Max Chilton Talks Watches With Haute Time in London

By Arthur Touchot April 21, 2014

F1 is back, and drivers are wearing new watches in the paddock this year! This week, Haute Time’s Arthur Touchot talks to British racing driver Max Chilton, of the Marussia F1 team, about his passion for watches and his partnership with Armin Strom.

British racing driver, Mr. Max Chilton, of Marussia's F1 team — British racing driver, Mr. Max Chilton, of Marussia’s F1 team

Haute Time: Where does your passion for watches come from?

Max Chilton: I’ve always had a passion for them, before I even got into racing. I’ve always appreciated what goes into them. The manufacturing side fascinates me. I can’t believe the intricacy they get into now to make watches. They’re amazing, and that’s why it’s good to have the partnership we have with Armin Strom. They use some parts of the Formula 1 cars, to put them into the actual watches, which is quite a cool aspect of them.

When you’re younger, yod I’ve been lucky enough to have gone around the Armin Strom factory and seen how they’re made. You know, even if they have an amazing movement, at the end of the day, it’s like a car, if it’s got a great engine in it but you don’t like the look of it, you’re not going to buy it. So it still comes down to that.

Mr. Chilton says the coolest aspect of Armin Strom's watches is that "they use some parts of the Formula 1 cars, to put them into the actual watches." — Mr. Chilton says the coolest aspect of Armin Strom’s watches is that “they use some parts of the Formula 1 cars, to put them into the actual watches.”

HT: What’s on your wrist nowadays?

MC: When I’m at the circuit or any event, I wear an Armin Strom because of the connection we have. I’m a big fan of their product. They’re a very, very small business. There’s only 19 people that work there and they make about 400 to 500 watches a year. They go into a lot of detail. Every watch they have is a limited number, which is something I like. You’re going to go out places and you know you’re not going to see anyone wearing it. But then I’ve also had other watches over the years, so I appreciate the good brands. They’re all good for their different aspects.

Many other drivers have great watches, and "it comes up in conversation," in the paddock, says Mr. Chilton — Many other drivers have great watches, and “it comes up in conversation,” in the paddock, says Mr. Chilton

HT: What else is in your collection?

MC: When I was younger I wore a TAG Heuer. It was the first watch I ever got, which was an F1 chronograph actually, but it was like a kid-sized watch actually. I’ve still got it, and I’ll never get rid of it. It’s a great watch. And then I had a Chopard and a Bell & Ross. Then I obviously have an Armin [Strom]. That proves how much I love their product. I just bought a “One Week Earth Skeleton”. It’s a lovely looking watch.

Max Chilton wearing his very own Armin Strom One Week Earth Skeleton

HT: Do you talk about watches with other drivers?

MC: We don’t purposely sit down and talk about watches but you know, it’s come up in conversation. My teammate [Jules Bianchi] wanted to buy a nice watch, and there are other drivers who want to buy other lovely brands, and you have a look at them.