Jenson Button On Timepieces, Racing And Always Being Active
The Rolex Testimonee talks to Esquire India about the importance of a good timepiece and how racing shaped him as a person
Racing and timepieces share an intrinsic bond.
British racing driver Jenson Button is a prime example of that. In 2000, when he first got into Formula 1, Button gifted himself a Rolex Daytona. This would be the beginning of a relationship that is still going strong.
Button competed in Formula 1 for 17 seasons and in 2009, was crowned the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion after a memorable season with Brawn GP.
Button would then go on to make his Rolex 24 At DAYTONA debut in 2024 and raced for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he has made four appearances. The 8 Hours of Bahrain in November 2025 marked Button’s final race as a professional racing driver.
Crucially, in 2022, Button joined the family of Rolex Testimonees. No wonder, the Rolex Daytona, often considered the ultimate drivers’ watch, holds a special place for the man from Frome, Somerset. “The first Rolex Daytona I had was a steel (variant) with a black face, which I still have. But when I first got into Formula One, that was the first gift I bought myself. This was back in 2000. I bought my father one at the same time,” Button said during an interview with global media.
His next watch was even more special. “The next one was in 2013. It was my father’s 70th birthday. So, I bought him the rose gold Daytona, with a chocolate face and black bezel. It was stunning. He sadly passed away in 2014, so I inherited the watch. That watch obviously means the most to me,” he adds.
The Swiss watchmaker has supported racing at Daytona International Speedway since its opening in 1959. In 1992, it became title sponsor of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, where Button began his time in endurance racing. He then committed to two full seasons racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, before retiring at the end of this year.
Ahead of Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January 2026, through a virtual round table, Esquire India spoke with Button about the importance of a good timepiece and how racing has shaped him as a person.
Edited excerpts from an interview.
What does a good timepiece mean to you today?
For me, a good timepiece is kind of a statement. First of all, it’s for telling the time, precision. But also it’s something that gives you confidence, especially if it’s a timepiece you like and respect. It’s the same for me with clothing. A good fitting suit, for example, gives you confidence. A bad fitting suit does the opposite. So, if you wear a timepiece that is special to you, it gives you confidence when you walk into a room.
How would you say racing has shaped you as a person?
It means that I struggle to not do something active. I am a nightmare the whole day. I can’t sit at the beach and do nothing. I always have to be active or strive to achieve something, which is positive in life. Sometimes, I’d like to relax and do nothing. But there’s always too much going through my mind. Holidays give me loads of time to think about my next challenge.
Racing has been good for me in terms of scheduling and timing of things, having an aim and giving a 100 per cent. But there’s always negatives which come with that, which is trying to relax away from racing.