Most people driving a modern vehicle today do not think twice about their car’s clock. It is, most likely, a simple cluster of pixels on a screen, surrounded by all manner of apps and features. However, in the decades before today’s elaborate infotainment systems, a car’s clock was a much more important part of its interior design. Today, the idea of a car’s clock as an object of style and beauty mostly survives in the world of ultra-luxury machines, where an elegant timepiece is a crucial aspect of the vehicle’s look and feel.In this list, we have put together ten car clocks that we think are among the most interesting from across automotive history, whether they’re installed in an ordinary family car or a high-end bespoke creation. The entries are listed in chronological order, from the oldest to the most recent. Bugatti Type 41 Royale bugatti-type-41-royale-clockThe Bugatti Type 41, also known as the Royale, is a legendary model from Bugatti’s pre-war golden age. Only seven examples of this model were built between 1927 and 1933. It was powered by a 12.8-liter straight-eight engine, a configuration the automotive world would abandon after the war.Founder Ettore Bugatti cared deeply about the quality of the clock installed in the Type 41. He commissioned Swiss watchmaker Breguet to create a series of clocks for installation in the model’s steering wheel, as he already owned a pocket watch from the brand. Peugeot 504 1971-peugeot-504-clock-bring-a-trailerThe Peugeot 504 was produced between 1968 and 1983, over the course of a single generation. It was available in a variety of body styles, including a sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible, and even coupe utility (the car-truck hybrid known to Australians as the “ute”).One of the 504’s most interesting features was its clock. The clock was created by Jaeger, best known as one half of legendary Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre. This stylish clock added a touch of class to the 504 and had an elaborate balance mechanism involving a transistor. Unfortunately, the complexity of the mechanism means that many of the clocks you’d find in surviving examples of the 504 are now non-functional and in need of major repairs. Lincoln Continental Mk IV 1976-lincoln-continental-mark-iv-mecum-1The Lincoln Continental Mark IV, which, despite its name, was the third generation of the Mark series, was produced from 1972 to 1976. A luxury two-door coupe, the Mark IV was unique on the American car market, with its only real competitor being the Cadillac Eldorado.One feature that helped give the Mark IV its high-end character was its clock, built by French luxury brand Cartier. The stylish square clock was offered as an option on most model trim levels; however, if you bought one of a few special editions (Cartier, Bill Blass, Pucci, or Givenchy Edition), it was standard. Maserati Biturbo 1988-maserati-biturbo-clock-iconic-auctioneers-2The Maserati Biturbo was not the only model in the Maserati family to feature this beautiful oval clock, but it was certainly one of the most well-known ones. The Biturbo was first introduced in 1981, but initially featured a digital clock; the analog clock was added as a feature only in the mid-80s.The clock was built by the Swiss firm Bouchet-Lassale and had a distinct shape with two pointed edges. There were four slightly different variants of the clock, installed in a wide range of Maserati models. One of its most interesting characteristics is that it actually contains real gold plating, for an extra dimension of luxury. Infiniti I35 infiniti-i35-clock-style-cars-ytThe Infiniti I35 was the North American version of the Japanese-market Nissan Cefiro. More specifically, it was equivalent to the Cefiro’s third generation, as the second generation had been marketed in the US as the Infiniti I30. The I35 was only on the market for three model years, between 2002 and 2004. It was sold alongside a different North American model based on the Cefiro, the Maxima, which was marketed under Nissan itself rather than the upmarket Infiniti brand.The I35’s dash clock had an iconic oval shape that has become strongly associated with Infiniti, as it was used in several of the brand’s models. The clock was built by Japanese parts manufacturer Calsonic Kansei, which has since merged with Italian firm Magneti Marelli. Jaguar C-X75 jaguar-c-x75-clock-bremontThe Jaguar C-X75 concept – of Bond-villain fame thanks to its appearance in the movie Spectre – is a hybrid concept supercar unveiled in 2010. Although initially earmarked for a small production run, this project was later canceled, leaving only the original concept and a handful of prototypes. In concept form, it has a highly elaborate powertrain with four electric motors, powered by batteries recharged through diesel micro-turbines.The C-X75’s creation was the result of a partnership between Jaguar and the Williams Formula 1 team. Its clock, on the other hand, was the result of a different partnership, between Jaguar and British watchmaker Bremont. The clock does not have a built-in winder; instead, it relies on the vehicle's movement to keep itself wound. Bentley Bentayga 2015-bentley-bentayga-mulliner-tourbillon-clock-the-car-crash-review-ytThe Bentley Bentayga is a luxury SUV first introduced in 2015. The model is still in production today and has been available with a variety of engines, including a V8, W12, V6 hybrid, and a diesel V8.At the time the Bentayga was being designed, Bentley already had a long-established relationship with Swiss watchmaker Breitling; the two brands had first collaborated in 2003, when the Continental GT was fitted with a Breitling clock. As a result of this partnership, Breitling also worked on a special timepiece for Bentley’s new creation. The firm equipped the Bentayga with a self-winding Mulliner Tourbillon clock, featuring a pearlescent dial and a built-in winder. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail rolls-royce-boat-tail-clock-1Between 2021 and 2022, Rolls-Royce created three coachbuilt cars that shared the name Boat Tail. Inspired by the nautical world, these models were all equipped with a host of ultra-luxury, highly customized features tailored to their owners’ individual preferences.The first car in the series was equipped with two detachable clocks that could also be worn as watches. They were created by Swiss watchmaker Bovet in collaboration with Rolls-Royce. A team of designers and craftspeople from both firms worked together to bring these creations to life. Both feature intricate designs depicting the Boat Tail itself, the Spirit of Ecstasy, and a Rolls-Royce grille. Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire rolls-royce-la-rose-noire-clockThe first roadster in Rolls-Royce’s modern history, and the first in the Droptail series, “La Rose Noire” was unveiled in 2023. The Black Baccara inspired its name and design rose. Equipped with a variety of ultra-luxury features, such as a champagne fridge, La Rose Noire also features an equally impressive clock that pops out at the touch of a button to be worn as a wristwatch. A quick-release strap is, of course, part of the package, along with a leather pouch to store it when the clock is on the dashboard.Built by Swiss manufacturer Audemars Piguet, this clock is based on the brand’s Royal Oak. The clock’s full name is quite a mouthful: the Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph. Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage Bugatti Chiron F.K.P. Hommage Programme Solitaire Interior 9The last car on our list is the Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage, a unique creation that celebrates Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Piech (hence the initials in the middle of the car’s name). The F.K.P. Hommage was unveiled at the start of this year; it was built by Bugatti’s new coachbuilding division, Programme Solitaire.On the dashboard of the F.K.P. Hommage, we find a bespoke clock built by Audemars Piguet. Like the one in the Bugatti La Rose Noire, it is also based on the Royal Oak, and was dubbed the Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon due to its signature feature (a tourbillon is a watch mechanism that helps counteract the effects of gravity). The clock has a vibrant red face and takes a place of pride at the top of the Hommage’s center console.