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A bold tribute to speed, precision, and racing heritage, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing brings the adrenaline of Formula 1 to the wrist. As TAG Heuer gears up to reclaim its role as Formula 1’s official timekeeper in 2025, this release feels like the perfect way to celebrate the brand’s deep-rooted connection to motorsport.

There are very few brands in the world of watchmaking that share a deep connection with Motorsport as TAG Heuer. Since the mid-20th century, TAG Heuer has been a driving force in precision timing, cementing its place on the wrists of many racing legends. From Steve McQueen’s Monaco in Le Mans to its long-standing presence in Formula 1, TAG Heuer has always embraced the high-octane world of motorsport.

This passion for speed and precision has led to the creation of some of the most iconic racing-inspired timepieces, like the Carrera and Formula 1 collections, cementing the brand’s legacy on and off the track. Among TAG Heuer’s most successful collections, the Formula 1 lineup stands out as a direct tribute to the pinnacle of motorsport.

When the Formula 1 collection was unveiled in 1986, it had all the right elements to make it a success. The first Formula 1 timepieces came with a colourful dial with inexpensive quartz movements that were made in Switzerland, making these timepieces accessible, reliable and attractive on the wrist! Over the years, while the Formula 1 collection evolved, the core design of having a colourful and characteristic dial remained.

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“When Techniques d’Avant Garde completed its acquisition of Heuer in January 1986, TAG Heuer was positioned to launch an entirely new type of watch. Not a racing chronograph, and not a dive watch, the new Formula 1 collection would capitalize on the demand for colourful, inexpensive quartz watches. The “Formula 1” name was perfect for TAG Heuer’s new collection, with Jack Heuer having developed Formula 1 sponsorships in the 1960s and 70s, and TAG Heuer having what would be a long-lived partnership with McLaren in 1985. TAG Heuer catalogues of the period proclaimed proudly that the “Formula 1” name was in honour of the company’s highly successful involvement with the Marlboro McLaren Formula 1 racing team.”

TAG Heuer on the creation of the Formula 1 Collection

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One of TAG Heuer’s most exciting recent partnerships is its official return to Formula 1 as the sport’s timekeeper in 2025. This marks a full circle moment for the brand, which previously held this role from 1993 to 2003. TAG Heuer’s history with F1 runs deep, having sponsored legendary teams such as Ferrari in 1971 and McLaren in the 1980s and 1990s, where it was associated with some of the most dominant cars and drivers in history. Over the decades, the brand has maintained its presence in the paddock, forming close ties with champions and teams that define the sport.

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As we know, this deep-rooted connection between TAG Heuer and Formula 1 has led to several successful partnerships with leading teams, including the ongoing relationship with Oracle Red Bull Racing. As one of the most dominant forces in modern F1, with Oracle Red Bull Racing taking out the 2024 championship title thanks to Max Verstappen’s incredible driving throughout the season, Oracle Red Bull Racing’s relentless pursuit of excellence aligns perfectly with TAG Heuer’s ethos. The latest result of this collaboration is the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Red Bull Racing, a timepiece designed to celebrate speed, precision, and the adrenaline of competition.

Initial Impressions of The Formula 1 Chronograph x Red Bull Racing

TAG Heuer unveiled their latest Formula 1 timepieces as part of a four watch collection. The normal editions were the four timepieces that featured titanium and black DLC coating cases, with vivid red, blue and green colours on the dial to bring out the sportiness of the models. These are good-looking sports watches that is fun to wear for casual and outdoor events, or even for the race weekend!

Related Reading: LVMH WATCH WEEK 2025: The New TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Is Ready To Race!

As Matt describes in his initial impressions of these watches, 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, dials, and bezel with the flashes of light and colour you see in night Grand Prix races, like Singapore and Abu Dabhi.“ 

Then, of course, we have the fifth model, a special edition timepiece dedicated specifically to TAG Heuer’s partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing. As expected, this timepiece features the colour theme of the Formula 1 team on the dial, which makes the timepiece pop. However, they haven’t gone overboard with the colours either. Oracle Red Bull Racing’s team colours of blue, red, yellow, and deep navy blue can get quite messy on a timepiece if not done correctly. One thing is for sure though, unlike the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing released last year (reviewed by Matt), this latest edition has been jam-packed with a lot of aesthetic design elements!

