While there’ll always be plenty of models to keep the traditionalists happy, under the brand’s current leadership those more predictable timepieces have been released alongside a colourful range of collaborations (hello, Porsche), innovations, and unique pieces that have been eye-catching for some and eyebrow-raising for others. The Formula 1 collection holds a special position in the history of TAG Heuer.TAG Heuer’s been enjoying a fascinatingly experimental period of late. Released in 1986, it was the first series to hit the market following Techniques d’Avant Garde's (TAG) acquisition of Heuer the year before. When creating the Formula 1, TAG Heuer's designer Eddy Burgener took cues from the era's popular Swatch watches. He crafted the case out of a stainless steel core and covered it in colorful fiberglass. A wide, gear-like bezel with large Arabic numerals for the minutes added an especially sporty touch. The original collection contained various three-hand and chronograph models powered by quartz calibers from Ronda or ETA. Since its debut, the Formula 1 has undergone some significant changes. The colorful fiberglass cases became a thing of the past in the late 1990s when they were replaced by solid stainless steel. What's more, TAG Heuer has been outfitting these watches with modified automatic calibers from ETA since 2012. Highlights include chronographs powered by the Valjoux 7750-based Calibre 16.

However, there are some holdovers from the original design, such as the distinctive bezel and water resistance to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft).

This means the Formula 1 is at home in the water as it is on the race track.

Tag heuer formula 1 calibre 5