#Tag heuer formula 1 calibre 16 gold series

#Tag heuer formula 1 calibre 16 gold series

The first series Formula 1 watches use a variety of quartz movements. The fiberglass models continued to be sold until 1993/4 and stand out today as the real signature watch of the Formula 1 collection. In 1987 the range expanded to include a stainless steel case and bracelet as well as a range of new colours. The design was unlike any other contemporary Heuer or TAG Heuer watch, with the only familiar design traits being the Mercedes-style hands already used on many of the brand’s dive watches. Dial colours covered a similar range of colours, along with choices with luminous dials, evoking the company’s tradition in dive watches. Among the choices in the early years of the Formula 1 collection (1986 through 1990) were fiberglass cases in black, white, red, blue and pink, with bright bezels expanding the palette to include green and yellow. The initial range of Formula 1 watches was limited to two sizes (28mm and 34mm) of brightly coloured cases matched to plastic straps that you could cut to size. Interestingly, Heuer had used fiberglass for the cases of two of its economy collections in the early 1970s, the Temporada and the East Rider. The first-generation Formula 1 watches were designed by Eddy Burgener and used an innovative case construction - a mixture of a stainless steel inner case coated with fiberglass.

Brought back a few yearsb later, the Formula 1 remains a key part of the TAG Heuer range, focused on the value-end of the market, with designs that capture the excitement of the ultimate form of motorsports. TAG remained a sponsor as the Marlboro McLaren transitioned to Honda power, later in the 1980s.Īnd so the early TAG Heuer catalogues from late 1980s would be dominated by dive watches and the new Formula 1 collection, with the classic chronographs from the 1960s and 70s having run their course.ĭespite the immense success of the Formula 1 collection, with sales of over 3,000,000 watches, the watch had only a short life – at least initially – being discontinued in 2000. TAG then funded the development of the Porsche 1.5 litre turbo engine that would power the McLaren-TAG cars to consecutive World Championships in 19. Heuer had of course been a sponsor of Ferrari during the 1970s, while TAG was the principal sponsor of the Williams team from 1979-1981, before buying 50% of McLaren International at the end of the 1981 season. The choice of the “Formula 1” name for the new collection was also symbolic of the new TAG Heuer, as perhaps the only thing that TAG and Heuer had it common in 1986 was their deep connection to Formula 1 racing. TAG Heuer catalogues of the period proclaimed proudly that the “Formula 1” name was in honor of the company’s highly successful involvement with the Marlboro McLaren Formula 1 racing team. The “Formula 1” name was perfect for TAG Heuer’s new collection, with Jack Heuer having developed Formula 1 sponsorships in the 1960s and 70s, and TAG Heuer having what would be a long-lived partnership with McLaren in 1985.

Not a racing chronograph, and not a dive watch, the new Formula 1 collection would capitalize on the demand for colorful, inexpensive quartz watches.

When Techniques d’Avant Garde completed its acquisition of Heuer in January 1986, TAG Heuer was positioned to launch an entirely new type of watch. These stylish but inexpensive watches took the world by storm, at the same time providing a significant boost to the Swiss watch industry. As low-priced quartz watches from Japan flooded global markets, in Fall 1983, an independent Swiss watch brand (Swatch), began selling colorful plastic watches, with quartz movements and traditional analog hands, at a price of 50 CHF. While TAG Heuer was having great success with its collections of dive watches, an entirely new category of watches was revolutionizing the Swiss watch industry. The Executive collection would come in 1984, marking Heuer’s move into a new category – elegant, premium quality watches that drew their inspiration from dive watches. Having introduced its first dive watches in 1978, over the next eight years TAG Heuer had followed up on its initial success with the introduction of three collections – the 1000 Series, the 2000 Series and the 3000 Series. 1986 marked a pivotal moment for TAG Heuer, as a company and as a watch brand.