TAG Heuer strengthens its entry level position with the release of three new Formula 1 Chronographs in bright racing colours powered by quartz movements.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronographs in bright racing colours
The new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronographs are retailing at SGD 2,600 inclusive of GST, available now.
Commentary
Just in time to celebrate the return of the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix Night Race, TAG Heuer releases three new playful chronographs powered by quartz movements. This is a traditional stronghold for the maison, with good support from enthusiasts at the entry level, and fits right into the genre we discussed on last Sunday’s Newbie Collector recommendations for watches below SGD 5k.
The three colours chosen are red, yellow and green. All very bright. All evoking a young, fun feel. The series is rather reminiscent of the Breitling Endurance Pro series released in 2020, which is pitched at a price level which is one notch higher.
Though the key difference is that the TAG features the entire dial in the brilliant colours, including the rubber straps. While for Breitling the watches are essentially black with colour accents and straps. TAG proposes 3 new colours, while Breitling has 5. Aesthetically, the TAG F1 offerings use more traditional dial markings, while the Breitling Endurance Pro uses bold fonts to exaggerate the dial feel. But we must highlight that TAG Heuer has traditionally offered quartz watches with brightly hued dials, so the new series can be seen as a continuation of this, rather than following a trend set by others.
Both are quartz chronograph movements, though the Breitling justifies its higher price positioning by the use of SuperQuartz, which is said to be more accurate due to temperature compensation and the movement is COSC certified.
AT SGD 2.6k, the watches seem to offer a good value proposition. All three colour options look very nice, with all the aesthetic elements addressed well.
Release information
Swiss luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer is shaking up its popular TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection with three stylish models in fresh, energetic colors evocative of the racetrack: green, yellow, and red. These statement quartz sports watches authentically capture the spirit of the first TAG Heuer Formula 1 pieces from the 1980s, which were celebrated for their cool colors and character. They will immediately stand out on the wrist of lovers of edgy watchmaking who expertly mix high performance and daring style.
Today’s novelties boldly express TAG Heuer’s love for speed, adrenaline, and audacious design. Green, yellow and red have been signature motorsport colors for decades, they carry on the legacy of the race car livery colors established in the Interwar era and which indicated the nation of origin of the car, its driver, or its team: British Racing Green, Or for yellow and gold, Rosso Corsa Italian red, and more. These traditional colors officially ruled the track until the 1970s, but they are still omnipresent today – flags, lights, track markings, team liveries… they make up the enduring palette of this thrilling sport.
The updated design codes of the three pieces are assertive and fun, with a harmonious and dynamic play of contrasting colors and subtle unique details for each reference for a cool statement look that will make a lasting impression. The 43-mm case is in fine-brushed stainless steel with pushbuttons at 2 and 4 o’clock and a strong black PVD steel fixed tachymeter-scale bezel with positive numerals. The screw-down steel case back reveals a checkered flag motif, sign of a successfully completed race.
The stylish case houses a luminous sunray brushed dial with three “azurage” chronograph sub-counters which add texture, depth, and light effects. The angled date window is positioned at 4 o’clock and the contrasting hands and indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova® for excellent legibility at high speed. With its streamlined and textured rubber strap the TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronograph is ready for high intensity uses; its vivid hue seamlessly matches the dial and completes the bright full-colored look.
For optimal clarity and balance, each colored piece features slightly different details. On the green edition the indexes and hands are black with white Super-LumiNova®, the central hand is lacquered white, and the chronograph sub-counters are circled in red.
On the yellow edition, the indexes are black with white Super-LumiNova®, the hours and minutes hands are black, and the central hand is lacquered red.
And for the red edition the hands and indexes are rhodium-plated with white Super-LumiNova®, the central hand is lacquered white, and the chronograph sub-counters are circled in white.
Together the three chronographs form a vibrant assortment that
will delight racing enthusiasts and lovers of cool statement sports watches that complement their bold personality. The new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph is available from September 2022 in TAG Heuer boutiques, on the brand’s e-commerce websites and at select retail partners.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Specifications
Movement
Quartz
Function
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Dial
CAZ101AP
Green sunray brushed dial
Black indexes, facetted hour and minutes hands with white Super-Luminova® White lacquered central hand
CAZ101AM
Yellow sunray brushed dial
Black indexes, facetted hour and minute hands with white Super-Luminova® Red lacquered central hand
CAZ101AN
Red sunray brushed dial
Rhodium plated applied indexes, facetted hour and minute hands with white Super-Luminova®
White lacquered central hand
Black flange with 60 second/minute scale
3 counters:
– 3 o’clock: black “azurage” permanent second indicator; rhodium-plated
hand, red polished tip
– 6 o’clock: black “azurage” hour chronograph counter; 1/10th second
chronograph counter; rhodium-plated hand, red polished tip
– 9 o’clock: black “azurage” minute chronograph counter; rhodium-plated
hand, red polished tip 4 o’clock angled date
Case
43 mm diameter
Fine brushed stainless-steel case
Steel black PVD tachymeter fixed bezel
Black PVD stainless-steel standard crown at 3 o’clock, with black PVD fine brushed stainless-steel pushbuttons at 2 and 4 o’clock
Fine brushed stainless steel crown protector at 3 o’clock
Stainless-steel screw-down case back
Water-resistant to 200 meters (20 bar)
Strap
Fine brushed steel pin buckle; TAG Heuer engraving
FT8056
Green rubber strap
FT8054
Yellow rubber strap
FT8055
Red rubber strap
Availability
From September 2022
