As many of you probably know, up until a couple of years ago I had a collection of fifteen of the original 1980s/1990s Formula 1 watches that I eventually decided to sell because a) I developed a taste for Grand Carreras and I needed cash to buy them, b) I felt they were too small for my wrist and c) I was concerned that they were getting old and would cost more to repair than they might be worth.
Then, having divested myself of all but one (my original 383.513), TAG Heuer teamed up with Kith to produce the KITH Heuer watches and seeing the prices of mint originals rocket, I decided to cash out on that last remaining one, leaving me with no originals for the first time in six years!
But then it wasn't long before we started hearing rumours about new, larger F1s and then a few months later there was talk of solar movements and now here we are in April 2025 with nine new models announced, albeit only two are actually 'available' straight away with six of the remaining pieces being 'limited editions' that will be released to coincide with certain Grand Prix races throughout the year.
First of all, I have to say I am a little bit annoyed that they've done that because I thought the whole idea of this was that it was an accessible product to excite new customers, but I guess they don't see it that way and they want to ride the hype train all over again. Well whatever... I was keen to see the black and yellow version, but having seen video of that one and the red one I'm actually veering towards the red one (which isn't a limited edition), so maybe that's all to the good!
Anyway, I think nine watches is far too many to talk about and score all at once, so I decided to split these new F1's into two posts, today we will be looking at the three you will actually be able to get hold of easily, and next time we will be checking out the six limited editions.
I have to say at first I was a bit unsure, seeing these new versions was all a bit 'uncanny valley' with everything looking similar to the originals, but not quite right. I guess as time goes on I will get used to these new versions, but unlike you vintage enthusiasts I'm just not used to seeing 'modern' interpretations of watches I'm familiar with, much less ones that I've owned.
Another problem with owning those original versions is that TAG Heuer have now stopped supplying the plastic straps for them, so your only option is sellers on eBay charging you three times what they actually (used to) cost. So it's really nice to see the new versions having nice looking (proper) rubber straps complete with shields, although as the new watches are slightly larger (38mm v 35mm) these are apparently too wide to retro-fit to the old models.
I'm afraid I'm a bit dubious about the steel cased models, as the part that covers the lugs looks a bit odd to me. I think I need to see that in person to be sure, but it looks too 'curved' in the pictures I've seen so far. I also don't like how it looks with the new bracelet, in fact I'm not keen on the new bracelet either I'm afraid, I'd much prefer that they'd stuck with the 'jubilee' style (not that I'd probably buy one of these on a bracelet). Unfortunately this design brings to mind far too many crappy looking eBay F1s that come on a 'bracelet' because they can't find the appropriate rubber strap to suit. Like this one I bought from Japan a few years ago.
With the models with coloured cases this part of the case seems less noticeable, but again I suppose until I actually get to see one I'll have to reserve judgement. While we're on the subject of the cases, the red one is made of something called TH-Polylight which is some kind of lightweight polymer (there are other watches with coloured cases which are also made of the same material, but the black cases are DLC coated steel), while the coated steel definitely has a certain level of appeal I also kind of like the idea of getting something that's more true to the original.
The dials look good and it's nice to see they've used applied lume pots (where the original dials were very flat), the hands look a little thin though, but then they were quite thin on the original watches. I don't know, there's something a little off, maybe it's that these have the new TAG Heuer logo? Or maybe it's just that making them bigger means there's more empty space on the dial. I guess, again, that's something that will take a little while to get used to.
Okay well I suppose it's time to turn these over to the Council of Considered Opinion, and for once there seems to be a generally positive feeling emanating from the Council's offices..!
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RED 7/10, WHITE 7/10, BLUE 8.5/10: "The non-limited models will get a score boost over the limited ones for being non-limited 😀 But regardless, these are all good. Size is spot on, pricing a tiny bit heavy but could have been worse. Only thing I like less is the lug area."
RED 8/10, WHITE 7.5/10, BLUE 9/10: "Good to see that the 'primal' colours have been used up to now. Perhaps there will be ugly colour combinations in the future.. For me, the blue one stands out. Red is nice, but I already have that colour. I'm not so keen on a white dial. And unfortunately, no luminous dial yet. All in all, very successful. I was a bit wary of the end result. Proportions are correct and thank God the bezel still looks original. Well done TH."
