Inspired By The Racetrack
For Father’s Day this year explore the motorsport inspired timepieces from TAG Heuer. Introducing the Formula 1 Senna Special Edition and the Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Special Edition
In La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, just a few months after releasing a quartz version of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition, a new version was launched equipped with a powerful automatic movement and an even stronger design. With these two variations – an automatic chronograph and a quartz chronograph – TAG Heuer continues to pay tribute to admired motor racing legend Ayrton Senna.
Considered one of the best drivers of all time, Senna embodied the quest for excellence and performance. Fast, brilliant and fearless, the Brazilian driver never stopped pushing himself beyond the limit.
The collaboration between TAG Heuer and Senna started in 1988 and, over the course of his career, the long-standing TAG Heuer ambassador broke many records. At the time, the Brazilian dominated Formula 1, becoming World Champion in 1988, 1989 and 1991.
To pay tribute to his legacy, TAG Heuer continues its quest to create the perfect Formula 1 watch.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition
For this new edition, the designers of TAG Heuer – in collaboration with the Senna Foundation – wanted to work specifically with the colour red, a reference to Ayrton Senna’s original watch. The whole look of the TAG Heuer Senna Special Edition is a very elegant mix of red, anthracite and black, in line with the design codes of the Senna Foundation.
The red lacquer is present in the two o’clock pusher, in the crown and at 12 o’clock in the double S, which is the Brazilian driver’s iconic logo brand. Likewise, the subdials are adorned with red touches and the sporty and elegant design of the model is further accentuated thanks to the azure finishing and the six o’clock subdial customised with the Senna logo in red.
The watch has a beautiful sunray-brushed anthracite dial with black azurage minute, hour and permanent second chronograph counters, bringing to the dial a bright and luminous effect. The white Super-LumiNova® on the rhodium-plated applied indexes and hands ensures at-a-glance legibility at all speeds and in all lighting conditions. The timepiece also features an ultra-resistant black ceramic bezel, with the number 400 engraved as a reference to the symbolic 400km/h speed that has never been reached in Formula 1.
Highly shock-resistant, the bracelet has a folding clasp with a driver extension to fit over the sleeve of a racing suit.
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition timepiece is equipped with the automatic Calibre 16, which is protected by a stainless-steel screwdown caseback engraved with the Brazilian driver’s iconic helmet on the back and alongside a special engraving of Senna Special Edition.
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Special Edition
TAG Heuer unveiled the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Special Edition earlier this year with a stunning new livery and two new references – a new addition to the TAG Heuer Formula 1 best-seller collection.
Thanks to its bolder design and advanced technical features, the timepiece is perfectly crafted incorporating all the graphic codes of the Formula 1 Team.
For this new version, the designers highlighted the bold colours of the Red Bull Racing Team, such as the mythical dark blue and striking red tones. The new blue sun-brushed dial with a customised minuterie featuring vibrant yellow and red touches is the perfect example of this. The 1/10th second chronograph counter at six o’clock also has yellow and red details and the chronograph central second hand is highlighted in yellow.
The Arabic numeral indexes are directly inspired by racing car speedometers and Formula 1 connoisseurs will also notice the subtle reference to their favourite sport in the form of a line above the five and seven numerals. The line is designed to evoke the starting line of a Formula 1 track. The new dial is also inspired by Formula 1 car cockpits and is highly legible to make the time easy to read in all conditions.
To complete this bold racing design the Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Special Edition has round pushers painted with a red lacquer outline to highlight the chronograph start pusher at two o’clock. A special bezel is engraved with the word Speed symbolising Formula 1’s quest for ultimate performance.
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Special Edition is available in two different watch versions, one with a stainless-steel bracelet and one with a blue rubber strap, offering the choice between a sporty or more elegant look.
The caseback of the watch is also engraved with the words Red Bull Racing Formula One Team Special Edition.
Where it all began
The partnership between TAG Heuer and Formula 1 started with Jack Heuer, a pioneer and a visionary, when he initiated the first Formula 1 sponsorship agreement.
Since this first sponsorship contract was signed by Jack Heuer and the Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert in 1968, TAG Heuer’s association with Formula 1 has never faltered.
In 1986, TAG Heuer launched a new collection exclusively dedicated to Formula 1, and since its release it has held a special place in TAG Heuer’s history, becoming one of the brand’s best-selling collections and embodying its strong passion for the racetrack.
The story continues to this day with Red Bull Racing – from the drivers to the engineers, the whole team wears TAG Heuer watches on and off the track.
Leonard Dews
Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1EW
01253 754940
leonarddews.co.uk
