Matt Clymo 
With TAG Heuer the new timing partner for Formula 1, they’ve celebrated with a new suite of Formula 1 watches, and they are race ready and ready to race.
By now, most of us will be well aware that TAG Heuer has re-joined the ranks of Formula 1 as the official timing partner for the next 10 years as part of a wider deal between the LVMH Group and Formula 1. If you’re not across the details, have a read of our coverage on the topic here and here. As part of this year’s LVMH Watch Week, and to celebrate the new partnership, TAG Heuer has launched a new collection of Formula 1 Chronographs which take inspiration from the thrill of night racing.
The core collection consists of four new pieces, all made from lightweight grade 2 sandblasted titanium, with three done in a black DLC coating with red, blue and green accents, and the fourth in the raw metal itself and red accents. The use of titanium reflects the lightweight nature of the F1 cars themselves and helps to lend to the ergonomics of the 44mm case size.
Each of the models is designed with a black aluminium tachymeter bezel which is framed by a coloured ring between the case and bezel, drawing inspiration from F1’s precision engineering. The angled chronograph pushers hug the case and adds to the ergonomic nature of the watch, allowing for ease of use and almost hiding when not needed.
From a wearability perspective, while the 44mm may sound a little imposing, the 47.3mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 14.1mm in addition to the lightweight titanium make these a great everyday piece that doesn’t feel out of place on the wrist. Several of us here at Watch Advice had these to wear and we all have different wrist sizes, mine being the biggest at 17.5cm, followed by Champs and then Sam and Mario, and on each of our wrists, they seemed to fit well.
As mentioned, the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection draws inspiration from the energy of night racing. The concept of “Grand Prix by night”, as TAG Heuer calls it, blends the darkness of night in the case and dials and bezel, and mixes it with the flashes of light and colour you see in night Grand Prix races, like Singapore and Abu Dabhi. The red, blue or green ring around the outside of the dial, matching chronograph seconds hand and colour-matched ring between the bezel and case are all designed to evoke the colours, and on the watch, brings them to life.
Inside the watch is the Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph movement with a 42-hour power reserve and beating at 28,800 VpH or 4Hz. The calibre 16 is a stalwart when it comes to TAG Heuer chronograph movements, and while not being in the same league as the new TH20-00 found in the Carrera line, it is a workhorse nonetheless and won’t let you down.
Initial Thoughts
While my time with the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronographs was short and sweet, Sam will have a more detailed and in-depth review of the special edition Oracle Red Bull Racing variant next month to see how it handles out and about. I digress. For fans of Formula 1, or those who want a good-looking sports watch that doesn’t take life too seriously, these new models are a good choice. They are a racing chronograph through and through, sporty, modern and a welcome addition to the iconic Formula 1 collection.
On the wrist, they are comfortable, the rubber straps are super flexible and the watch is light and easy to wear – the exact goal of the engineers at TAG Heuer. To me, these will fit into a collection for those people who want something less formal or perhaps have a more active lifestyle, or those F1 fans who want a watch that represents the sport they love.
Reference:
- CBZ2085.FT8093 – Red
- CBZ2084.FT8097 – Blue
- CBZ2082.FT8096 – Titanium
- CBZ2086.FT8098 – Green
Specification:
- Case: 44m x 47.3 mm lug-to-lug x 14.5mm thick
- Case Material: Grade 2 Titanium, black DLC coating on the Red, Blue and Green
- Case back: Grade 2 Titanium, black DLC coating on the Red, Blue and Green
- Dial: Black opaline dial with coloured accents and chronograph counters
- Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Water Resistance: 200m / 20bar
- Movement: Calibre 16 Automatic movement beating at 4Hz / 28,000 VpH
- Power reserve: 42 Hours
- Strap: Black rubber strap on the Blue, Green and Titanium Grey, Red rubber on the Red variant all with a black titanium DLC pin buckle.
