The Swiss watchmaker evolves its iconic F1 collection to take pole.
1986 was quite the year for Formula 1 fans – and not just because Alain Prost secured the top spot, but because it was the year that devout lovers of the sport truly got to pledge their allegiance by fastening a TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch to their wrist. A rainbow of a collection, with hues enough to pair with your team on the grid, the collection amassed a legacy that has echoed into the 21st century. Ask any millennial or Gen Y who copped one of them, and chances are they’ll tell you they’ve still got it.
But Gen Z wanted a say too, given that the elite racing saga has captured 18-24-year-olds in the UK as among their top five sports. So last year, TAG Heuer answered the call by bringing back the icon in collaboration with American lifestyle brand Kith, in a limited run. Those lucky enough to get their hands on the hottest revival of the year did so as quickly as today’s V6 engines on the grid.
Much like Formula 1, however, you never know what’s around the corner. For this year’s Watches and Wonders reveal, TAG Heuer keeps the F1 fandom alive, taking the collection to pole position with the release of nine new TAG Heuer Formula 1 references. The race isn’t over, people, it’s just getting started. Reimagining the 1980s classic in a new format, life in the fast lane is presented with three models that form the core collection, available in a classic black and white dial alongside deep blue, both with a steel bracelet, and bold red, meaning that you tap into the automotive universe even in the off-season.
To accompany the three core models, six limited edition iterations take to the podium in black and red, black and yellow, blue and black, white and green, white and red, and a green and red edition. What marks this modern homage from its predecessors? A shift in size, from 35mm to 38mm, but most importantly, a focus on innovating these 80s idols.
At the heart of each watch sits a Solargraph movement, a battery that charges via the sun or artificial light. Once fully charged, after less than 40 hours in the sun, the watch will accompany you for up to 10 months without any additional light exposure. And should your trusty sporting tool stop at a red light, all it needs is ten seconds in the light to get the engine revving again.
Pertaining to the true spirit of Formula 1’s innovation, TAG Heuer takes these codes and introduces a new material, TH-Polylight, known for its lightweight and durable capabilities, so that even in the cockpit, you won’t feel any added weight. So whether you’re sitting on the sofa tuning into the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, or trackside in the capital, the race never stops with a TAG Heuer Formula 1 by your side.
Words – Scarlett Baker
