Long story short, available documentation points to a small cluster of Honda-branded Casio digital models in the 1980s. I had collectively (and lazily) attributed them all to Honda’s Formula 1 activities during that time, proudly reasoning to myself that they likely coincided with the Japanese manufacturer’s return to the series in 1983. These included “Honda Racing Williams” and several “Honda Racing Team F1” branded models.
But also within that cluster was a “Rothmans Honda” Casio F-86.
For about a year, this registered as just another Honda Formula 1 watch from the era until one day it suddenly dawned on me that there was no Rothmans Honda team in Formula 1. That partnership only existed on the 500cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing grid, starting in the 1985 season. Oops.
So, was that the first licensed watch in Grand Prix motorcycle racing? I still don’t know for sure, but at the moment the answer seems to be yes.
It’s also a reminder that I shouldn’t turn my brain off while researching.