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THE TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 SOLARGRAPH

It has been a while since TagHeuer were the talk of the town, and not for any bad reason, in fact quite the opposite. They have slimmed down their previous bulky watches and dialled into their incredibly rich heritage when designing their latest watches.

The new movements and upgrades have all been very welcome and it’s sort of what we have all come to expect from them now. However, whilst all of this is great, nothing super new came out from them, that is until recently.

TagHeuer have launched an old model of theirs that was a mega hot back in the day, their new TagHeuer Formula 1 Solargraph. With TagHeuer becoming the official time keepers for Formula One as well this year, we thought what better time than now to go over their latest watch. That’s why today we are going to cover everything you need to know about their new fantastic Solargraph.

Before we jump straight into looking at the new BB68 we need to first go back to the origins of the Black Bay line altogether to understand why tudor has created this new model within the line. Tudor's most well-known dive watch, the Oyster Prince Submariner (reference 7792), was created in 1954 and marked the beginning of their renowned diving watch adventure. It was possible to go on short dives with divers because of its 100m water resistance. It was not until 1958 that they introduced the new submariner (reference 7924), which featured a 200-meter water resistance. This watch model was very similar to a regular vintage submariner in terms of appearance, but it had a different dial and movement. Vintage Tudor submariners with a Rolex-signed crown are still available today.

Origine and history of the FORMULA 1

Let’s start off by understanding why TagHeuer has released this watch, because it is far more than just a marketing stunt. Few watchmakers can claim as deep and enduring a connection to the world of motorsports as TAG Heuer. From timing rally cars in the Swiss Alps to appearing on the wrists of Formula One legends, TAG Heuer's heritage is tied to speed, precision, and a passion for innovation. TAG Heuer's journey began in 1860 when Edouard Heuer founded Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. Early on, Heuer set a precedent for innovation, registering a patent for a keyless winding system in 1869. However, it was the brand’s focus on chronographs, and more specifically stopwatches and timers for precise timekeeping. This is what would pave the way for its future in motorsports.

In 1887, Heuer patented the "oscillating pinion," a component still used by major mechanical chronograph manufacturers today. This dedication to mechanical precision made Heuer a natural fit for sports timing, a field that would define its legacy. A couple of decades later in the 1910s and 1920s, Heuer had become well known for sports timing, providing stopwatches and dashboard chronographs for automobiles and aircraft. The connection to motorsports deepened in the 1950s and 1960s when Heuer produced specialized timekeeping instruments for rally teams and circuit racing, becoming the official timekeeper for several international motorsport events. But it was the brand's relationship with Formula One that really put them out here in the world.

Jack Heuer, the great-grandson of the founder, took over the company in the 1960s and steered it directly into the fast lane of motorsports. A racing enthusiast himself, Jack forged key relationships with F1 teams and drivers, leveraging sponsorships and technical innovations to build the brand’s motorsport identity. In 1963, Heuer launched the Carrera, named after the gruelling Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico. Designed with a clean dial and easy readability, it quickly became a favourite among drivers. Then, in 1969, Heuer made history with the Chronomatic Caliber 11, one of the first automatic chronograph movements. This movement powered the Monaco, a bold, square-cased watch that gained iconic status when worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans. In 1985, the Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) group acquired a majority stake in Heuer, forming TAG Heuer. The timing was fitting since the TAG group was already heavily involved in Formula One, particularly as an engine supplier for McLaren, in partnership with Porsche.

They became the official timekeeper and sponsor for various F1 teams, most notably the McLaren-TAG team throughout the 1980s and 1990s. This era saw the rise of racing legends like Ayrton Senna, who wore TAG Heuer watches and appeared in its advertising campaigns, becoming a long-standing ambassador.In the 21st century, Tag Heuer maintained its pole position in F1 timekeeping. The brand partnered with Red Bull Racing from 2016 to 2021 and they also served as the Official Timekeeper of Formula One, reinforcing its motorsport connections.

PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THE ARTICLE

TAG HEUER® FORMULA 1 SOLARGRAPH BLACK

TAG HEUER® FORMULA 1 SOLARGRAPH BLACK AND YELLOW

TAG HEUER® FORMULA 1 SOLARGRAPH GREEN

TAG HEUER® FORMULA 1 SOLARGRAPH BLUE

The Formula 1 collection

Taking a closer look at the Tag Heuer Formula 1 collection, it was launched in 1986, during the time Formula One was growing as a sport. The Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch was introduced shortly after the merger of Heuer and TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde) in 1985. At the time, TAG was a major player in Formula One, funding turbocharged engines for the McLaren-TAG F1 team. The first Formula 1 watches debuted in 1986 and were a stark departure from TAG Heuer's traditional mechanical chronographs. These models all had quartz-powered movements for reliability and affordability and a colourful yet sporty, often featuring red, blue, green, and yellow accents. They were made with fiberglass cases and stainless-steel backs, giving them a modern, lightweight profile and they all featured water resistance to XX meters as they were aimed at active wearers and younger consumers. They were the first Tag Heuer watches sold after the brand’s rebranding and became an instant hit, particularly among those seeking a Swiss-made timepiece with performance pedigree at a more approachable price point.

