After the announcement that TAG Heuer would return as the title watch sponsor for Formula 1 racing earlier in 2025, it’s been clear that this year would be a major milestone for the brand’s Formula 1 collection. Since its introduction in 1986 (as the first-ever TAG Heuer-branded watch), the Formula 1 has been closely tied to the brand’s racing efforts, as well as a racy, modern entry point into TAG Heuer’s sporty offerings. Released as part of the brand’s LVMH Watch Week 2025 novelties, the Formula 1’s new face for 2025 brings the collection in line with the high-tech, aerodynamic style of the modern pinnacle of motorsports, but also moves the collection upmarket to a surprising degree. Although the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph collection sits at a higher price point than the collection usually occupies (future three-hand and quartz models will likely remain in the more familiar entry-level range), this revised, modern sporting collection offers a more dynamic, complex, and visually refined take on a modern TAG Heuer sports chronograph than the line has ever seen.

Although the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph line measures in at an imposing 44mm wide and 14.1mm thick, these numbers don’t tell the full story of the wearing experience. For a start, there’s the case material to consider. Available in either bare or black DLC-coated, matte-blasted Grade 2 titanium, the Formula 1 Chronograph’s case is commendably light on the wrist, with a clean, almost architectural modern finishing approach that highlights the nuances of this multi-part case design. In addition, the 47.3mm lug-to-lug distance coupled with a steep, angular lug undercut minimizes the overall footprint of the watch on the wrist. This ensures that while the on-wrist presence is bold, even smaller wrists can handle the dimensions with ease (my own wrists are 6.75 inches, for reference).

Where the new Formula 1 Chronograph’s case really shines, though, is not its dimensions but its form. This is a clean break from both the vaguely Autavia-inspired chunky C-case silhouette of the current Formula 1, as well as the rounded, gloriously ‘80s shape of 2024’s Formula 1 Kith collaboration editions. Rather than looking at the brand’s past, the new Formula 1 is firmly aimed at the future, with multiple elements lifted directly from the world of modern single-seater racing. The broad, flowing, vaguely NACA duct-esque case cutouts at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock are the most obvious example of this, lending an aerodynamic look to the beefy case and offering a view into the brightly colored, seemingly anodized (TAG Heuer has not confirmed the finishing technique used here as of press time) mid-case ring inside the larger matte titanium superstructure. Rendered in rich red, electric yellow, lime green, or ice blue depending on the model, this accent ring gives the new Formula 1 a massive punch of character, tying in attractively to both the dial and the strap to lend the design a cohesive, unified feel. Broader, more angular case cutouts at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock further expose this ring, ensuring that an aggressive splash of color is visible from any viewing angle. TAG Heuer further accents this with a color-matched highlight ring on the gear-toothed screwdown crown, as well. The asymmetrically beveled, oblong chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock catch the light commendably on the wrist as well, and by recessing them into the cutout case sides TAG Heuer allows the new Formula 1 to have a nearly symmetrical case profile. It’s a thoughtful, streamlined touch, one that firmly divorces it from the brand’s heritage-focused chronographs in favor of an innovative, aerodynamic future.

The fixed tachymeter bezel is another racing-inspired touch, with a perforated edge evoking the thick, vented carbon brake rotors used on Formula One cars. The bezel insert itself keeps the squared-off, sporty tachymeter scale of previous Formula 1 iterations, but simplifies the usual “Tachymeter” engraving with a more to-the-point term: “Speed.” It’s a punchy shift, one which helps to emphasize the youthful character of the collection, but one that might alienate more seasoned enthusiasts. Most examples of the new Formula 1 Chronograph use simple black aluminum bezel inserts (another move that will likely alienate some enthusiasts, especially given the line’s relatively high price point), but for the special edition Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing variant, the brand instead opts for a forged carbon insert. This simple change adds a wealth of perceived quality to the design on the wrist, and hopefully this makes its way into more Formula 1 iterations in the future. Each model in the series is equipped with a relatively simple engraved solid caseback. Although display backs are becoming far more common at this price point, the cleanliness and simplicity of these solid backs might be preferable to the Calibre 16 movement architecture within. TAG Heuer rates the new Formula 1 Chronograph for an impressively robust 200 meters of water resistance.

