Talking Watches With Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti is that rare breed of driver whose talents have taken him to the top of virtually every category in elite racing. Among his 111 career victories, several have come at the sport's most coveted races, including the Daytona 500 and the Indy 500. Andretti is also one of the few American drivers to achieve success in Formula One, winning the 1978 Drivers Championship with Lotus. His 12 victories in Formula One make him the winningest American that the series has ever seen. Andretti is also the only person to have been named United States Driver of the year in three different decades. And as if that wasn't enough, the Associated Press and RACER selected him as driver of the century. Others may have proved more dominant in a single discipline, but Mario Andretti was a force to be reckoned with on every track, proving to be, perhaps, the most well-rounded race car driver of all time.
Over the course of this storied career, which took him to all corners of the world for races on circuits including Spa, Monaco, Daytona, and Indianapolis, Andretti quietly amassed one of the most interesting collections of sports watches that we've ever encountered - and he certainly has the stories to go with them. For the full story, go to www.hodinkee.com/articles/tal...

[@memir0]

I love how he cares the most about the memories and pride he associates with the watches rather than their value and rarity.

[@elv3a424]

Speed Weird Exactly. That's the way watch collecting should be.

[@11Shaa]

Well said.

[@captaincad1977]

Speed Weird exactly. It’s not about the cost. Enjoyed watching.

[@nickkendall3764]

I think that's one of the most evocative things about some people. Its about feeling not value. Maybe i feel this way too because i cant afford 5 grand for a watch .idk but i see something special in the silliest things. And it gets me really excited to see other people feel the same way thanks guys ( speed weired and Matthew sellman and 11shaa)

[@mannycalavera2335]

This is indeed pretty cool. You can tell he is more eager to tell story behind the watch. Really fun episode.

[@paullegloan1502]

Definition of cool. This guy doesn't just own a real-deal daytona, hell, he drove for it.

[@jonathanmartin7046]

He also won the Daytona 500

[@wiwe4741]

Mr. Andretti is not collecting watches, he has collected history, how awesome is that! One of the best TW episode ever!

[@BeckVMH]

Haha his reaction 10:28 when told the Hauer Autavia referenced are referred to as “the Andretti” by collectors.... he seemed genuinely surprised and flattered. This interview reveals a very humble and classy individual. Thank you sir for sharing your collection. Very impressive.

[@stardust4711]

What a nice and polite person I love to listen to him

[@7071t6]

YEP but full of politics as well, using his name and who he knows to make a better life for himself full stop, thats the way it is in motor sport ?

[@leejordan9566]

+7071t6 Mario EARNED his name!

[@7071t6]

yes he did, but not with out taking a lot of people down to get there, its just the way the cookie crumbles champ. :)

[@m.r.4801]

stardust4711 so true, the moment when he was told they call the watches after him now...he’s probably the nicest granddad u can imagine

[@clintondixon4828]

A collection that's earned but not bought. How refreshing. Great episode.

[@benjameshodges]

One of the best ever talking watches.

[@mannycalavera2335]

That is the best Rolex Daytona story I have ever heard: "I drove Daytona a lot. I won the 500. I won the sports car race, you know, the Ferrari, the continental. But I don't exactly remember how I got it". What a boss.

[@Nvlutey27]

The cracked crystals have so much presence especially considering the owner and his history, very cool.

[@TheCometHunter]

Not to nitpick, but that was crystal crazing, not cracking.

[@leinardesteves3987]

Silverstone L crazing is just “fine” cracks, it’s the same thing lol

[@matteopersivale6063]

He drove so fast that not even his watches could keep up, he left time behind

[@geroldatlarge1841]

Wow. Someone who was the best at what he did. Great guy - great stories. No ego either. Rare indeed.

[@scotts9508]

I love the fact that he wore the hell out of his watches and always valued them. I have seen him at some Indycar races too and he is always cordial to fans.

[@tgenden1]

"... I lived a dream and I'm still living it." All this success and still so grateful, couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke.

