Last month, an early covert preview of TAG Heuer’s extensive revival of its iconic plastic-cased 1980s watch, the “Formula 1,” which was officially unveiled today, took place at the Grand Prix racetrack.
For the 2025 F1 season, the watchmaker, designated as the sport’s official timekeeper under a significant sponsorship deal secured by its parent company, LVMH, the luxury conglomerate, introduced a striking clock tower above the pit lane. The clock’s dive-style dial, “Mercedes” hour hand, and notched, bright-red bezel were familiar to those acquainted with the original multicolored Formula 1 watch—launched in 1986 and sold in millions—or the limited remake associated briefly last year with the US streetwear brand Kith.
Perceptive TAG Heuer enthusiasts may have noticed details pointing to something novel: more pronounced dial proportions, squarer numerals on the bezel, and the modernized TAG Heuer logo.
As anticipated, this configuration is part of the new iteration of the old classic, announced today as a comprehensive entry-level addition to the watch brand’s product collection—albeit at a larger 38 mm size compared to the original’s 35 mm. Subtle design enhancements such as applied luminous hour markers, sharper hands, and a more streamlined, angular take on the old case shape—with its “hooded” lug protrusions initially designed to reinforce the plastic casing around the strap attachment—are employed to offer a contemporary feel.
A nod towards eco-friendliness is seen with the use of bioplastic—a castor-based polyamide named TH-Polylight by the brand, serving as a trendier replacement for the previous “Arnite” thermoplastic. However, it is molded over a steel inner core, resulting in a watch that is more robust than most plastic-cased counterparts.
There are nine variations available: three in sandblasted stainless steel with green, black, or blue polymer bezels, and six full-color limited editions to be released at upcoming Grand Prix events. These feature cases and bezels in contrasting hues, such as yellow/black, red/black, and green/red, all paired with matching rubber straps.
What TAG Heuer enthusiasts would not have discerned from the pit lane clock is that the updated Formula 1, formally named the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph, marks the latest step in TAG Heuer’s strategy to enhance the prestige of solar power by incorporating it as a cornerstone of its entry-level offerings.
Similar to certain models in TAG’s Aquaracer sports-watch category, this new piece integrates the brand’s solar-powered TH-50 movement using technology from Citizen, the Japanese company, connected to a movement provided by Citizen’s Swiss subsidiary, La Joux-Perret. Priced at $1,800 (£1,650), the Formula 1 Solargraph is more than $1,000 less expensive than the basic Aquaracer Solargraph, making it the most affordable watch in TAG Heuer’s range. Nonetheless, within the solar-powered watches category, it carries a notable Swiss Made premium, as comparable models from Citizen are priced at around $600.
The dial comprises two superposed polymer layers that permit light to reach a solar cell underneath, charging an accumulator storage unit that supplies energy to the movement. If kept in darkness, such as inside a drawer, a fully charged watch will continue operating for 10 months, an improvement from the six months originally claimed for the TH-50 movement (and also for Citizen’s Eco Drive models). It can also remain in power-saving mode, with the crown pulled out to prevent the hands from moving, for up to two and a half years, and requires only 10 seconds of light exposure to restart.
On the one hand, it is noteworthy that TAG Heuer—capitalizing on the spending power of millions of Gen-Z consumers attracted to Formula 1’s expanding presence as a digital-first, Netflix-enabled pop-cultural phenomenon—continues to view electronic timekeeping as the entry point to its luxury watches. Like many brands, it has a history of utilizing Swiss-made battery-powered movements for entry-level watches, but here it endeavors to position solar power as a modern, premium format, as well as a guarantee of the convenience and performance reportedly sought by young buyers in particular.