Few watchmakers are as deeply tied to motorsport as TAG Heuer. From Jack Heuer’s early days selling stopwatches to racers at the track to the creation of entire collections inspired by the sport—Monaco, Carrera, and, of course, Formula 1. So it came as little surprise when TAG Heuer recently confirmed, after much speculation, its sponsorship of Formula 1 as part of a larger partnership with LVMH and its luxury counterparts like Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy.
While some brands might settle for trackside branding, TAG Heuer took a more fitting approach, by reaffirming its dedication to the quintessential racing watch: the chronograph. At LVMH Watch Week, TAG Heuer unveiled three new Carrera models alongside a fresh lineup of Formula 1 chronographs.
TAG Heuer F1
Starting with the latter, the new Formula 1 models embrace the spirit of modern F1 with lightweight titanium cases and bold accents in electric blue, lime green, and bright red. These four core designs balance high-performance functionality with an unmistakable “look at me” appeal.
While the 44mm case may seem like a departure from the collection’s heritage, considering original models from the ’80s maxed out at 36mm, it wears surprisingly smaller on the wrist. But this update isn’t about nostalgia; it’s a reflection of today’s high-tech, adrenaline-fueled F1 culture.
Completing the lineup is a special edition created in partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, featuring the team’s signature red, blue, and yellow colorway, arguably the most fan-friendly piece in the collection.
TAG Heuer Carrera
On the Carrera front, TAG Heuer enthusiasts have plenty of options to choose from. Looking for a timepiece that mixes functionality with a touch of luxury? Consider the 39mm glass-box Carrera in steel, adorned with 72 diamonds around the flange, available in soft pink or deep blue.
If those don’t appeal, there are also a few Carreras in a rich deep purple. The 42mm tourbillon certainly earns major watch collectors credibility, but in our opinion, the 39mm version offers a more refined appeal, especially at roughly a quarter of the price.
Then there’s the collaboration with Porsche. Available in both steel and gold, the 42mm black-dial Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye pays tribute to an automotive legend while building on the 2023 white-dial Chronosprint. Like its predecessor, this model takes the chronograph complication to new heights.
The tachymeter scale is nonlinear, and the central seconds hand accelerates quickly for the first 15 seconds before slowing to complete a full minute. This design allows for more precise timing of short intervals thanks to a larger scale in those initial seconds. As a tribute to the time it took the Porsche 911 “147” to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in Monte Carlo in 1965, the first 8.4 seconds are marked in red.
Is it useful for everyday use? Probably not. But it’s still impressive, and sometimes, that’s all that matters.
