Reviews
Available in the Shop: Our Selection of Top TAG Heuer Formula 1 Watches With Watchfinder & Co
Designed by Eddy Burge, the first generation of Formula 1 watches offered three-hand and chronograph models powered by quartz calibres from ETA. The collection’s name had an obvious reference to TAG and Heuer’s illustrious history with motorsports. The Heuer company was not new to chronograph manufacturing. Some of the pieces in the company’s catalogue then dated back to 1882. While TAG had sponsored the Williams team from 1979-1981, Heuer supported Ferrari in the 1970s. While most race track heroes—from Bruce McLaren to Mario Andretti to Gilles Villeneuve—sported the Heuer Autavia in the 1960s, Carrera too was a prominent fixture amongst drivers who prefered elegant watches with great legibility.
Last year, TAG Heuer introduced a premium model in this range priced at USD 6500, which costs as much as a Monaco and more than most Carreras. A collaboration with influential Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara, the TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Chronograph was released as a limited edition of 500 pieces. This was the first time that a Formula 1 watch was equipped with the in-house Heuer 02 Chronograph movement. For this new collaboration, Fujiwara created a daring reinterpretation of TAG Heuer’s signature motor-racing inspired C-Case models from the 1960s and 1970s (think vintage Heuer “Viceroy”’ Autavia 1163 as its inspiration.
This week we have added a couple of cool TAG Heuer Formula 1 pieces to our shop. One of them is a chrono from 2007. Part of the third series of the Formula 1 watches, this timepiece has a distinct quarter Arabic dial in white with a tri-colour register at 6 o’clock. The 41 mm watch in steel is water-resistant up to 200 metres and is offered with its original set of box and papers.