LVMH Watch Week: TAG Heuer Tracks into Its Racing Affinities
With its return as the official timekeeper for F1 racing starting with the 2025 season, it’s no surprise that the highlights of LVMH Watch Week from TAG Heuer are decidedly race-ready.
Details are still coming in on LVMH’s nearly $1 billion investment as F1’s uber-sponsor through 2034. However, on the watch side, at least, TAG Heuer is clearly the biggest beneficiary as the race’s official timekeeper and key timepiece presence starting this year.
While an official collaborative timepiece that honors that arrangement may still be forthcoming, at the re-staged LVMH Watch Week in New York City this week, the “hero” novelties are focused on the watchmaker’s extraordinary motorsports connections.
How about a new five-piece collection of TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph watches (with a special edition honoring the brand’s partnership with F1’s Oracle Red Bull team)? Maybe a limited edition TAG Carrera Chronosprint created in partnership with Porsche puts your pedal to the metal?
And certainly, a sophisticated, bejeweled take on a Carrera Chronograph in an eye-catching glass box format that bridges the gap between track-worthy accuracy and evening elegance is worth a look – read on.
Track Ready
The new Formula 1 Chronographs take TAG’s Formula 1 model story (which started in 1986) further down the track in every respect. Sharp, dynamic elements are notable across the collection, all inspired by F1 racing technology.
The new 44mm sand-blasted Grade 2 titanium cases reflect the cutting-edge aerodynamics and lighter weight of modern F1 racers. In addition, micro-perforated bezels recall disc brakes and gauging fonts and colorways all echo car design.
Clean, recessed pushers and a black DLC titanium case (in the core models) add to the technical flavor of the timepieces, with a permanent small seconds at 12 o’clock, a 1/10th of a second/hour tallier at 6 o’clock, and a minute subdial at 9 o’clock. A small date aperture at 3 o’clock is surrounded by TAG’s Formula1 badging, presenting a balanced technical dial executed in black opaline for the core collection.
Red details pop off black dials for two executions (one on a black rubber strap, another on a color-matched red rubber strap). You also get the option of bold blue details on a black rubber strap as well as limey-neon green on a black dial with a black rubber strap for the four base models.
Team Spirit
The special edition TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Oracle Red Bull Racing delivers a big jump in overall design octane. The case is untreated, letting the metallic glow of the titanium shine through. The dial is executed in deep blue opaline and carries a “winning flag” checkered texture pattern.
Intricate color detailing (in Oracle Red Bull’s livery of red and yellow) fills out the dial with more oomph, as well as the rubber strap, crown, and inner case surface. While all the new Formula 1 Chronograph’s sport etched case backs, this execution prominently flies the racing team connection on its backside. Expect special team-related packaging as well.
All models tap TAG’s rock-solid calibre 16 movement. Base models will roll out from February to June (depending on color details). The red dial details on black strap timepiece is listed for $4,900.00 while the other three will carry a price of $4,700.00. The Oracle Red Bull special edition will hit the market in February as well, with a $5,450.00 price tag.
There is No Substitute
Two stunning 42mm limited-edition versions of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye may take a more heritage-inspired view of superb race timepieces. Still, they are no less dynamic and relevant than the new Formula 1s above.
The spirit of these releases harkens back to the earliest days of TAG Heuer and Porsche’s shared history, well before the current partnership produced its first collaborative timepiece in 2021.
Racing History
At the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, Porsche’s newly introduced 911 made its racing debut. It finished fifth overall and a remarkable second in its class. Of course, the 911 went on to become a rally race legend in subsequent years. But in 1965, expertly calibrated Heuer time-keeping technology – so critical to that initial success – was firmly installed on the cars’ dashboards. Those vintage 60’s dash timers were referenced for this new duo of Rallye timepieces.
Limited to 911 editions in steel and only 11 versions in 18k 3N solid yellow gold, the Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye timepieces at once honor motorsports history and the uncanny alignment of the carmaker and watchmaker. They also serve as a stunning example of state-of-the-art technology among the duo’s current collaborations. Porsche fans in particular will revel in these new releases.
Both are powered by the latest Carrera-standard chronograph movement: the TH20-80 automatic. They also share a gleaming black dial, classic mushroom chrono pushers, and a more traditional three-sub-dial layout (minutes counted at 3 o’clock, seconds counted at 6 o’clock, and hours tallied at 9 o’clock).
Even with the more classical details – including a glass box-style crystal, brushed steel case, and bold stainless steel bracelet – the overall presentation is a welcome mix of vintage queues but modern wrist presence. In the gold case version, a gorgeous perforated calfskin leather strap with contrast stitching is used, which skews more to a vintage flavor. But still, on the wrist, this gold beauty has no fussiness or dustiness to it at all.
Available today, the steel version of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye lists for $10,250.00, and the gold execution goes for $24,600.00.
For the Champagne Celebration
In contrast to the sportier interpretations of the iconic Carrera, TAG also offers a more elevated one. These new bejeweled Carrera Chronographs revealed at LVMH Watch Week may throw a lot of visual drama into a more “evening” appropriate racing watch sphere, but these watches’ hearts and souls are still petrol-fueled.
Available in both powdery pink and deep blue versions, the 0.45 carats of diamonds adorning the watch flanges and 11 Charon diamond-set indices certainly give these models a bit more pizzaz than your typical Carrera. In addition, with a more gender-neutral 39mm steel case size, the new timepieces may open up the appeal of a race watch.
Still, these blinged-out Carreras stay true to the essence of the iconic line with calibre TH20-00 movements, mushroom chrono pushers, classic three subdial instrumentation (albeit with more simplified gauging and details for added elegance), and a vintage glass box crystal. In summary: the added elegance subtracts no whit from the timepieces’ need-for-speed authenticity and accuracy.
Available today, the blue dial on a color-matched blue alligator strap lists for $8,700.00, and the pink-on-pink retails for $8,600.00.
For more information on all the brand’s LVMH Watch Week novelties, visit the TAG Heuer website.