Since its introduction in 2015, the TAG Heuer Connected has played a prominent role in the luxury smartwatch space. While the fundamental concept of a “luxury smartwatch” might be inherently baffling to traditional enthusiasts, the genre has seen a steady rise in popularity due to the number of people who appreciate the functionality of a smartwatch, but who also seek a more elevated ownership experience than what is provided by standard consumer-grade electronics like a Fitbit or the Apple Watch. For its most recent release of 2024, TAG Heuer has teamed up with Oracle Red Bull Racing to create a thematic version of its 45mm Connected Calibre E4 smartwatch, and the new timepiece is intended to be a premium lifestyle accessory for super-fans of the Red Bull Formula 1 racing team.
This isn’t the first time that one of the LVMH brands has created a smartwatch intended for super-fans of a sport, as Hublot has produced several versions of its Big Bang Bang E smartwatch that cater to the world of soccer. These types of thematic luxury smartwatches are frequently misunderstood by enthusiasts who don’t fully understand the positioning of these models within their respective brands’ lineups. Rather than being a smartwatch alternative for people who would normally purchase one of the brand’s entry-level models, these types of thematic smartwatches are more frequently purchased by wealthy individuals who already own multiple luxury timepieces. These buyers view these sports-themed models as comparatively affordable ways to augment their spectator experience, while simultaneously indulging in their horological passions.
Aside from its strap, which appears in Red Bull’s team colors, the new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition appears to be largely identical to the standard-production 45mm titanium models from the current Connected Calibre E4 series. Its case is crafted from grade 2 titanium with a black DLC finish, while its bezel is made from black ceramic. DLC-finished stainless steel is used for the crown and pushers on the right-hand side of the case. A sapphire crystal protects the touch screen, and the titanium caseback features a PPG sensor, along with the charging ports for the watch. Additionally, just like the standard TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 models, the new Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition features 50 meters of water resistance to protect it while serving as a fitness tracker or sports watch.
The strap that comes with the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition offers bi-material construction with a rubber internal structure covered by leather. The outer section of the strap is dark blue with a red stripe running down its center as a nod to Red Bull’s team colors. The strap is completed by a grade-2 titanium folding clasp that operates with a double push-button release, and the clasp is given a black DLC finish with a gray lacquered TAG Heuer shield logo. Additionally, for those who may not want to wear Red Bull’s livery on their wrist every single day, TAG Heuer includes an additional black rubber strap that can easily be swapped out using the brand’s quick-release system located on the bottom of the straps near the lugs.
Featuring an assortment of sensors that include a heart rate monitor, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone, and barometer, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition uses Wear OS by Google as its operating system. It includes the brand’s usual suite of apps that include everything from stopwatches and alarms to wellness and activity tracking modes, plus dedicated software for sports like running and golf. Battery life for TAG Heuer’s Connected models comes in at a single day, which is quite a bit shorter than what you get from something like the Apple Watch Ultra (let alone a Garmin). However, the real reason someone would buy this Oracle Red Bull Racing version of the TAG Heuer Connected is that they want its F1-specific watch faces and applications.
At the time of launch, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition comes equipped with four F1-themed watch faces, although it appears that only one of them offers any type of additional F1-related functionality. The hero face (named “Session”) features small flags along the outer perimeter of its display to represent the countries where the season’s Formula 1 races will take place, and the display evolves throughout the year to highlight the country where the teams will be competing that weekend. From there, the additional F1-themed watch faces get increasingly less interesting, and while one of the faces is a digital rendition of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Red Bull Racing Special Edition watch from 2022, the “Asphalt” watch face features a textured background inspired by racetrack surfaces, and the “RB20” watch face appears to simply show a picture of Red Bull’s car for the 2024 season.
Although the “Session” watch face tracks the progression of the race calendar throughout the season, the more comprehensive F1-related functionality of the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition comes from the Oracle Red Bull Racing application. Before each race weekend, the app will display a countdown to the race, and throughout the weekend, it showcases images of the Red Bull team from Friday’s free practice to Sunday’s race. After the race, the app will update to display the results for Red Bull’s drivers and the team’s current position within the standings. Owners also have the option of receiving updates to keep them continuously looped into the latest news about the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.
Unlike Hublot’s soccer-themed Big Bang Bang E smartwatches that appeal equally to fans of any team, the new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition (ref. SBR8A80.EB0365) is firmly dedicated to the Red Bull F1 squadron, and with an official retail price of $1,950 USD, it will likely exclusively appeal to Red Bull super-fans. With that in mind, rumors have been swirling about how TAG Heuer will become the Official Timekeeper of Formula One when Rolex’s current contract with the series ends at the end of the year. Should all of that come to fruition in 2025, I can only imagine we will see another F1-themed TAG Heuer smartwatch that celebrates the new partnership. For more information on the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition smartwatch, please please visit the brand’s website.