Related Reading: Hands-On With The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing

Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing Case Design

The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Red Bull Racing comes in a 44mm case design that has a mix of materials. Unlike the four models in the standard Formula 1 collection released alongside this timepiece, this special edition model features a durable titanium grade 2 case, that has a cool forged carbon bezel. I mentioned earlier that this watch has a lot of different aesthetic design elements, and this is one of them.

The use of forged carbon for the bezel enhances the racing ties of this timepiece, as we know that carbon fibre is a material used heavily in the world of motorsports. This, combined with a grade 2 titanium case, means that the watch has both strength and lightweight capabilities, making the watch very appealing as a daily timepiece (especially if you’re a hardcore Formula 1 or Oracle Red Bull Racing fan!).

The case has a thickness of 14.5mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 47.30mm, which certainly makes this one of the more larger timepieces I’ve had on my wrist for review. Funnily enough, even with these measurements, on my wrist it actually sits quite nicely. I think this is largely due to the combination of the angeled lugs and rubber strap hugging the wrist. If this timepiece came on a bracelet, it would be too large on my wrist.

The titanium grade 2 case has chronograph pushers and a crown made of the same material. Engaging the chronograph counters gives a super-crisp feel, while the crown is easy to pull out and operate while on the wrist. With the watch’s 3-piece construction, the case back gives the watch extra height on the wrist, which makes engaging these functional features easier.

TAG Heuer has also opted to go for a more sporty and refined approach when it comes to the case design of these new Formula 1 models. Unlike last year’s edition where it featured smooth edges and lugs that were curved, these new editions feature sharp lines, chamfered edges and a much more aggressive design, which you could say is more in line with the Formula 1 car designs of the modern age (think more of front and rear wings of the cars). Whether you like this design approach on a timepiece is down to personal taste; however, these aren’t just your ordinary chronograph models designed for “luxury” wear. These are watches made to reflect a sport where tens of millions are invested in creating racing machines with the latest aerodynamic designs and technology, and I think this case design is TAG Heuer’s way of honouring that on the watches.

Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing Dial

Compared to previous Oracle Red Bull Racing editions created by TAG Heuer, this latest model features a lot of dial elements that ties to not only the world of Formula 1 but also the motorsport team. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Oracle Red Bull Racing uses a lot of colour variation amongst dial patterns to evoke emotions of speed, competition, and high-performance engineering. The dial prominently features a checkered-flag-inspired pattern, a direct nod to the sport’s most iconic victory symbol. However, I can also see this checkered flag pattern as a reference to Oracle Red Bull Racing’s incredibly successful season, being crowned number 1 thanks to Verstappen.

The use of bold colours, which are taken from Oracle Red Bull Racing’s car livery, makes the dial pop. Firstly, we get the checkered pattern done in blue, while the sub-counters are done in a dark navy blue shade, the same shade used on the main colour of the Formula 1 racecar.

The colour red is used throughout the watch. Firstly starting on the case, we see it on the side profile of the crown and underneath the bezel. The TAG Heuer logo on the bezel is done in red, which stands out nicely against the carbon backdrop of the bezel insert. On the dial, TAG Heuer has used red for the hands on the counters, while the “increment” markings on the 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock sub-dials are also done in red.

However, one of the most standout colours on the dial is yellow. While it is used sparingly compared to the other colours, the yellow chronograph is striking, reminding the wearer that this timepiece is built for action. The yellow chronograph second hand isn’t just a bold visual accent—it is a direct nod to the lightning-fast reactions needed in Formula 1. Whether it’s a split-second overtake or a perfectly timed pit stop, precision is everything in motorsport, and this vibrant detail ensures that timing remains at the forefront of the wearer’s experience.

Between all these bold colours, we see the hands and hour indices done in white Superlumi-Nova, allowing the watch to have perfect night-time functionality. The white colour on the hands and indices also allows them to be differentiated from the rest of the dial elements so that time can be read quite easily on what can otherwise be seen as a busy dial.

Movement

The engine inside the new Formula 1 models is TAG Heuer’s trusted Calibre 16 movement. The Calibre 16 is one of TAG Heuer’s most well-known automatic chronograph movements, often found in its motorsport-inspired collections, including the Formula 1 and Carrera lines. The movement is based on the ETA 7750 (or Sellita SW500 movement), which is known to be a robust, reliable and well-proven. TAG Heuer has modified it to now offer excellent reliability and on the dial it gives a well-balanced chronograph layout.

The high beat rate of 28,800 VpH (4Hz) ensures smooth chronograph operation, while the 42-hour power reserve means it can last a full weekend on the wrist. The calibre 16 has been in use in TAG Heuer chronograph models for decades, proving its reliability and the brand’s trust in the movement. While it doesn’t feature an in-house design, its history of performance in professional motorsport settings (including partnerships with racing teams) proves that it can handle the demands of timing high-speed events.

