The major hint watch enthusiasts received in 2024 that TAG Heuer would be relaunching the Formula 1 range was when the brand released the very popular and limited-edition set of historic-themed TAG Heuer Kith Formula 1. watches. Those watches evoked the original size and design of the 1980s TAG Heuer Formula 1 products. The original Formula 1 watches were the first watches to bear the “TAG Heuer” name; A group called TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde) purchased Heuer in 1985, and, in 1986, released the Formula 1 family of affordable Swiss Made timepieces. Their launch helped retell the story of TAG Heuer and Formula 1 while getting timepiece fans thinking about the larger TAG Heuer Formula 1 product category and priming them for more to come. Then, the biggest news came early in January 2025 when TAG Heuer announced it was returning as the title timing sponsor of the Formula 1 racing series. TAG Heuer had once been the main watch sponsor of F1 but had ceded that status to Rolex. When TAG Heuer reestablished its relationship with Formula 1, it made it very clear that new Formula 1 watches were on the horizon. Sure enough, late last month, TAG Heuer launched an entirely new family of automatic chronograph Formula 1 watches known simply as the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph. Everything about the visual design of these Formula 1 watches is new, even though TAG Heuer’s legacy with its Formula 1 watch family goes back to 1986. In fact, I believe that there will be additional new TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches later in 2025 (and beyond). I suspect that three-hand mechanical, as well as quartz-based Formula 1 watches could be slated for release by summer 2025. For now, we have six new automatic chronograph versions of the TAG Heuer Formula 1.

The most apparent thing about the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph watches is the non-round case shape. TAG Heuer clearly wants these watches to be recognizable from afar, and an easy way to do that is with a novel case shape (more thoughts on the case below). TAG Heuer also wanted to add sporty lightness and colorful playfulness to the Formula 1 pieces, as such attributes have typified Formula 1 pieces for many years. Accordingly, these Formula 1 Chronograph watches feature mostly grade 2 titanium 44mm-wide cases and are skillfully decorated with enough color to make them feel fun, but not so much color as to make them feel immature. The cases are 14.1mm thick, 47.3mm long lug-to-lug, and have an impressive 200 meters of water resistance. Over the dials are flat AR-coated sapphire crystals. Luminous material is added to the applied hour markers and on the tips of the semi-skeletonized hands.

According to TAG Heuer, the new cushion-style Formula 1 cases are supposed to suggest aerodynamic Formula 1 car bodies, while there are subtle details meant to evoke other automotive elements. A good example is the texture of small circular indentations on the exterior walls of the bezel, which are meant to mimic the look of a ventilated brake rotor. The cases are very masculine and strong in their design and wear boldly on the wrist. The integrated style of the chronograph pushers is a nice touch. This is certainly the most complicated case I can recall for the TAG Heuer Formula 1, but it is also the most expensive Formula 1 I can think of.

As a design motif on the bezel, the archaic tachymeter scale maintains its importance for these racing world-inspired timepieces. At least now the term “Speed” is used on the scale to help laypeople know what it’s all about. The fixed bezel is either produced from an aluminum insert or a piece of forged carbon, depending on the specific Formula 1 Chronograph model. You can also see how TAG Heuer plays with the case color: All versions currently have DLC-coated black titanium pushers and crown, but some models also add a full DLC-coated black titanium case. The straps are in rubber, and available in a few colors depending on the model. Thankfully, TAG Heuer pairs them with traditional pin buckles (and not folding deployants), which are actually more useful for sports (and more comfortable, in my opinion).

Those who like relatively straightforward “tool watch” dials will likely appreciate the direction TAG Heuer took with the face design of the new Formula 1 Chronograph models. TAG Heuer blends simple functionality with a bit of design flair in the form of stylized hands and three-dimensional dial appliqués. Otherwise, I think people will agree that the Formula 1 Chronograph dials are pleasantly utilitarian, and thankfully, lack unnecessary elements like skeletonization or too distracting colors. TAG Heuer isn’t going to be able to please everyone, but I think the direction it went with the Formula 1 Chronograph dial design is very marketable. The wildest dial design of the first five watches is that of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing team, which has a bit more dial texture and added colors.

The TAG Heuer Caliber 16 is nothing special, particularly for these attractive watches. Historically, this was a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 movement, but more recently it has been a base Swiss Sellita SW500 automatic (which is nearly a clone of the 7750). This is a very competent movement, but it is thick, which helps to explain the larger proportions of the Formula 1 Chronograph. The Calibre 16 movement operates at 4Hz with about two days of power reserve. It features the time, date, and 12-hour chronograph complication.

The original TAG Heuer Formula 1 was a budget-minded watch, and that hasn’t changed much over the years. That said, these automatic chronograph versions of the new Formula 1 are not likely to be where the fresh collection’s price points are intended to start. That means I fully suspect lower-priced TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches to come out soon. But many watch enthusiasts prefer a mechanical movement and a chronograph complication in race-world-themed timepieces (especially from a TAG Heuer). I can see a lot of people opting for the Formula 1 Chronograph even if there are cheaper versions available in the near future. These are pretty handsome watches, and it will be up to the market to determine if their price point is competitive compared to comparable watches on the market. If you are a modern TAG Heuer and Formula 1 fan then there will be no alternatives to consider instead of the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph watches. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Ref. CBZ2085.FT8093 is priced at $4,900 USD; a non-PVD titanium case version of this model is priced at $4,700 USD. Both are available now, while the other models are expected to be available via staggered launches between March and June of 2025. Learn more at the TAG Heuer website.