Much to the chagrin of my fellow automotive enthusiast friends, I am not an ardent Formula 1 follower—I prefer motorsports of the all-wheel drive variety, coated in mud in the Finnish wilderness. Still, the allure of the screaming engines, blinding speed, and pure bling of Formula 1 isn’t lost on me. Millions of fans worldwide are captivated by the sport and its entrants for a reason—and TAG Heuer, the official timekeeper of Formula 1, has nine new references to match that ever-growing fervor.
In celebration of the colorful 1986 origin of the brand’s Formula 1 Collection, the new models feature bright hues and a reimagined design. Three of the nine pieces feature the more “classic” dial colors of black and white or blue on a steel bracelet. The remaining six are limited edition colorways: black and red, black and yellow, blue and black, white and green, white and red, and green and red.
According to TAG Heuer, each model pays direct homage to the 1986 collection in design and function. However, key changes reflect contemporary taste—instead of the original 35mm, the new cases (constructed of sandblasted steel or TH-Polylight depending on the model) measure 38mm but retain the sporty aesthetic that the line is known for. The original shield-shaped markers have also been modernized, appearing now as applied and Super-Luminova-treated indexes. The “Mercedes”-style hands carry on, as does the chunky 60-second scale bezel, date window at 3 o’clock, and aggressive typeface. A steel crown at 3 and a screw-down case back give the Formula 1 100m of water resistance.
Differences between the models in the collection come down to materials chosen for certain elements. Case materials range from the aforementioned sandblasted steel to DLC steel sandblasted or TH-Polylight, while indexes and hands are either lacquered or rhodium-plated. Bracelet options also set the models apart: matching three-row bracelets with a folding clasp, and color-matched rubber straps with a DLC steel pin buckle are available depending on the colorway. All of these details feel overwhelming and confusing on paper, but mostly come down to whether the model is limited or non-limited—they’ll also likely make more sense once the models are out in the wild.
TAG Heuer’s in-house Solargraph Calibre TH50-00 movement is the beating heart of the Formula 1 collection, appropriately beefed up for modern audiences. The brand asserts that two minutes of direct sunlight can power the watch for a full day, while a mere 40 hours in the sun can assure 10 months of power with no light subsequent exposure. Tack on the predicted 15-year battery life, and you’ve got a watch that won’t leave you stranded on the track, or anywhere else.
In short, the new Formula 1 models are unmistakable in silhouette and function, and will likely satisfy collectors who want a full set to match their 1986 editions, F1 fans ravenous for a branded timepiece, and anyone looking for a colorful and functional sports watch. Each of the nine models will be released in correspondence with events in the 2025 Formula 1 season, starting in May with the Miami GP and concluding in October with the Mexico GP. The retail price is CHF 1,850. TAG Heuer
