Introducing the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph: An 80s Icon Goes Full Solar
There are few watches that can get away with being loud and unapologetically fun while still remaining true to a legacy of motorsport design—the TAG Heuer Formula 1 is one of them. Introduced in 1986, right when TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde) acquired Heuer, the Formula 1 was the brand’s opening lap into a new era of accessibility, color, and attitude. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re getting a recharged take on this racing icon. Literally.
Before we get into the Solargraph itself, it’s worth acknowledging the role that the TAG Heuer x Kith collaboration played in paving the way. That limited-edition drop in 2024 tapped into the nostalgia of the original Formula 1 with a fresh, fashion-forward spin. It proved there was still real heat around the collection, and that success clearly gave TAG the green light to bring the Formula 1 back in a more permanent, evolved form. Think of it as the spark that reignited the engine.
Enter the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph lineup: nine bold, sun-powered timepieces that look like they could've been designed with a neon highlighter and a pit lane pass. It’s modern nostalgia done right. They are vintage-inspired in proportions, but futuristic where it counts, thanks to the Solargraph movement and some unexpected material choices.
The Basics
Case: 38mm diameter, sandblasted steel or bio-polyamide, black DLC options on select models
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
Movement: Calibre TH50-00 Solargraph (solar-powered quartz)
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Strap Options: Steel bracelet, racing rubber strap, or embossed rubber strap with TAG Heuer logo
Price: 1,750–1,850 CHF
Availability: Starting May 2, 2025 (Miami GP launch), staggered releases through October 2025
The Juice
If you’re familiar with the original Formula 1, you’ll know that it made its name with a plastic bezel, quartz guts, and colors that shouted across the room. And you know what? It worked. It was different, accessible, and maybe most importantly, fun. The new Solargraph models take that spirit and cranks it up a gear, swapping plastic for bio-polyamide and throwaway conventional quartz for a sun-powered movement that can run for 10 months after just a 40-hour sunbath.
From a design standpoint, TAG Heuer didn’t just phone it in with recycled cues. The 38mm case is compact and versatile. There are no oversized lugs or wrist dominance here. You get a tidy 45.2mm lug-to-lug and under-10mm thickness, which means it should wear pretty darn well.
Let’s talk variety. There’s a little something for everyone here. Steel cases for the purists, DLC finishes for stealth mode, and bio-polyamide cases in Ferrari-grade colors if you’re feeling bold. There’s a white dial with a green bezel, a blue dial with a steel bracelet, a black-and-yellow combo that feels like it’s straight out of the paddock. You get the idea. Whether you're into understated tool watches or want to flex some color at the track, you’ll find a version that fits your vibe.
The Solargraph movement is the real game changer. It’s a quartz movement, yes, but not the kind you toss in the drawer when the battery dies. With light-powered charging, it takes just two minutes in the sun to get a full day's charge. Aad if you let it soak for a full 40 hours, you’re good for nearly a year. No cables, no docks, no worrying about leaving it in your bag over the weekend.
TAG also put effort into the details. It has reworked hands and indexes that feel lifted from the 1986 originals (but more refined). Super-LumiNova in all the right places, bidirectional bezels with a tactile click that’s oddly satisfying, and straps that don’t feel like afterthoughts. Even the steel bracelet got a revamp with better articulation and a quick extension link.
Final Thoughts
Is this the most technical watch TAG Heuer makes? No. But that’s not the point. The Formula 1 Solargraph is about emotional design and modern practicality. It’s a summer-ready, daily-wearable, zero-maintenance timepiece that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers legit specs.
The fact that they’ve taken a historically affordable model and given it a sustainable, forward-thinking movement without losing the charm of the original is worth noticing. And in a world of increasingly bloated releases, this one actually feels like it has a place—especially for those of us who love the nostalgia but want the ease of modern tech.
Bottom line? If you’re looking for a Formula 1 that nods to its past but lives in the present—and doesn’t need a battery change every two years—the Solargraph is where it’s at. You can learn more about the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph at their website.
