HELMET CLOCK TAG HEUER "CAVALLINO" JOSEPH SIFFERT CA. 1986

This alarm-equipped clock was part of a small series of racing helmets released in the late '70s and internally equipped with a clock. The series was named "Cavallino" and was already a collector's item at the time.

The model presented here is a Tag Heuer tribute to Joseph Siffert (1936-1971), a Swiss motorsport legend whose dazzling career epitomized courage, determination and style. Affectionately nicknamed "Seppi", he remains one of the most admired drivers of the 1960s, as much for his talent as for his natural charisma.

Born in Fribourg, Switzerland, into a modest family, Siffert began his career on two wheels, on motorcycles, before turning to cars. He rose through the ranks thanks to his extraordinary tenacity, becoming the first Swiss driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, in 1968 at Brands Hatch, at the wheel of a private Lotus 49B entered by Rob Walker. This victory over the big teams marked a turning point in his career and placed him among the championship's elite.

In addition to Formula 1, Siffert also excelled in endurance racing, notably with Porsche, with whom he enjoyed his greatest successes. He won prestigious events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 1,000 km of Spa and the 1,000 km of Nürburgring, alongside drivers like Brian Redman and Pedro Rodríguez. His mastery of the legendary Porsche 917 prototype makes him a natural ambassador for the brand, contributing to its performance image.

Joseph Siffert wasn't just fast: he was respected for his honesty, fighting spirit and elegance on and off the track. Highly appreciated by the public and the paddock alike, he symbolized a certain romanticism in motor racing at a time when risks were omnipresent.

Tragically, he lost his life in 1971 during the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, in a dramatic accident that had far-reaching consequences for motorsport safety. His death leaves a huge void, but his name remains synonymous with pure passion.

Joseph Siffert is the story of a man who came from nothing to become an icon of motor sport. A driver whose legacy lives on through circuits, fans and even watches: most notably the Heuer Autavia model, which even today bears the nickname "Siffert" in the world of collectors.

Manufacturer: Tag Heuer
Model: Cavallino
Reference: Jo Siffert
Year: Circa 1986
Materials: Plastic and metal
Dimensions: Approx. width 9.5 cm depth 12 cm height 12 cm
Caliber: N/A, Quartz
Box/paper: no