The Formula 1 collection of sports watches represents the entry point into the world of TAG Heuer. Precise quartz or automatic movements provide select models with chronographs or GMT functions. There are also special-edition pieces for collectors.

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The First TAG Heuer Watch

The Formula 1 collection holds a special position in the history of TAG Heuer. Released in 1986, it was the first series to hit the market following Techniques d’Avant Garde's (TAG) acquisition of Heuer the year before.

When creating the Formula 1, TAG Heuer designer Eddy Burgener took cues from the era's popular Swatch watches. He crafted the case out of a stainless steel core and covered it in colorful fiberglass. A wide, gear-like bezel with large Arabic numerals for the minutes added an especially sporty touch. The original collection contained various three-hand and chronograph models powered by quartz calibers from Ronda or ETA.

Since its debut, the Formula 1 has undergone some significant changes. The colorful fiberglass cases became a thing of the past in the late 1990s. TAG Heuer has been making these watches from stainless steel since then, and started equipping them with modified automatic calibers from ETA since 2012. Highlights include chronographs powered by the Valjoux 7750-based Calibre 16. However, there are a few holdovers from the original design, such as the distinctive bezel and water resistance to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). This means the Formula 1 is as much at home in the water as it is on the track.

In the spring of 2024, TAG Heuer unveiled the Formula 1 | Kith collection, a series of ten colorful Formula 1 quartz watches reminiscent of the first versions introduced in the mid-1980s.

The manufacturer also offers numerous ladies' models with diameters ranging from 32 to 35 mm. Versions with gem-set bezels are particularly elegant.

Reasons to Buy a TAG Heuer Formula 1

Affordable introduction to the world of TAG Heuer racing watches
Automatic and quartz calibers with a chronograph or GMT function
Water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft)
Sporty design with connection to motorsport
Since 2024: retro variants in the Kith collection

Prices at a Glance: TAG Heuer Formula 1

Formula 1 reference	Price (approx.)	Functions, caliber
WA1219	280 USD	Date, quartz
CAH1011	1,100 USD	Chronograph, quartz
WAZ2014	1,500 USD	Small seconds, date, automatic
WAZ2011	2,000 USD	Date, automatic
WA121L	2,250 USD	Date, quartz
WAZ211A	2,350 USD	Date, GMT, automatic
CAZ2015	2,350 USD	Automatic, chronograph

How much does a TAG Heuer Formula 1 cost?

Models from the 1980s and 90s serve as the entry point into the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection. If you're lucky, you'll find a used one from these decades for between 340 and 560 USD. Look for reference numbers 380.513, 370.513, WA1211, or WA1213. These older quartz watches usually have Ronda or ETA calibers. The watches also feature a date display at 3 o'clock.

Newer variants are only slightly more expensive. For example, you can purchase a pre-owned three-hand model with a date display and quartz movement for as little as 560 USD. On the other hand, the 43-mm ref. WAZ101A with an orange dial will set you back about 1,500 USD in mint condition.

Less Color, Bigger Date

In 2004, TAG Heuer treated the Formula 1 to a facelift. Although the basic aesthetics remained the same, the models no longer had the bright colors and fiberglass coating. The case is made of stainless steel and is significantly larger at 40 mm. The case of the watch was fitted with polyurethane bumpers on the sides – an idea that came from former F1 driver and TAG Heuer brand ambassador Kimi Räikkönen. The bezel contrasts nicely with the case thanks to its black PVD coating. Not even the dial survived the redesign unscathed. They now have a much cleaner look and feel with the addition of applied indices and numbers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. Sapphire crystal protects the display and only adds to the sense of quality.

Depending on its condition, plan to shell out between 450 and 670 USD for a three-hand model with an ETA quartz caliber and date display at 4:30. The ETA quartz chronographs are also in the same price range and feature 1/10th of a second subdials, a minute counter, and small seconds at 2, 6, and 10, respectively. Again, the date display is located at 4:30.

Formula 1 Grande Date With a Ronda Movement

TAG Heuer returned to Ronda quartz movements for the 2009 Formula 1 Grande Date. As its name suggests, this 44-mm stainless steel watch features a large date display. In the three-hand ref. WAH1011, the display is located at 6 o'clock together with the small seconds hand. Well-maintained specimens change hands for roughly 975 USD.

The chronograph version has a date window at 12 o'clock. The subdials at 2, 6, and 10 o'clock function as the two chronograph counters and a small seconds dial. Prices range from 1,120 USD for models with a stainless steel bracelet and panda dial to around 1,340 USD for versions with a black dial and rubber strap.

