Let’s just say that the two watches aren’t exactly neck-in-neck competitors, but it is a good idea to know how and when watchmakers “give design compliments” to one another. While the TAG Heuer Formula 1 GMT doesn’t have the fancy two-tone ceramic bezel as the Rolex GMT-Master II Day/Night, it does cost about $7,000 less.
TAG Heuer did it gracefully and retained the Formula 1 DNA, as well as that Autavia-style case that the new Formula 1 watches have. Rolex is the subject of a lot of homaging, so I don’t think they will mind. Allow me to broach the obvious issue that TAG Heuer was clearly influenced by the 2013 Rolex GMT-Master II BLNR (hands-on here), with its two-tone blue and black ceramic bezel. Consumers really just need to decide whether or not they are more comfortable with a sportier timepiece or something a bit more elegant (as is the case with that particular Carrera model).
They each share the same movement and are both 41mm wide in size. In a sense, the Formula 1 GMT lives next to the TAG Heuer Carrera Dual Time which is a dressier GMT watch that will probably be priced a bit more than the Formula 1 GMT. Attractive and of course familiar in design, the question still remains whether or not TAG Heuer should even be focusing on automatic watches in the Formula 1 product family. The final mechanical model is the TAG Heuer Formula 1 GMT ref. I recently discussed the new automatic three-hand and chronograph models in the 2014 TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection here. CAZ101AN) are each priced at $1,850 and will be available in boutiques, select retailers, and the brand’s e-commerce page.Toward the end of 2014, TAG Heuer will release one final new Formula 1 watch as part of its recent design overhaul of the Formula 1 collection. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph 43mm in green (Ref. I was trying to put my finger on why the green model felt the most like it represents TAG and finally realized it’s because of the red framing of the sub-dials matched with the green dial form the colors of the brand’s logo.Įach of these three new Formula 1 watches comes on a matching rubber strap with a brushed steel pin buckle and have an enclosed steel case back with the checkered flag motif. This one also features black indices/hands with white Superluminova with a white lacquered chronograph hand. Finally, there is the green edition which may be the most “everyday” wearable of the batch. The yellow edition has black indices/hands with white Superluminova and a red lacquer chronograph hand with a black circle framing the chronograph sub-dials. That white against red visual theme carries into the black chronograph sub-dials which are framed in white circles and have guilloché finishes. The red edition has rhodium-plated indices/hands filled with white Superluminova and a white lacquer chronograph hand that is very legible.
My personal favorite is the red edition, I just find the almost-ruby hue of the dial to be so well executed. Beyond the dial and strap colors, there are some subtleties distinguishing the three different variants.
The dials are really striking when seen in the metal and TAG really succeeded in creating an immediately eye-catching pop of color. Each of the green, yellow, and red dials are done in with sunray brushing that just ups the vibrancy. Of course, the colors are the real story here. These variants have a fixed black PVD bezel with the classic tachymeter scale. For most people looking for a fun, colorful, no worries sports watch that can handle a long weekend, the Formula 1 is a no-brainer. These three Formula 1 watches all share the same base model which comes in a 43mm stainless steel case with a quartz chronograph movement and 200m of water resistance. I got to spend some hands-on time with all three and they are a lot of fun and really just an excellent value. The ubiquitous racing-inspired sports watch collection is now adding three bright colorways in yellow, red, and green, each with a matching colored strap. At this point it’s almost cliché to point out that TAG Heuer’s Formula 1 collection is one of the most robust and long-standing entry level offerings in Swiss watches. If you don’t personally have a TAG Heuer Formula 1 memory or story, then a close friend or family member almost certainly does.
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