For the dials of the new Formula 1 Chronograph line, TAG Heuer keeps the presentation relatively simple, but elevates them with the use of color. The base dial surfaces are heavily grained matte black, broken up by raised glossy chronograph subdial chapter rings in gray at 12 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock. From here, TAG Heuer adds skeletonized sword hands and a set of sloping, beveled applied indices for easy legibility. It’s the chapter ring between the hour indices and the outer minutes scale that truly defines the new Formula 1’s look, however. Each variant in the series (except the Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing) uses these unique, abstract five-minute scale segments to introduce a color accent matching the mid-case ring, ranging from red to pink, yellow, lime green, and ice blue. This vibrant accent hue is further emphasized with the central chronograph seconds hand, as well as the subdial hands at 12 o’clock and 9 o’clock for a stark, futuristic, and suitably racy look. For the Oracle Red Bull Racing variant, TAG Heuer takes things in a markedly different direction. Rather than a simple matte black dial, this version uses a deep navy blue hue lifted straight from the Oracle Red Bull Racing livery. This is accented by a unique checkered flag-style dial texture that “disintegrates” from a full grid pattern at 3 o’clock to a mix of crosshatched squares and full gloss navy on the 9 o’clock side between the subdials. It’s a stylish, almost pixelated look on the wrist, and it will be interesting to see if a similar motif makes its way onto the upcoming Red Bull RB21 Formula One car in the 2025 racing season. The team’s dominant accent colors of red and yellow also make an appearance here, with red used for the chronograph subdials and their outer scales. Meanwhile, yellow stands front and center with the central chronograph seconds hand, as well as accents on the outer minutes scale. Although this version uses a dial-matching accent ring rather than the bold colors of its stablemates, alongside the textures and the more varied hues on display such an addition might come across as busy or overpowering.

As with previous iterations, TAG Heuer powers the new Formula 1 Chronograph with the Calibre 16 automatic chronograph movement. Based on the classic, long-running Valjoux 7750, the Calibre 16 is one of the oldest, most straightforward movements in the brand’s stable. Although the base platform behind the Calibre 16 has been in production for over half a century, the performance figures remain contemporary if unspectacular. A 42 hour power reserve at a 28,800 beat rate leads the headlines, but the basic figures don’t tell the full story. Pusher action is among the best I’ve ever felt in a 7750-based chronograph, with a light, direct action that avoids the stiffness of some alternatives. On the other hand, the Calibre 16’s usual quirks, including an occasionally stuttering chronograph seconds hand and the characteristic “Valjoux wobble” during winding did appear in our hands-on sample. While enthusiasts may balk at a Calibre 16 used at this price point, the sheer reliability and ease of service for these movements is a benefit worth mentioning.

TAG Heuer completes the Formula 1 Chronograph line with a series of rubber straps. Each model has a strap color-matched to the watch’s case and dial (black with dial-color edge highlights for standard models, navy blue with red edge highlights for the Red Bull), which flows directly into the short lugs with a low-rise sculpted effect. Although the edge highlights are a handsome accent, the sheer flexibility and softness of these straps steals the show on the wrist. This is a supremely light and breathable rubber strap option, and when combined with the titanium case and the classic pin buckle, it offers impressive comfort for such a hefty sports watch. With that said, the Formula 1 Chronograph’s sculpted, layered case is crying out for a bracelet option, and if one is added to the collection in the future, it would likely be a hit.

2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for TAG Heuer in its traditional domain of motorsports. As the brand resumes title sponsorship of the Formula One World Championship, its eponymous Formula 1 collection has evolved to reflect this new era of racing. Although the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph family raises the line upmarket from its entry-level roots, its dynamic case design, striking use of color, and excellent ergonomics open the doors for a new generation of lower-priced quartz and three-hand Formula 1s to come. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph collection will be available through authorized dealers on a staggered schedule, ranging from March through June 2025. MSRP for the collection ranges from 4,600 CHF for non-DLC base models to 5,300 CHF for the special edition Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing. For more information, please visit the TAG Heuer website.