Automatic ETA Calibers Since 2012

TAG Heuer first equipped the Formula 1 with a mechanical chronograph caliber in 2012. The movement is the Calibre 16 based on the Valjoux 7750 and features the usual hour and minute counters at 6 and 12 o'clock, a date at 3, and a small seconds subdial at 9 o'clock. The design of the first automatic models mirrors that of the quartz Formula 1 chronographs. However, cases made after the 2015 redesign bear a stronger resemblance to the Heuer Autavia. Older models such as the reference CAU2011 with stainless steel case and matching bracelet can be purchased in mint condition for around 2,350 USD. A mint example with the redesigned case like ref. CAZ2010 will set you back about 2,800 USD.

The Formula 1 collection has also seen the addition of more three-hand automatic models in recent years. These include the Formula 1 Caliber 5, a sporty three-hand watch with a date at 3, powered by the ETA 2824-2. Models measure 41 or 43 mm in diameter. The 43-mm ref. WAZ2011.BA0842 demands an investment of approximately 2,000 USD in mint condition.

The Formula 1 Caliber 6(ref.WAZ2013.BA0842) is also a three-hand watch with a date display. However, instead of a central seconds hand, the timepiece displays the seconds on a subdial at 6 o'clock. Prices for this 43-mm stainless steel watch sit around 1,790 USD in mint condition.

The Formula 1 Calibre 7 is powered by the Calibre 7 movement, which is based on the ETA 2893-2 and offers a GMT function. The second time zone is indicated by an additional hand pointing to a 24-hour scale on the bezel. To help distinguish day from night, the lower half of the bezel is blue (day) and the upper half is black (night). An unworn example of this practical timepiece ref. WAZ211A.BA0875 will set you back about 2,350 USD.

TAG Heuer F1 Special Editions

TAG Heuer regularly releases special Formula 1 editions. You'll find models dedicated to Aston Martin, Max Verstappen, Red Bull, the Indy 500, Ayrton Senna, and Gulf Racing. Along with racing-themed watches, TAG Heuer has also produced some rather unusual timepieces. For example, the Swiss watch manufacturer has dedicated a special edition to the English soccer team Manchester United. The Portuguese striker, Cristiano Ronaldo, has also been honored with his own black and green Formula 1 CR7 watch. These timepieces all have one thing in common: they're quartz-powered chronographs. They are also similarly priced, ranging from 1,120 and 1,570 USD.

Mechanical models include the Formula 1 David Guetta and Formula 1 X Senna. The former is dedicated to the world-famous DJ and features the automatic Calibre 7 and a GMT display. In contrast to the standard model, the Guetta ref. WAZ201A.FC8195 has a black PVD coating and a black leather strap. You can purchase an unworn specimen for approximately 2,100 USD. The Formula 1 X Senna Chronograph (ref. CAZ201D.BA0633) is powered by the automatic Calibre 16 and costs around 3,700 USD.

Formula 1 | Kith: Special Limited Editions

In the spring of 2024, TAG Heuer presented a total of 10 new limited-edition quartz versions of the Formula 1 in collaboration with US lifestyle apparel brand Kith. The colorful timepieces pay homage to the very first Formula 1 collection launched by TAG Heuer in 1986. All models in the series share a 35-mm stainless steel case that is either sandblasted or painted, depending on the reference. You can choose between black, red, yellow, and white versions. The bezel and dial selection is also colorful, ranging from green, yellow, and blue to beige, black, and white.

The dial design is also very similar to the earlier originals. The dials feature printed and luminescent dot indices interrupted by small triangles at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. There is a date display at the 3 o'clock position. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal. The watches are water-resistance to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). Depending on the model, a Formula 1 | Kith comes with either a five-link stainless steel bracelet or a rubber strap.

The ref. WA121L.BT0014, for example, has a black case and dial and a green bezel. The rubber strap is also green. The watch is limited to just 825 pieces and changed hands on Chrono24 for roughly 2,240 USD in the summer of 2024. The model with a blue bezel and strap (ref. WA121J.BT0012) was approximately 340 USD more expensive at that time.

FAQs

What is the TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith collection all about?

The Formula 1 | Kith collection consists of 10 different models presented by TAG Heuer in 2024 in collaboration with the American fashion designer Kith. The colorful watches were released in various limited editions and are reminiscent of the first models in the Formula 1 series presented by TAG Heuer in 1986.

How reliable are TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches?

TAG Heuer watches in general, and the Formula 1 collection in particular, are high quality timepieces that will be reliable everyday companions for many years to come, provided they are cared for properly.

How do TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches hold their value?

Whether a watch from the Formula 1 collection will retain its value or even increase in value depends largely on the model and its condition. Very early models in unworn condition, as well as limited editions like the Formula 1 X Senna Chronograph, are of interest to collectors and therefore more stable in value than unlimited production models.