Back in 2016, TAG Heuer released the Formula 1 Red Bull Edition to commemorate its partnership with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. Named the official timekeeper and watch of the Formula 1 Red Bull Racing team, the two brands also announced the “Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer RB12”—the name of the new 2016 car, a first for a watchmaker to be named directly in the official title of an F1 team.
Officially debuted at the Monaco Grand Prix, the timepiece bore the team’s colors: midnight blue and red. The dial is a matte blue ringed in white and its indices in steel and filled with white luminescent material. Contrasting these are steel hour and minute hands and a red second hand. The clean face of the watch draws eyes to the chronograph complication where the hour counter is situated at 6 o’clock and the minute counter at 9 o’clock, and the current seconds counter at 3 o’clock. At the hour counter, there is also a small “TAG Heuer Formula 1” text detail in white and red. There is also a date window at 4 o’clock. Finally, it holds a tachymeter scale in matte blue aluminum, set in a 43mm stainless steel case. It’s got a classic, vintage sporty look with an undeniably sophisticated feel to it.
The back of the case is of course engraved with the legendary black and white chequered flag, symbol of Formula 1, as well as the exclusive Red Bull Racing Team logo. The Formula 1 Red Bull Edition comes with two versions: a steel bracelet in keeping with the watch brand’s flagship models and also comes with a strap made from technical textile for a sportier look, with red stitching inspired by the seat belts of racing cars.
Fast forward to 2020, TAG Heuer last month released a second watch that celebrates the ongoing partnership between the brands—the Formula 1 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Special Edition 2020. The new chronograph draws inspiration directly from the new Formula 1 car also presented last month in Barcelona, Spain.
Similar with the first piece, it also features a 43mm case. It features a deep blue dial and aluminum bezel—the same color as the race car—with red and yellow accents. These can be found on the seconds hand, which is painted a bright yellow, and touches of red can be found on the word ‘Tachymeter’ on the dial as well as on the hour counter. An azurage pattern on the chronograph counters and a date window at 4 o’clock on the dial also enhance the daring and sporty aesthetic of the piece. It is water resistant up to 200 meters and highly shock resistant.
At the back, its steel screw-down case is engraved with the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team logo over a chequered pattern. The quartz-powered chronograph is presented on a robust stainless steel bracelet with brushed steel pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock. It also includes a drivers’ extension to fit the watch over a racing suit. I kind of wish they also included the textile strap from the first edition for a thoroughly sporty look but the steel bracelet imparts a classic touch to its overall aesthetic.