RED 8/10, WHITE 8/10, BLUE 8/10: "These are a great re-invention, very tempted."
RED 4/10, WHITE 7/10, BLUE 7/10: "The old F1s do nothing for me, but I really like the steel bracelet versions of the new releases. These will sell well for TAG Heuer."
RED 3/10, WHITE 4/10, BLUE 6/10: "Fun super cheap watches with a quartz movement aimed at non enthusiasts will definitely be a hit for TAG Heuer. A perfect watch for children and teenagers before they are ready to get a proper watch."
RED 8/10, WHITE 8/10, BLUE 8/10: "I like the colours, the size and the case design, and I love that these quartz watches are solar powered. Only complaint is the price, since they seem a bit overpriced for entry-level watches."
RED 8/10, WHITE 8/10, BLUE 8/10: "If I ever buy one it will be the white one."
RED 7.5/10, WHITE 9/10, BLUE 9/10: "I really love how these look. The steel models are my favorite but at $2000 I’m priced out. I’ll just have to wait until they hit the used market. White and blue are 9's for me I absolutely love these. The red is a 7.5 as I’m less of a fan of the polymer cases."
RED 8.5/10, WHITE 8.5/10, BLUE 8.5/10: "Looking forward to seeing all the different colours and materials they release them in."
RED9.5/10, WHITE 8/10, BLUE 8.5/10: "I love all these new Formula 1 models, excepting the “racing” one with the weird dial and the different rubber strap. Full black and yellow/black are my favourites, but I also like these (especially the Marlboro McLaren one 😊)."
RED 9.5/10, WHITE 9/10, BLUE 8.5/10: "I think TAG Heuer has hit a home run with these. What a difference a name makes! Most seem to love the properly branded F1 Solargraph, while the opposite was the case with KITH branding. While I think these are great, I do have a few small nits. First, I wish they used the original TAG logo, which would've been cool! Second, the polished crown feels at odds with both the black DLC buckle and the sand-blasted buckle, and the sand-blasted case/bracelets too. Matching black & sand-blasted crowns would've been my preference. Other than that, what's not to like? Oh yeah, the price. But considering the KITH Heuer F1s sold out quickly, I'm sure these will be hot sellers as well."
RED 6/10, WHITE 6/10, BLUE 6/10: "Nice but $2000..., I remember what I paid for hers way back in the 80’s, but sure they will sell."
RED 7/10, WHITE 7/10, BLUE 9/10: "I went to see one of the new watches today. Although it followed the same design as the old ones, it was completely different. I could feel that they respected the original in the way the dial was made and the use of Mercedes-Benz hands. However, the bracelet was very cheap and not of a quality that could withstand the $2000 price tag. Even so I will probably buy the red one."
RED 5/10, WHITE 5/10, BLUE 5/10: "The whole range is a 5. Very mid when you look closely at the lazy upsizing from the 35mm original to this 38. That hour hand is ghastly, a thoughtful designer would have increased the size of the round end rather than just lengthening it. And of course, because it's a 2025 TAG, it's overpriced."
RED 8.5/10, WHITE 8.5/10, BLUE 8.5/10: "Have to say a 5 all round for me too. A lot of missed opportunities in the details and modernisation."
RED 8.5/10, WHITE 8.5/10, BLUE 7.5/10: "These designs are the main reason why I’m into watches in the first place and personally have to give them high regard. TH Formula 1 is the reason why I’m still a TAG Heuer fanatic. I’ve been waiting for these to come out since I knew Kith release was just a start for Formula 1."
RED 10/10, WHITE 10/10, BLUE 8/10: "These are bold moves by TH – playful, fresh, and fun. Awesome! The 38mm size is perfect and is a perfect adaption of the original to modern sizes. A lume dot on the bezel would have been a nice touch. To sell a watch at that price, consisting of synthetics and make it look kind of high end anyhow is an almost impossible task. But here we have the solution.
These watches are also showing, that the Brand is listening to its community. I hope the community will also validate this effort. I'm curious about the boxes – will they be authentic as well? Given the price point of these watches, I'd expect an upgrade in the packaging, too."
RED 9.5/10, WHITE 9.5/10, BLUE 9.5/10: "9.5 across the board for each of the 9 for me. They will be very popular and the LE will sell out super fast. That's guaranteed."
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