From the beginning, the Formula 1 watch was infused with the spirit of racing. With rotating bezels inspired by timing instruments with bold numerals and high-contrast dials for quick readability. Always an essential in motorsport settings! Tag Heuer offered two strap options for them, with a sport rubber or dressy jubilee style metal bracelet to match the sport-luxury hybrid ethos. All of the models had quite loud colours on them, but that was done on purpose. Take a good look at an F1 car and you’ll see many different vibrant colours, Tag Heuer continued this on their watch to match teams and sponsor liveries.

Throughout the 1990s, the Formula 1 line saw numerous updates, including metal bezels, more subdued colours, and improved materials. The popularity of the watch remained strong, especially among younger buyers and those drawn to its motorsport branding. However, in 2000, following TAG Heuer’s acquisition by LVMH, the Formula 1 line was discontinued. The new direction aimed to elevate the brand further into the luxury space, emphasizing mechanical movements and high-end design. But thankfully the break wouldn’t last long. In 2004, Tag Heuer revived the Formula 1 collection, acknowledging its popularity and status amongst the watch/motorsport fans. The newer Formula 1 line embraced many of the traits that made the originals successful but with a more mature, refined design language.

For instance, they upgraded the cheaper plastic parts to full stainless-steel cases and sapphire crystals as opposed to mineral glass. The movement still featured a quartz powered function but it was now more precise, additionally you can now choose for an automatic movement too. You now also could choose from a simple time only function to a fully functioning chronograph, making it more sporty and aligning with the brand’s sports timing history. Like with all watches back in the early 2000s, “the bigger the better” philosophy had taken its effect at Tag Heuer and their cases increased as well. However, given that this was what the market wanted at that time period, it was good they listened to what their audience really wanted and then delivered. Their models, being so attached to Formula One, still had many colour options to match that of the different teams and a few more reserved colour options too for those who wanted minimalism.

Over the years, the Formula 1 watch has grown into a complete line, with everything from classic three-hand models to complex chronographs and special editions. Jump forward to 2025, the Formula 1 Solargraph collection is available in nine dynamic colourways, reflecting the energetic spirit of motorsport. The models feature sandblasted stainless steel cases paired with steel bracelets, while six limited editions showcase cases made from TH-Polylight, a bio-based polyamide derived from castor oil. This material offers durability, lightweight comfort, and shows us that Tag Heuer knows how to innovate to their best. The bracelet quality on these ones far out does the old and slightly flimsy bracelet from the early 2000. Whilst they definitely have a certain vintage charm to them, the new solid three link president style bracelet is far studier and it has a stamped fold over clasp with a twin-trigger release system. There is no quick adjustment system but you do have three micro pin holes to choose from, but you will need a strap pin tool to do this.

Each watch is equipped with a bi-directional bezel crafted from TH-Polylight, providing a tactile and refined mechanical feel when rotated. The dials feature opaline finishes with applied shield-shaped hour markers (the Tag Heuer Shield) treated with Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility. Strap options include an embossed rubber strap and redesigned steel bracelets, ensuring versatility and comfort. Keeping with TAG Heuer's role as the official timekeeper of Formula 1, the release of the Formula 1 Solargraph models coincides with key races in the F1 calendar. For instance, the Miami GP edition (WBY1114.FT8084) launched on May 2, 2025, featuring a black DLC-coated case and red accents. Upcoming releases include the Silverstone GP edition (WBY1113.BA0042) on July 4 and the Monza GP edition (WBY1160.FT8085) on September 5, each offering unique colour schemes inspired by the respective races.

Each watch is equipped with a bi-directional bezel crafted from TH-Polylight, providing a tactile and refined mechanical feel when rotated. The dials feature opaline finishes with applied shield-shaped hour markers (the Tag Heuer Shield) treated with Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility. Strap options include an embossed rubber strap and redesigned steel bracelets, ensuring versatility and comfort. Keeping with TAG Heuer's role as the official timekeeper of Formula 1, the release of the Formula 1 Solargraph models coincides with key races in the F1 calendar. For instance, the Miami GP edition (WBY1114.FT8084) launched on May 2, 2025, featuring a black DLC-coated case and red accents. Upcoming releases include the Silverstone GP edition (WBY1113.BA0042) on July 4 and the Monza GP edition (WBY1160.FT8085) on September 5, each offering unique colour schemes inspired by the respective races.

In case you were wanting to swap out the bracelet for a rubber strap, it is possible however the lug width of this new watch is 18.5 mm wide. Which as anyone who’s ever changed a watch strap before knows, is an incredibly annoying lug width. That said, ZEALANDE makes the perfect luxury rubber watch strap and one idea could be to test their brilliant universal straight end strap in either the 18 or 19 mm lug width configuration. Wearing your new Tag Heuer Formula One for sporting activities is no issue and to improve your experience, a rubber strap is lighter and easily adjustable to the right size. Here at ZEALANDE we can offer you multiple colours to either match or contrast and complement your dial for a new sporty look so have a look at our range to see what colours you like!

And there you have it, everything you need to know about the TagHeuer Formula 1 Solargraph. Like with most watches from Tag Heuer these days, it is a brilliant new launch of one of their big hits from the late 1990s and early 2000s. With the sizes being very well proportioned it can suit a much wider range of wrists and thanks to its thin case, it will wear very comfortably too. Seeing as TagHeuer have just become the new official timekeepers for Formula One, a watch like this for any of the Team’s fans would really complete any motorsport enthusiasts’ outfit! With ZEALANDE’s strap options and premium leather travel cases, you can be sure to find the perfect way to make your new Tag Heuer unique to your style and even match it to the colourway of the F1 team you support.

James Talbot