The association between MotoGP and watches may not be quite as high profile as that of Formula One, but there is nonetheless a rich history to explore. One early example of watch brand involvement in two-wheeled Grand Prix racing involves Longines, having served as the official timekeeper of the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix in the 1950s.
While watches commemorating individual riders appear to have been unheard of before the 1990s, riders from the sport’s earlier decades like John Surtees, Giacomo Agostini, and Jarno Saarinen have gone on to lend their names to timepieces in more recent years.
1990-1994: Longines
Available records appear to indicate that the earliest official timekeeper of Grand Prix motorcycle racing was Longines, from 1990 until 1994. Archive footage shows that their logo appeared on track side billboards across multiple race weekends during that time, as well as a digital logo below leader board graphics on TV broadcasts. The Olivetti logo has also appeared up until 1991, which coincides with their official co-timekeeping role in F1.
Longines branding has also appeared at the 1988 Nations motorcycle Grand Prix at Imola, predating what was probably the start of an official timekeeper role. We are currently waiting on confirmation from the brand.
1995-2000: Certina
Certina began their role as Official Timekeeper of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 1995, with their logo appearing at racetracks and on TV broadcasts until 2000. During that time, Certina also sponsored Repsol Honda teammates Mick Doohan and Àlex Crivillé, as well as then-future CEO of the brand Adrian Bosshard. Certina would also later sponsor Thomas Lüthi and Sete Gibernau.
Certina appears to have only made rider edition timepieces with Doohan and Crivillé. The motorcycle-inspired DS Cascadeur line was also launched in 1995, but appears to have no direct connection with the world championship.
2001-Now: Tissot
The current Official Timekeeper of MotoGP is Tissot. Their tenure started in 2001, the final season of the 500cc era and one year before the premier class was rebranded as MotoGP. Tissot launched their T-Race line during this time, which continues to serve as a platform for their MotoGP edition timepieces.
The late Nicky Hayden was the brand’s first MotoGP ambassador, and had rider editions named after him each year from what turned out to be his title-winning 2006 season until his untimely passing in 2017. Tissot have also released T-Race models for other MotoGP riders over the years, including Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Thomas Lüthi, Tito Rabat, Bradley Smith, and Stefan Bradl. Multiple race winner Enea Bastianini was also announced as an ambassador of the brand in 2023
References
https://www.fadfor.com/longines-museum-quest-journey-longines-sports/
https://www.facebook.com/LonginesZA/posts/1324387397608406/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAbjOmKG_xk&t=161s
https://www.longines.com/en-us/magazine/pioneer-spirits/timing-formula-one/
https://masterhorologer.com/2018/06/28/certina-swiss-watches-brand-details-company-history-watch-collections/
https://www.speedweek.com/motogp/news/93312/Adrian-Bosshard-Ex-Rennfahrer-als-Certina-Praesident.html
https://wornandwound.com/history-tissot/
https://www.europastar.com/news/1003316469-tissot-ambassador-nicky-hayden-becomes-the-2006.html
https://sponsorship.org/tissot-to-continue-as-official-timekeeper-of-motogp/
https://de.watchpro.com/motogp-wunderkind-enea-bastianini-als-neuer-tissot-botschafter-vorgestellt/