TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph
All photography: courtesy of TAG Heuer

OVER THE LAST few decades, TAG Heuer has become synonymous with motorsport. In 1971, Heuer became the first non-automotive brand to sponsor an F1 team, when the watchmaker struck a deal with Ferrari to provide timekeeping equipment for the team. The marque wasn’t loyal to a single team, however, later sponsoring both McLaren and Red Bull, as well as serving as the official timekeeper of F1 from 1992-2003 – a role it has since returned to, starting this year.

So yes, TAG Heuer and F1 go way back. But of all the watchmaker’s memorable moments from its history with racing, the one that stands out the most came in 1986, when TAG Heuer released its initial Formula 1 collection. In its original run, the Formula 1 collection was made from plastic, stainless steel and quartz and came in a variety of flashy colours. They were inexpensive, immensely popular, and became the unofficial entry point into watch collecting for young enthusiasts all over the world.

In 2024, after a few decades of enduring popularity, TAG Heuer responded to the demands of fans by teaming up with New York City label Kith to revive the beloved Formula 1 collection, with a limited-edition run of 1,350 pieces that sold out practically the moment they went on sale. That was enough to convince TAG Heuer that the collection deserved more than a limited-edition re-release. Now, the watchmaker has announced that it is reintroducing the Formula 1 collection for good, revealing nine new timepieces at Watches & Wonders, three of which are joining the brand’s core collection.

TAG Heuer

The new Formula 1 collection pays homage to the original versions but updates them with a more contemporary 38mm case, improved finishing with sandblasted steel and DLC treatment, and perhaps most intriguingly, Solargraph technology – which means the watches are solar-powered.

At the core of the Solargraphs is the TH50-00 movement, an ultra-efficient calibre that harnesses light through the watch’s dial-integrated photovoltaic cells. Utilising a rechargeable battery, just two minutes of sunlight provides enough energy for a full day of power, while a full charge will power it for up to ten months. Even if it does stop ticking, TAG Heuer says that just ten seconds of sun exposure will get the Solargraph started again.

The new Formula 1 Solargraph watches come in a variety of colour schemes. The three that are joining the core collection boast black and white, deep blue or bold red dials. The six limited edition pieces come in black and red, black and yellow, black and blue, white and green, white and red, and green and red.

The new collection maintains all the elements that made the original series so popular; pop colours, a quirky design and a relatively low price point. But with the addition of new innovations like the Solargraph movement, there’s no doubt they’ll be an instant hit.

What has TAG Heuer released at Watches & Wonders 2025?

In addition to the new Formula 1 Solargraph collection, TAG Heuer has also unveiled an exclusive take on its Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph | F1. The new version features a strikingly white ceramic case, which contrasts with its bold red dial. A sapphire crystal lends it a great deal of transparency from the red-tinted dial to the caseback, which offers an unobstructed view of Calibre TH81-00. The Calibre TH81-00 is one of Tag Heuer’s lightest and most advanced chronograph movements. Just ten pieces from this limited-edition run will go on sale.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date is also receiving a revamp. Six new models with varying dials, materials and straps were unveiled at Watches & Wonders, all of which are powered by the manufacture movement TH31. They also feature high-end finishings, including a shield-shaped oscillating mass which is visible through the caseback.

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