Autodromo - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Autodromo is an independent watch brand founded in 2011 in New York by industrial designer Bradley Price, created to channel the culture of motor racing and grand touring into contemporary, cleanly designed wristwatches sold primarily direct-to-consumer, with occasional specialty partners; its language blends historical cues (1950s–1980s) with functional restraint, and its collections have become familiar to design-minded car enthusiasts.

Autodromo origins (2011, New York) and Bradley Price’s “instruments for motoring” vision

Born from the sense that well-designed, attainable motoring watches were missing from the market, Autodromo takes a design-first approach: readable dials, controlled volumes, material choices for effect (titanium, steel, sapphire), and storytelling drawn from dashboards and pit-lane timing; founder Bradley Price positions the brand as enthusiasts building for enthusiasts, with accessories (gloves, eyewear) completing a coherent world for the watches, so Autodromo’s identity is defined by visual culture and practical use rather than spec-sheet bravado.

Automotive watch design: dashboard cues and signature families

The brand’s formal vocabulary favors compact cases, slim bezels and layered dials that evoke analog gauges; references range from Italian single-seaters to 1960s GTs and the angular “high-tech” looks of the 1980s, with careful typography and color (signal accents, bi-color bezels). Readability stays front and center, without clutter, because Autodromo aims to deliver an instrument feel rather than a laundry list of complications.

• Autodromo Monoposto — Recent runs with Japanese automatic movement, steel case (~43 mm), sapphire, color-limited series; nod to historic monopostos (printed redline).
• Autodromo Stradale — Around 40 mm with domed sapphire and wire lugs that make it wear smaller; mid-century GT vibe.
• Autodromo Intereuropa — 39 mm polished, wire lugs, small seconds; Swiss hand-wound movement, elegant-sport posture.
• Autodromo Prototipo — Hybrid meca-quartz chronograph inspired by endurance racing, roughly 42 mm; pushers feel satisfyingly mechanical.

Technology & movements: Miyota 9015/9039, ETA/Peseux 7001 and Seiko VK meca-quartz

Autodromo opts for pragmatic calibres aligned with its design/usage stance: Japanese automatics (Miyota 9015/9039) for thinness, reliability and easy service; Swiss hand-wound ETA/Peseux 7001 for the most “classic-sport” line; and Seiko VK hybrids for the chronographs, blending quartz accuracy with mechanical reset feel. The goal isn’t exotic spec hunting but coherence between design, thickness, legibility and day-to-day comfort.

Case study: the bi-material icon with titanium capsule and integrated bracelet

As the emblem of the brand’s 1980s strand, an iconic piece uses a titanium capsule architecture sliding into a steel case/bracelet; the compact (~39 mm) and slim (<10 mm) build underscores the “instrument” intent, while a Miyota 9015 automatic keeps the profile trim and setting straightforward; the bi-material choice translates lightweight bodywork and engineering solutions of the period into watchmaking, which is why the result delivers a very wearable, high-tech-meets-low-profile presence.

• Autodromo Group B — 39 mm titanium capsule under 10 mm thick with integrated steel bracelet; Miyota 9015; 50 m WR.

Positioning, pricing & channels: D2C focus, limited editions and collabs (Windup, Analog Shift, Ford)

Autodromo sells primarily via its site while leaning on specialty partners for launches and dedicated runs; the Intereuropa, for instance, was offered through Windup Watch Shop, and the line has been showcased in New York at Analog Shift, while manufacturer tie-ins (Ford GT Endurance Chronograph) broadened reach. Public pricing anchors the hybrid chrono in the mid-hundreds of dollars and the titanium/steel capsule below a thousand, illustrating a deliberate design-to-value stance — in other words, a premium microbrand with a measured entry ticket.

• Autodromo Prototipo — VK64/VK63 chrono around 42 mm; typically ~US$600–650 depending on series.
• Autodromo Group B — Observed around US$975 for Series 2 in public reviews.
• Autodromo Intereuropa — Distributed via Windup (ETA/Peseux 7001, 39 mm, wire lugs).

Buying guide: choosing your Autodromo by use case and style

Start by picking your world: a 1970s-leaning endurance chrono, an elegant-sport GT piece with wire lugs, or a “techno-’80s” capsule/bracelet; next, choose the engine (slim hand-wind, slim Japanese automatic, reliable meca-quartz) to match your desired feel and upkeep; finally, dial in size (roughly 39–43 mm across families) and thickness for comfort and legibility. The guiding idea is a watch that accompanies commutes, desk and weekends, because the right Autodromo is the one whose automotive identity elevates your day without getting in the way.

Conclusion

Autodromo speaks to car-design enthusiasts who want a wrist-borne instrument: clear, slim, wearable and rich in deliberate visual references. Dress-sport lines (wire-lug dials) attract lovers of elegant GTs; titanium-capsule/integrated-bracelet builds suit those drawn to ’80s high-tech precision; and hybrid chronographs offer pragmatic access to racing aesthetics. To validate a shortlist with real-world sentiment, consult Dialicious customer reviews.

Check out the Ranking of the best watch brands inspired by motorports, including Autodromo.

(Updated August 2025)