ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraphs and Calibre 16 Chronograph

TAG Heuer Boutique / Meadowhall, Sheffield 31st October 2025

Due to the ridiculous number of watches released at the end of last year this has been delayed quite considerably, hence it might seem a bit out of date! 

So finally the last two of the original nine Formula 1 Solargraphs are here and it could perhaps be said that they saved the best for last. Right from the start I thought if I was going to buy any of these new models it was either going to be the white/red one or the black/yellow one (both of which I owned previously in their 35mm incarnation). Well the white/red one came out in September and it didn't prompt me to reach for my credit card and so far this one hasn't yet either. I definitely think it's one of the best of the nine, possibly even top two, and I appreciate that it has a black DLC steel case (which seems to imbue it with a touch more 'substance') but does it really cut it?

Unfortunately for me, no. And there are two main reasons for that, maybe three. Like all the other new Formula 1's, the applied hour markers look a bit weird to me, and more so where they are a contrasting colour to the dial. Then there's the weird case shape (which admittedly looks better in black, but looks even better where the case and strap are the same colour) and the large, highly polished crown, If only the crowns were black (at least on some of the models), it would make such a difference. And yes I know the original models had steel crowns but they weren't polished to a shine and they were absolutely tiny. But the real problem I have with this model in particular is the dial, which is most definitely grey rather than black. I assume this is due to it being a Solargraph, but regardless of whether that is the reason or not it does rather spoil the otherwise strong yellow/black theme.

Next we come to the last of the original nine F1 Solargraphs which was released for the 'Singapore GP' at the start of October. This one is cast in blue TH-Polylight, sports a lovely white dial with a blue ring detail, is limited to 3000 pieces worldwide and is rather unexpectedly my favourite of the original nine watches. Here the polished crown doesn't look quite so out of place, the hour markers and dial are the same colour so they look less weird and the case and strap are the same (rather purpley it must be said) blue, which helps hide that odd looking case edge. 

The other thing I think this one has going for it over the others is that it isn't a direct re-issue of a previous model so it feels like it has less 'baggage' and so I don't feel like I'm comparing it to a watch I previously owned. I still can't see me buying one, especially not at £1550 (although I notice TH Baker are offering 10% discount at the time of writing), but it's definitely my pick of the bunch.

Finally for today we come to the Formula 1 Calibre 16 which is now available on a titanium bracelet. It's fine, but it doesn't really set my heart on fire and I'd take the Senna version over this in a heartbeat (the Senna costs just £250 more and has a carbon bezel). Sure the practicality of a lightweight bracelet is always a bonus, but the dullish titanium makes the watch feel a bit 'dead'. I assume at some point they are going to bring these out in steel (at more reasonable prices) and it will be interesting to see how they look, but for now this one is just a bit 'meh'. 

And yes, like many others who have been extremely vocal about it, I still hate the word 'SPEED' on the bezel. 🤮