Aston Martin has rekindled its connection to the James Bond era by announcing a notable global partnership with Swiss watchmaker Breitling, marking the brand’s official return to Formula 1. This alliance blends luxury craftsmanship, motorsport expertise, and cinematic history ahead of the 2026 season.
Breitling has been named the Official Watch Partner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, ending a hiatus from the sport and reestablishing its presence within elite motorsport circles. The collaboration reflects shared values of precision and performance between the two iconic brands.
Historic Ties Between Aston Martin, Breitling, and James Bond
The partnership summons memories from the 1960s when Breitling and Aston Martin were famously linked through the James Bond franchise. Sean Connery, portraying the original Bond, wore the Breitling Navitimer in 1965’s Thunderball, introducing the watch as a high-tech gadget emblematic of the Bond identity. Simultaneously, the Aston Martin DB5, debuting a year earlier in Goldfinger, became a cinematic symbol alongside the watch.
This heritage underscores the brands’ combined legacy, with the new collaboration initiating in 2026 through the release of the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Aramco. This special edition timepiece celebrates the union of artisanal automotive craftsmanship and expert horology, designed exclusively for their joint venture.
Statements from Leadership Emphasize Shared Ambition and Craftsmanship
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin and the Formula One team, highlighted the importance of aligned ambition:
“Our pursuit of a World Championship demands partners who match our ambition. Today, we’re proud to welcome Breitling to the team. Beyond a shared heritage, we are united by values that drive everything we do. The precision, craftsmanship and engineering excellence we pursue at Aston Martin Aramco are lived and breathed by Breitling.”
— Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman
Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, also expressed the synergy between the brands:
“Aston Martin builds cars that are as much about presence as performance. We share that same heritage of iconic design: every line, finish, and proportion has purpose. Nothing is left to chance.”
— Georges Kern, CEO
Brand Visibility and Competitive Debut for 2026 Season
As part of this multi-year partnership, Breitling’s logo will be prominently featured on the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One car and team uniforms beginning with the livery reveal on February 9, 2026. The alliance will make its competitive debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne during March of the same year, marking Breitling’s full reintegration into Formula 1.
This partnership not only elevates the commercial profile of both companies but also reinforces Aston Martin’s standing as a brand that embodies a blend of sporting excellence, luxury, and cultural significance. By revisiting the Bond-era connection through Breitling, Aston Martin bridges a storied past with cutting-edge innovation on the world racing stage.
F1's watch wars ramp up further as @Breitling arrives as an official partner of @AstonMartinF1 – a nice echo of the 1960s, when the two parties were connected by the @007 movies and Sean Connery. The company is also a partner of the @NFL, and previously backed the Le Mans-winning…
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) February 5, 2026
