I'll take this watch please. Literally I want to sign for it right now. I've always been a big fan of Tag Heuer Formula 1 watches, and this latest iteration goes right back to the simplistic good looks that made this line of timepieces so incredibly desirable for me. While the watch is considered part of Tag Heuer's entry level line, the quality of the watch has been going up - to the point where, yes, it is more expensive, but all that much more desirable (still under $1000 though). For instance, the classic plastic bezel has been replaced with a titanium carbide-coated steel bezel. Nice! The major functional improvement here is that the prominent bezel is not scratch resistant, while with the old plastic bezel it was basically guaranteed that you had to replace it every once in a while. The new steel bezel has raised minute indicators, which are more than just "painted on."
What is really nice about this version of the new Formula 1 is the clean but attractive face that is very pleasing to look at and use. See the image of another new for 2009 Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch, the Grande Date Chronograph. This watch just feels so cluttered and contradictory to the point of this timepiece. Sure it looks cool, but I wouldn't want to live with it each day. The Formula 1 Grande Date has a large subsidiary seconds dial with an integrated big date. It is hard to see the big date in the images (how ironic), but it is at the 6 o'clock position. The hands on the face are totally new for the watch line, and I think I like them. The best part of the dial are the raised hour numerals and indexes. They have a rich amount of Superluminova so that they will glow. This of course is on the black faced model. The white faced model is basically all lume, with the numerals and markers being in black.
The 44mm wide watch case has the same soft look that made the original Formula 1 watch so popular. This is the poster-child of why a lug-less look works. The satin finished steel case works nicely against the black colored bezel, and the Tag Heuer "Easy Grip" crown looks like a breeze to operate (screw-down of course). The crystal is sapphire, while the watch is water resistant to 200 meters.
Two strap options are available for this watch. A textured rubber strap or the classic looking metal bracelet which is a great hybrid between a jubilee bracelet, and what you'd find on a Rolex Submariner. See what I mean? Inside the watch is quartz movement, which this series has always had. Yea, I prefer mechanical movements, but for some reason this watch just seems more suited to having a high quality quartz, so I am not disappointed there - and again, for the price it will be a good deal. My choice is going to be the black dial with the metal bracelet, and I will likely end up getting one when they are released soon. Image update: Jason Pitsch has some images of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Grande Date watch taken from Baselworld posted here.
See Tag Heuer Forumla 1 watches on eBay here.
See Tag Heuer Forumla 1 watches on Amazon here.
 NEW TAG HEUER FORMULA ONE F1 MENS QUARTZ WATCH WAH1111  US $649.00
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 ORIGINAL ► NEW TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 F ONE STEEL BRACELET US $349.00
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 ORIGINAL TAG HEUER FORMULA ONE F1 REPLACEMENT BRACELET US $325.00
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 NEW TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 CHRONOGRAPH STEEL WATCH CAC1111 US $697.50
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 Tag Heuer Formula 1 200m professional US $390.00
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 GENUINE TAG HEUER FORMULA ONE F1 WHITE DIAL 44MM WATCH US $675.00
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Yup…I am with you on these, Ariel. Fan of the F1 watches as well – and they just seem to get better and better. Sturdy and well designed. Seems like TAG has a team of very talented F1 designers stashed away somewhere.
Hi Ariel,
That’s a nice find! I didn’t like the plastic look on the regular models, but this one is very nice. Since it is below 1000 USD and having a quartz movement, this could be a nice ‘Holiday-Beater’, as I would call them
I agree with Kristian, their designers did a great job (again).
RJ
I’ll take one too, even though I generally don’t like Tag designs. Love the lugless look, and I agree with you on the black dial/steel bracelet. This is a huge improvement over the current F1 lineup, with its cheapo plastic (fiberglass?)bezel. And what were they thinking with the aquaracer multifunction??? Looks great on the web but horrible in person, for some reason. I’m with you on the grand date chronograph, too… Too busy.
Glad that you all agree these are nice watches. It is nice to have your tastes validated, which normally is not an issue, but then again I am someone telling non-watch enthusiasts what is good, and what is bad. Thanks for your thoughts!
Great design and so looking forward to it ..
any idea when it will be released ?
Hi Dom,
I figure they out to be quite soon. Maybe as long as the summer. Tag Heuer likes to start a lot of products out in the Asian markets such a Japan. You can check the Tag Heuer Japan site to see if it is there. Otherwise just look for it soon. They never give exact dates. Thanks for reading.
the new updated formula 1 is definitely an improvement while maintaining a consistency with my current red/steel bracelet model
If I was to purchase another it would be the Date/Chronograph as pictured above a very clean and yet distinguished timepiece for everyday wear
Hi Dale,
Thanks for the comment. I actually saw the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Grande Date watch today in a watch store – so they are finally available. Really nice construction and the look of the watches is outstanding. You’ll like the crown and bezel a lot. Go for the metal bracelet as well. My choice is the white lume dial, but both are good choices. Take care.
just got the white one last sunday 7-12-2009… damn, same feeling when i got the tag f1 last 2007… it simple yet catches eyes and attention…
Glad you like it! It is only a matter of time before I get one of the watches but I can’t decide on which dial color I want. I am leaning toward the white dial. Not sure though.
Where can you buy this watch in Colorado? Buying a watch like this online isn’t right but I want a good deal. Colorado Springs area would be ideal. Thx
Hi there,
No worries about buying a watch like this online. If you want to find a close store. Go to Tag Heuer website and check out the store locater. You can get them online via Tourneau, but then you can’t haggle. Take care.
Hi,
Just picked up a white dial Grand Date at my local AD.Took a couple of hours looking at the white and black dial. Took the white because to me it seems more clean. This is my first Tag and I hope I like it, Take care.
Glad you like it, enjoy! And thanks for sharing your thoughts.
[...] the most recent Tag Heuer watches. In the not so distant past I praised the good looks of the new Tag Heuer Formula 1 Grande Date watch. It wasn’t too tough to predict that a chronograph version was right around the corner, and [...]
it is a nice watch,we have it in duty free abu dhabi.tag heuer boutique
i really like the black and the white dial, couldnt decide so i bought both..
Hey Ariel, just wondering if you did end up picking one of these up and if so which one? I just saw them in the flesh a few days ago and must say that they look much better in person than on pics, really liked the white dial one.
I haven’t got one yet, but it is on my radar. Each time I see one I take a nice hard, long took at it. Really nice pieces from Tag Heuer.
i wonder why on the black face they didnt put a white sub dial to express the contrast as the white dial version . maybe the all black is what tag prefered this time . i tryed to visualize the black with a white subdial, may of been a better option. any thoughts?
Wow tony thats a great thought! i had a lot of trouble deciding which one to purchase yesterday but went with the white dial at the end, maybe if the black had the white subdial i think i would have gotten it! Extremely happy with it anyway!