[@wayne3078]

Brilliant episode and shows how heuer was a massive part of motor racing back then. A really superb collection and great stories behind the watches but most importantly they’ve been worn

[@pastaman6467]

Andretti is so humble! It makes me happy to see that these watches have been properly worn.

[@tim2468]

Mr. Andretti seems like such a nice man. Great interview.

[@urgetodrive]

8:51 I worked with Newman-Haas the year Mario ran #6 on his car (in this still image). I was there the entire month of May 1993 in the garages of Indianapolis Motor Speedway writing data analysis software for the team cars. Good times. Bravo on a great episode!

[@fredhuelsmann1764]

A true gentleman. Pure class.

[@555Gear]

Hats off to the great Mario Andretti!

[@akul1533]

What a legend! More episodes of talking watches with motorsport hall of famers please.

[@MrRichiekaye]

Is this THE Mario Andretti? OMG. When I was young, this man was the greatest explorer of speed and control there ever was.

[@kaushikvyas7582]

Fantastic episode, the story behind the person is great and honestly that’s what I feel makes a good episode

[@zoostation64]

There's a real legend. Great to see Mario on Talking Watches!

[@pilotstyle123]

Shows that a great collection doesnt need bling or the usual big names.

[@stephenpetitt8551]

Brilliant, what a man, what a life! I love how most of those watches look so bashed around!

[@juliannemay7679]

If you have to keep your watch in a drawer you can’t truly afford it. This guy he likes the watch’s, appreciates the reliable utility of them and ironically is such a master of his domain racing against the clock, ultimately a watch now has his name as a cultural reference point. This guy, he likes watches but they’re a consequence of his true obsession - competing and Winning .... beating time. Great little interview that leaves me with a full heart and mind. What a champion!! Thanks.

[@djbiltv]

he's a legend but yet so humble. hodinkee, take note!

[@sergelegault6027]

Great episode, Mr. Andretti you are a very classy and humble gentleman

[@john-carlosynostroza]

he is my new hero! Mario Andretti= definition of a gentleman. This was the best episode of this series ever in my opinion.

[@paulrevere47]

Class Act...Mario Andretti - I grew up with your talent as an amazement in my life, thanks for the great memories Sir!

[@ChizAfterHours]

"Today we're in Rural Pennsylvania" aka, 25 minutes drive from my house lol Always loved seeing Andretti on rare occasions ripping around the area and passing his home. Now that I've seen his watches I admire him even more. What a legend.

[@SM-wi1js]

Mario, you have always been and always will be a class act.

[@sureshobhan]

Wow....wonderful to have revived most of the watches in the collection as a gift of course deservingly....Very interesting gentleman....

[@chronoevolution1871]

Best talking watches ever...Mario is such a humble soul for all he has accomplished.

[@iimaniDAVID]

Good piece. Mario Andretti is someone we could all hear more from.

[@boots_n_coots]

Thanks for filming this, Mario is the best! Great collection too, so full of memories...

[@petemcnulty]

One of the best episodes!

[@alexthelegoguy4504]

“At least I have two of em” That made me laugh so hard!

[@t-murdock]

Fantastic job. I want this guy to be my grandfather.

[@Boswd]

How would you like to be in Marco's shoes,? having Michael Andretti as your father and Mario as your Grandfather , no pressure there.

[@t-murdock]

Bill Dineen it’s just a joke man

[@Boswd]

I didn't think you were serious

[@frodclairvoyantclip]

hahahahahaha

[@jlo6388]

I would settle for sugar daddy

[@jackblackwhole]

A true legend, a humble man, with a humble collection of watches that tells stories of it's time. Hats off.

[@alexlee4588]

Agree with the comments I've seen below - great episode. Great man. Great interview. Credit to Hondinkee and Jon for letting the interview flow. Thank you!

[@stephencanfield]

Perfect example of when the man makes the watch distinguished instead of the other way around.

