After a seven-year hiatus, it’s official: TAG Heuer is back as the official timekeeper of F1. And to celebrate the continuation of this long-standing relationship, the Swiss watchmaker has released the Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing.
“In a sport defined by mental resilience, physical strength, strategy, innovation and performance it is only natural for TAG Heuer to be at the very heart of Formula 1 as Official Timekeeper,” said CEO Antoine Pin in a news release.
“With decades of history in F1 connecting us to the most successful drivers and teams of all time, we are honoured and privileged to be the name connected to the very thing that defines the winner — time.”
Since partnering with F1 back in 1969, over 230 grands prix wins, 595 podiums, 11 constructors’ championships and 14 drivers’ championships have been recorded under the brand’s, ahem, watch, and TAG is hoping this special edition timepiece is going to be another win.
The automatic chronograph is full of nods to the international auto racing sport like the checkered flag dial, dark blue, yellow and red accenting mirroring Oracle Red Bull Racing’s livery, and its logo engraved into the case back. The 44-millimetre grade-2 (commercially pure) titanium case and forged carbon fixed tachymeter bezel provide lightweight and durable comfort, and the complementary blue and red rubber strap is equally hard-wearing.
Red lacquer hits to the screw-down crown and between the case and bezel are nice finishing touches, matching well with the yellow lacquered seconds hand. The white-tipped and rhodium-plated skeleton hour and minutes hands not only look classy but allows the intricate dial to peek through. Super-LumiNova treatment to the latter and stick indices shine green in dim lighting.
Sub dials represent the 12, 9 and 6 o’clock positions, while 3 o’clock has a date window surrounded by printed “Formula 1 Automatic” text and the TAG Heuer logo in white. An anti-reflective flat sapphire crystal protects all of the above. Water resistance is rated at 200 metres.
Tag Heuer and Oracle Red Bull Racing first collaborated in 2016, and since then have released eight different models such as the Connected Calibre E4 featuring four customized digital watch faces. The newest Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing comes in an exclusive box and includes a premium leather travel pouch. MSRP is $6,750.