In tribute to the late and legendary Ayrton Senna, TAG Heuer have released two new watches in their Formula 1 collection. Both timepieces feature “S” patterns on the bracelets as well as Senna branding on the top of their black bezels no matter which version of the watch you get. The tachymeter scale on both watches also goes all the way up to 400kph, 160 more than a typical Formula 1 TAG Heuer watch. Both timepieces are protected by sapphire crystal glass and accented by a striking green-yellow motif throughout the watch which evokes the colors of Senna’s native Brazil. On the back of each watch is an engraving which commemorates this particular Special Edition including exclusive labeling and an illustration of Senna’s iconic racing helmet.
AYRTON SENNA
One of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, Ayrton Senna epitomized racing excellence. He was appropriately nicknamed Magic Senna because of his three F1 World Championships (1988, 1990 and 1991), 41 Grand Prix victories and 65 pole positions. The Brazilian was fast and fearless, always pushing himself further on the track in a style all his own. He became the face of the very first #dontcrackunderpressure campaign in 1991 and to this day embodies that same spirit he showed us every time he raced.
The first timepiece in the collection is a 44mm TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronograph housing a Calibre 16 automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve. It features white Super-LumiNova indices and hands to make sure you can read the watch face in all conditions and speeds when you’re on the road. It also features a matching white date window with Formula 1 and Calibre 16 labels flanking it. Surrounding all of this is an exclusive tachymeter scale on a black ceramic bezel. The sub-dials of the watch are focused on the 6/9/12 hands with TAG Heuer branding and a date window on the 3 o’clock hand. Of note on the watch face is Senna’s double S emblem detailed on the bottommost sub-dial, indicative of TAG Heuer’s support of the Senna Foundation. A further embossed “S” pattern is featured on the black calfskin leather strap which holds the watch together. For security behind the wheel, a steel-folding clasp contains a ‘double safety system’ and ‘pilot extension’ which is meant to be worn over a driving suit.
The second timepiece in the Senna collection may cost less due to its quartz nature, but it is just as striking as the automatic and contains many of the same features. It features a 43mm stainless steel casing, a screw-down crown at the 3 o’clock hand, and 200m water resistance. Differing from the placement on the automatic version, the sub-dials on this watch are spread out evenly on the 3/6/9 hands, with a distinctive ‘12’ atop the Tag Heuer logo providing balance to the watch. Like the first timepiece, this one also has Senna’s double S emblem detailed on the bottommost sub-dial.
Both watches are available now: the automatic 44mm TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronograph retails for $3,200.00 while the quartz 43mm TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronograph retails for a little over a grand less at $2,100.00