[@marchills4131]

Every one of the videos in this series that I've viewed is just exquisite. I came of age during the later half of Mario's career. To hear him talk so thoughtfully, so humbly about his accomplishments and his intensely personal watch collection is just a treat.

[@ohlookmarki]

Great interview. You can really feel how treasured his collection is, and how thoughtful he is in curating each item.

[@cleminator]

Great Interview! Probably the best episode so far. Legend and gentleman of a forgotten era. Mario Andretti seems to be very down to earth and humble, despite all his success and fame. And he actually wore the hell out of his watches...awesome! Everyone ding or scratch probably has an amazing story to it.

[@sharpsvilleBill]

Awesome! Mario has been my racing hero since his rookie year at Indy. I live 50 miles north of the track and practically lived the month of May there after I got my drivers license and before Life drew me away (except for the 500). Wonderful to see him looking so well and his beautiful watch collection! p.s. I still have the Indy 500 program from 1970 that Mario so kindly autographed for me!!!

[@bigwu100]

Mr.Andretti, what a lovely person, so grounded and unassuming. A great storyteller. thank you for sharing.

[@bigpizzapie]

Great video. Love the history that comes with all of Andretti’s watches. What a great combination cars and watches!

[@TwentyOne_Five]

There are so many great Talking Watches but this one feels truly special and different. Enjoyed it so much.

[@kunal9346]

Wow - Talking watches has many fantastic episodes but THIS one is just on another level! What a legend!

[@3signets]

Awesome interview of a legend, love his stories connected to each time piece.

[@matnrach]

Absolute legend. Great collection

[@jarek1117]

I remember playing this guys game on SEGA back in '94 ._.

[@TheEgg185]

jarek1117 - Oh really? He's a video game programmer now?

[@tyjohn4779]

Jon is a great interviewer with exceptional taste. Love Ben, but looking forward to more TW episodes hosted by Jon.

[@rickliners6123]

Wow, absolute class. What a gentleman. Men like this are few and far between. He made history that others love to speak about. And what a collection!!! OMG! My favorite episode so far of TW's.

[@rpmf40]

Great interview. More like this please!

[@alexjones2459]

Mario Andretti just seems like the most humble and grateful person. All the way through, he just says "I was very fortunate..." Each story clearly means so much to him, the pride he has in wearing these mementos that were given to him for what he achieved is palpable in every word and mannerism. I'd love to see more Talking Watches with people like this, people for whom the watches are attached to great memories rather than the value, the rarity or the race to collect.

[@eddy_5954]

Mario Andretti, my favourite driver of all time. Nice to see some awesome Heuer's and Tag Heuer's and the brand's tremendous significance in international motor sport racing.. ;)

[@chenyuzi]

Nice video and what a nice man he is! Wonderful collection that could hardly be matched.

[@alfredgarcia6608]

Thank you for another very special interview.

[@m.r.4801]

Great video! Such a nice person :)! Thanks for this trip through Tag heuer racing! Amazing. Always sth new really good episode

[@sachureedas]

Wow!!! The stories. This is a one of a kind collection. Any other collection you could buy if you had the money. But this group of watches is just extraordinary. The man has an amazing story for each one of them. Truly inspired!!!

[@itsalgud1459]

I’ve greatly admired Andretti since early in his career, both as a driver and a person. This video just reminded me that he was much more than one of the greatest drivers ever, the kind of person I could share a beer with and feel very at home.

[@johnrussell5763]

What a great...Lovely Man!!....One of the Greatest driver"s of all time.

[@Blue_3rd]

What a nice man. Nice to see some battered watches too, he wore and enjoyed them. Thanks for a great episode!

[@andreasdassen]

Very interesting video. Tag Heuer has so much heritage.

[@TheMikey1865]

This man is a living icon to motorsports,and to hear him give such humble histories of his achievements and the time pieces he wore while doing so is truly amazing. I was hoping to see the lessor known but still very established Yema from France. Awesome video.

[@jerryhague6861]

A special guy. A super special racecar driver and ambassador of the sport. Nice interview and discussion of this very special watch collection. Thanks.

