Watchmakers have long found inspiration in the world of motorsports. Craftsman from the two respective fields share a passion for details and a desire for precision. We look at three iconic watches with a link to historic races ? and the celebrities we?ve spotted wearing these designs.

A Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman 6241. Photo: handout

Rolex Daytona

The single most recognisable chronograph watch in the world is closely linked to motorsports. Named after the famous Daytona 500 race, the watch is one of Rolex?s most collectable ? with the famous Paul Newman Daytona, once owned by the actor, shattering records at auction in 2017 when it was sold for US$17.8 million.
Via Instagram / @phillipsauction

Rolex has continued to reinvent the reference, in recent years adding different dial colours to the line, as well as launching the popular black and white ceramic bezel reference in 2016. The rainbow gem-set Daytona has been a hit as well. Via Instagram / @atechnicaltime

It?s a favourite among celebrities. You?ll spot it on the wrists of everyone from watch fanatic John Mayer to Beyoncé and Jay Z.
1st Monaco special edition ? 01. Photo: Tag Heuer

Tag Heuer Monaco

Long before Tag Heuer acquired the Tag in its name, the Heuer brand launched the square Monaco watch. A chronograph, the piece, as you might have guessed, takes its name from the Monaco Grand Prix race. The ?King of Cool? Steve McQueen wore the watch in the 1971 film Le Mans. The reference celebrated it...