Editor’s Note: Need a quick watch fix? This preview of the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull is a GET TO THE POINT (GTTP) review with all the info you want / need to know QUICK. For our actual hands-on reviews, please head to the dedicated section here. Now let’s get to the point.
What Is It
Introducing the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Special Edition.
Inside the 43mm diameter and 48mm lug-to-lug spaced ref. CAZ101AL.BA0842 (steel bracelet) tick-tocks a Swiss quartz chronograph movement that features a battery life of approximately 24 months and comprises of an EOL (battery End-Of-Life) indication, stop-second function & fast date correction setting.
Quartz is shunned by the purists but featuring these movements make the TAG Formula 1 Red Bull watches affordable, long lasting, and for the most part maintenance free. One also gets fun, vibrant, sporty, colourful, waterproof, and durable timepieces.
Why & When
TAG Heuer and Red Bull Racing team’s partnership has been extended until 2024, and this new TAG Heuer Formula 1 adds to the brand’s 2022 roster following the third edition of the LVMH Watch Week 2022 (January 24 – 28, 2022).
Retailing for 2’900 AUD, you get the TAG Heuer branding, and a very reliable and accurate timepiece.
Where
Various ADs in Sydney, with the official boutique in the CBD at the corner of Pitt and Market Streets (Westfield, NSW 2000) – 02 8223 6200
Who Is The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull For
For those who wish to test the waters of luxury Swiss watchmaking but do not wish to hassle with the maintenance of mechanical watches. It is of course also for those who love the world of motorcar racing.
How Does The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Do
Notwithstanding the entire snobbery-infected quartz vs mechanical watches debate, I like it. TAG Heuer’s Formula 1 collection was first launched in 1986/87 and over the years it has deepened its roots within the motorsports world. In 2016 TAG Heuer became the official partner and timekeeper of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team as well.
Watches like the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 are designed to be fun timepieces, and the latest addition doesn’t deviate; it is bold, colourful, fairly legible for a chronograph, and I love the red and yellow accents. The watch features a decent 200m water-resistance, and the dial showcases the functions of hours, minutes, seconds, date, along with 1/10 second, small seconds, and 30-minutes counters.
It also comes inside an exclusive packaging and with a unique engraved case-back.
There are some subtle details on the dial that also reflect the marriage between watches and motor sport racing:
- Arabic numeral indexes are directly inspired by racing car speedometers
- Presence of a line above the 5 and 7 numerals that denotes the starting line of a Formula 1 track
- Inclusion of round pushers painted with a red lacquer outline to highlight the chronograph start pusher at 2
- Use of bold colours of the Red Bull Racing Team, dark blue and striking red tones
Even for snobs this is a great everyday beater watch, just strap it on, rev your hearts’s engine, and go about your daily chores without worrying. It’s time to get your wings this racing season with the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Special Edition.
To find out more about the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless stated otherwise are courtesy ©TAG Heuer.