The case back of the timepiece is closed; however, it does come engraved with a pattern that shows the watch’s ties to the motorsporting world. Firstly, we get a checkered pattern with TAG Heuer’s logo in the centre, the same design that we see on the dial. Then, we have Oracle Red Bull Racing’s logo in large and clear view, showing the (coloured) inspiration behind the timepiece.

How Does It Wear?

The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing on the wrist feels like a timepiece that’s built for action. A case size of 44mm gives a significant wrist presence but not so big that it feels unwearable, even on my 6.5-inch wrist. This is thanks to the short, well-curved lugs that allow the case not to feel overbearing and also make the timepiece hug the wrist contours comfortably. Whether you are gripping a steering wheel or simply just going about your day, the design of the case gives a secure and balanced fit on the wrist!

The watch’s aesthetics deliver everything you’d expect from a timepiece inspired by Formula 1. On the wrist, the bold colour contrasts make the watch stand out from afar but in a way that isn’t in your face. This is, as mentioned previously, thanks to TAG Heuer’s smart use of colours on the right elements so that the dial doesn’t look like it’s overflowing with colour. The racing-inspired details make it a statement piece without it being overwhelming.

The combination of brushed and polished surfaces adds depth to the timepiece, catching the light in a way that emphasizes the watch’s sporty nature. The tachymeter bezel frames the dial perfectly, with its carbon finish reinforcing that this is a watch inspired by a world where material choice makes all the difference. The white tachymeter scale on the bezel stands proudly against the carbon background, telling the wearer that SPEED is the game’s name, whether that’s on the track or timing your morning coffee run!

The rubber strap option is also a no-brainer for me. The rubber strap is comfortable on the wrist, which means that it can be worn for long periods of time without any issues, making it an easy all-day wear. The strap also molds to the wrist effortlessly, which is one of the reasons why the watch doesn’t feel oversized on my slim wrists. The strap has also been carefully designed to mimic Oracle Red Bull Racing’s colours while also giving the watch a beautiful aesthetic side profile look. The strap on the surface is navy blue, matching the dial perfectly, while the side profiles are done in red to match the red on the case’s side profile! Overall, this gives the timepiece a well-thought out look, reflective of Oracle Red Bull Racing’s precision planning in winning championships!

Final Thoughts

The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing is one timepiece that fully embraces the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1. From its bold dial design to the intricate racing-inspired details, such as the checkered racing dial to Oracle Red Bull Racing’s team colours, it successfully captures the energy, precision, and competitive spirit that define both TAG Heuer and Oracle Red Bull Racing. The blend of vibrant colors, particularly the striking use of yellow, makes the watch stand out beautifully while reinforcing its connection to high-speed motorsport.

Beyond the aesthetics of the timepiece, the 44mm case size and its ergonomic design make it accessible for most, even those with smaller wrists. Although on paper, the watch seems large, the sloped lugs and the rubber strap make it a comfortable fit on the wrist. It’s a watch designed not just for die-hard racing enthusiasts but for anyone who appreciates performance-driven design and reliable chronograph functionality.

With TAG Heuer making their return as the official timekeeper of Formula 1 in 2025, this latest Formula 1 Chronograph feels like the perfect way to mark the occasion. It pays tribute to the sport’s fast-paced nature with a bold case and dial design and is wearable thanks to the comfortable rubber strap, making the timepiece stand out both on and off the track. If you’re after a watch that embodies the thrill of Formula 1 and the technical prowess of TAG Heuer, this release is certainly one to consider!

Reference: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing (CBZ2080.FT8091)

Specifications

• Case Size: 44mm
• Case Lug-To-Lug: 47.3mm
• Case Thickness: 14.5mm
• Case Material: Grade 2 titanium with sand-blasted finish. The bezel insert is made of carbon.
• Dial: Opaline blue checkered dial with Oracle Red Bull Racing colour theme. Applied indices with white SuperLumi-Nova
• Movement: Calibre 16
• Power Reserve:  42 hours (28,800 VpH/4Hz Frequency)
• Water Resistance: 200m (20 bar)
• Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.
• Strap/Bracelet: Blue and red rubber strap with fine brushed steel pin buckle.

Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD 8,050

Availability: Available now through TAG Heuer boutiques and authorised retailers, or online at TAGheuer.com.au