High-Octane Collab: The New TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Celebrates 20 Years of Oracle Red Bull Racing

A pioneering force in accurate timekeeping since its establishment in 1860, TAG Heuer is no stranger to the world of motorsports. Over the years, the watchmaker’s association with racing has gone from strength to strength with the launch of iconic watches ― take the Monaco, famously worn by Steve McQueen in Le Mans ― and enduring collaborations with premier racing teams and events. TAG Heuer’s latest release, Formula 1 Chronograph (Ref. CAZ101AZ.FT8090), honours yet another racing milestone ― 20 years of the Oracle Red Bull Racing team. This 3,000-piece limited-edition chronograph is certainly poised to take the lead in the Formula 1 collection.

Since 2016, TAG Heuer has served as the official partner and timekeeper for the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. The alliance has celebrated the most significant achievements of both brands, including World Championships, Monaco Grand Prix victories, and watch debuts. The Oracle Red Bull Racing team consists of racers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who will now drive the all-new RB20 that has already won nine Grand Prix. Weighing just 151 kgs, the car is run by a 1.6-litre V6 engine producing 900 horsepower at 15,000 rpm.

The new 43 mm TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph is housed in a black DLC stainless steel fine-brushed polished case, accompanied by lugs, a polished steel screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, and two chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock (which represents the partnership’s signature touch) and 4 o’clock. The bezel, crafted from steel, has an aluminium insert with a tachymeter scale. 

Inspired by the iconic Oracle Red Bull Racing livery, the watch features a scintillating mix of dark blue, yellow, and red colours. The asphalt-textured dial is in Oracle Red Bull Racing blue; its outer periphery has a black flange with yellow markings, each for a five-minute interval. The Oracle Red Bull Racing’s logo appears between 7 o’clock and 10 o’clock. The white printed Arabic hour markers come with green Super-LumiNova® while the black gold-plated polished hour and minute hands have white Super-LumiNova®; a yellow lacquered central second hand can be spotted as well.

Continuing the racing-inspired theme, the 6 o’clock subdial has a blue opalin 1/10th second chronograph counter with 7 to 10 graduation in red, paying tribute to high-speed racing. The white hand is a nod to the high-performance speedometers of racing cars; high-contrast markers are reminiscent of the start line of a race. The 3 o’clock counter has a blue opalin permanent second indicator with a red hand while the 9 o’clock counter has a blue opalin minute chronograph counter with a white hand and red markings, each meant for a five-second interval. At 4 o’clock, one can find an angled date window with a black background and white numeral. Lastly, below 12 o’clock are FORMULA 1 and TAG Heuer logos.

Powering the watch is a quartz movement. Turning the timepiece showcases the closed caseback engraved with the 20th season and team logos. Also engraved on the caseback are the words, “ONE OF 3000”. The watch is finished on a textured blue rubber strap with a black DLC steel folding clasp, featuring double safety push buttons and TAG Heuer engraving.