[@englishsteve736]

What a great guy Mario is, great video thank you.

[@ethos2781]

Mr. Mario Andretti: What a 'True' Gentleman... This man is a rare breed, he is👍

[@batmanarkham5120]

I clicked like before even the video started.. Great job. You guys should make more of these videos and target collectors of relatively low end watches as well.

[@callumfrancis2135]

I never thought Mario would be so humble.... of all the watches, there's something about the diamond digital Tissot that is so special. At the time it must have seemed like it was the perfect blend of the technology of the past and the technology of the future. People back then never could have envisioned just how digital our lives would be now, but at the same time would have thought that digital technology was the way of the future and that there's no way that people in 2021 would lust over a mechanical watch in the way we do now. That, to me is what makes this watch the most special. It doesn't just represent the intersection of classical and modern timepiece technology, but a very unique time at the forefront of the digital age

[@miparo75]

as watch collector and a motorsports enthusiast myself.. i'm in awe at how Mario Andretti is so down to earth with no sense of arrogance but still know he's a proud human being. this is the epitome of BE PROUD, NOT ARROGANT mentality. cheers to Hodinkee and Mr. Andretti.

[@RADIOTHEARTIST]

Great video. Mario is indeed a legend

[@TV-ux4gc]

Absolutely just WOW! Amazing episode!

[@adceal]

What a great interview! Well done!

[@garyabrahams7609]

Great video. His story and the fact that he wore a watch in everyone of his drives or races is quintessentially cool. I say this because every piece now has history etched to it when he looks at it

[@amintaslneto]

Great collection. Great man.

[@fugitive88888]

amazing episode amazing humble person - they aren't people like these anymore

[@thewalrusmonger9878]

Wow. I loved the joy in his voice when he learned about the watches being nick named after him.

[@Lippo187]

One of my favorite episodes so far!

[@mrsergeylandesman]

Such an amazing interview. Bravo!

[@logwind]

One of the best Talking Watches yet.

[@FunWithAJ]

His stories are amazing. He clearly doesnt like being called the greatest so I see him as extremely humble. Seems like a great guy and watch collector.

[@Eric_Broome]

Favorite video of the series so far!

[@snowman01]

This and the John Mayer uploads have been my absolute favourites. I could listen to Mario tell stories about his life for hours

[@Pulsonar]

What a guy Andretti is, incredible anecdotes attached to all his incredible time pieces, peppered with entertaining real life scenarios, high powered people, and famous Hollywood movie stars!!! This racing legends astonishingly successful life has etched priceless character into the metal of every one. To hear him speak of the old Heuers so fondly makes you realise how high in status and function the brand was, even as a genuine professional tool, nothing like the desperate namby pamby TAG thing of today.

[@mrdre1019]

I love this mario.. thank you for this video

[@anthonykent00]

To have a story with every piece (almost) makes this an incredible collection and interview.

[@annelouisejamieson402]

Loved seeing his watch collection, I am also a collector and am proud of my Ferrari team watch in memory of my friend Gilles. Villeneuve

[@williamlopez45]

Nice video. Mario is the best! And he has a great watch collection.

[@pvcegd7554]

watching this in 2022 from South Africa, we are really got glad you got your watch back Mr. Andretti .....

[@mickymcfarts5792]

This is a priceless interview. Possibly historical.

[@miggybyte]

Very humble despite all the achievements. Nostalgic feeling when he tells the stories of his watches. Great man!

[@roytrevisan3491]

I listen to him speak and I just think gentleman. Soooo classy, a true legend. Forza Mario Forza Italia

[@JedSprague]

What a genuine and nice man. Great episode

[@Sturnburn772]

Great episode. More of these type of guests please

[@livefit8936]

Tag Heuer is getting some love and I Love it! Thanks Hodinkee

[@melchizedekpsj]

Nice. Watches, stories, memories!

[@Meltedbutta7]

This was probably one of the most incredible episodes they've had...

[@lipsee100]

Congratulations sir ,what a great interview