrton Senna Institute in the late 1990s and produced two limited edition timepieces: the Universal Genève Senna 41 chronograph and the three-hand Universal Genève Senna 65, to commemorate the Brazilian driver’s 41 race wins and 65 pole positions in F1, respectively.
Different dial variants and colors appear to have been available for the Senna 41, with reference numbers 975.310 and 998.310 both attributed to the model. An 18k gold version of the the Senna 41 was also produced.
The Senna 65 (ref. 951.320 has also been available in different dial colors, with the selection including black, white, and yellow.
Hublot
During its tenure as the Official Watchmaker of Formula 1, Hublot has also released the Hublot King Power Ayrton Senna and Hublot King Power Tourbillon Ayrton Senna (ref. 708.QM.1129.NR.AES10). The latter had a limited run of 10 unique pieces, with each one featuring a case back commemorating different highlights that were each selected by Senna’s mother and sister.
Both timepieces were unveiled during the premier of Senna, the 2010 documentary film.
A Hublot King Power Tourbillon Ayrton Senna on display at the Senna film premier. (Photo: Instituto Ayrton Senna, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Return of TAG Heuer
After rejoining the Senna Foundation in 2015, TAG Heuer resumed producing Senna special edition watches. With the Link models no longer in production, the Brazilian driver has since been commemorated in the Carrera and Formula 1 product lines.
Lorige
While Lorige did not have an official license, the Lorige AS-01 Flying Central Toubillon is worth a mention. The unique timepiece has a limited edition of just eight, due to the case being constructed from the carbon brake pads off Senna’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8. Additional details pay tribute to the Brazilian, including Senna’s three title-winning years and yellow accents inspired by his helmet.
REC Watches
The REC Watches 98T/4 Limited Edition was announced in 2024, and made from a John Player Special Lotus chassis that was raced in 1986. While this timepiece also does not outright license Senna’s name, the rotor does feature the Brazilian’s racing number 12 from that season.
Related Pages
References
https://magazine.tagheuer.com/en/2022/05/02/the-ultimate-collectors-guide-tag-heuer-senna-special-editions/
https://www.ayrton-senna-dasilva.com/guide-to-the-sennas-watches/
https://www.chrono24.com/magazine/formula-1-watches-p_23897/
https://www.fratellowatches.com/universal-geneve-senna-41-52mondayz-week-41/
https://gem.app/product/universal-geneve-senna-automatic
https://gem.app/product/universal-geneve-senna-model-chronograph
https://marketplace.watchcharts.com/listing/20360103-reloj-universal-geneve-ayrton-senna-f1-cronografo-amarillo
https://shop.connoisseuroftime.com/products/universal-geneve-ayrton-senna-41-racing-chronograph-mens-watch-stainless-steel-carbon
https://www.europastar.com/swisstime/1004103775-universal-geneve-senna-watch.html
https://wannenesgroup.com/lots/664-5810-universal-geneve-x-senna-in-carbon-steel-from-2000/
https://watchcharts.com/listing/4050051-ayrton-senna-universal-geneve-classic-automatic-watch-date-full-set
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/universal-geneve-senna-switzerland-c-1998-53-c-54b4c21937
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/hublot-king-power-ayrton-senna-limited-edition-watches/
https://masterhorologer.com/2010/11/08/hublot-king-power-tourbillon-ayrton-senna-exclusive-limited-edition-for-brazil/
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/tag-heuer-ayrton-senna-watch-new-models/
https://www.watchprosite.com/news-central/ayrton-senna-rejoins-the-tag-heuer-ambassador-family–launch-of-special-senna-collection/112.990738.6951458/