I love a fun watch. And while at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, you see some of the most extravagant and incredible pieces of watchmaking all under one roof, sometimes the palate cleanser becomes the memorable part. And nothing could be more true than when I finally got to see perfect CA replica TAG Heuer‘s new Formula 1 watches in person.
Now, I suppose these didn’t just come out of the blue. Credit where credit is due, the brand seems to have found its footing in the past few years as it starts to develop a better balance between heritage for the collectors and modernity for, well, all its other customers — think moves like the Glassbox Carrera and (shameless plug) our own Hodinkee Seafarer collaboration. With the return of the 1986 Formula 1 design, it’s the closest we’ve seen to a true revival from the brand in a while, in nine different combinations of colors and materials.
As we went into the TAG Heuer booth to check out these new releases, I immediately noticed that right next to this box of colorful novelties sat a box of the original Formula 1 fake watches for sale. Comparing both, the first thing that jumped out was the sizing. While the originals sat at a small 35mm, these new Formula 1 cases were upsized to 38mm. I was worried at first — was this change going to lose a bit of the charm? After all, last year’s Kith collaboration kept the watch at 35mm. But when I quickly grabbed one and put it on my wrist, that worry went away. This was the right call to appeal to a more modern customer, while remaining compact in stature.
Now, I’ve read a lot of discourse online about the new Formula 1s on launch day, and the main thing being thrown around was that these were plastic cheap 1:1 copy watches. I’ll admit, I think that connotation stuck with me before I got a chance to see these in person. But seeing all of them in one place, I realized that very much wasn’t the case. In fact, only three out of the nine have cases made out of the bio composite that the brand is calling TH-Polylight, and those also have inner steel containers as well as steel casebacks. The remaining six are all cased in stainless steel, with the black cases treated in DLC. A non-screw-down-crown in steel caps each watch and offers a water resistance of 100m.
Complementing and occasionally matching the case and bezel colors are rubber straps and the aforementioned steel bracelets. The sandblasted steel bracelet is solid and pretty much what you would expect from a pre-existing TAG Heuer at this price point. One thing I wish was different, however, is the modern “TAG Heuer” text engraved on the clasp. It is surprisingly plain for a collection with such a distinct design language. Thankfully, the bold styling is very much present on the rubber straps, which mirror those of the original luxury replica watches CA with bold shield logos molded into the strap. Tang buckles in brushed or DLC-treated steel complement. There are quite a generous number of holes punched in the straps, which should accommodate a very wide range of wrist sizes.
The biggest technical update to this Formula 1 design, of course, is the new Solargraph movement. The Solargraph TH50-00 caliber is specced slightly higher than some of its competitors, with a continuous running time of 10 months with no light exposure. The caliber was first introduced in the Aquaracer case a few years back, and was developed through Citizen Group-owned La Joux-Perret, undoubtedly drawing on the group’s deep history of solar-powered movements in the Eco-Drive. High quality TAG Heuer super clone watches says that two minutes of direct sunlight can power the Solargraph for one day and that the battery has a lifespan of 15 years.
For the Solargraph caliber to receive sun exposure, the dials on the new Formula 1 Solargraphs are semi-translucent, which may explain why we didn’t see a throwback lume-coated dial, at least in this first round of releases. The dials are very well done, with the darker ones appearing matte in texture and the white dials having a bit of an off-white tint, complemented by new applied indices that add a bit more intricacy to the design. On the wrist, you’d never really know that this was a solar-powered top replica watches. I’d imagine that the upsizing helps too, with a larger surface area of dial for sun exposure.
So, the overall product here is pretty great. It’s a successful capitalization on one of the brand’s most fun and nostalgic designs, and I think all of the modern updates make sense for the evolution. Most importantly, they feel great on the wrist. I was tempted to buy the green one on the spot, if not hindered by the fact that most of the models are limited editions released throughout the year during many of the Grand Prix weekends. Sigh. I guess I’ll have to wait until July.
Now, we get to the price. TAG Heuer is positioning the Formula 1 models on rubber straps at $1,800 and the ones on bracelet at $1,900. Say what you want about the value that these particular AAA China fake watches offer, but they are priced very much in line with every other TAG Heuer quartz offering in the collection and provide a design that pulls on a very distinct piece of history from the brand.
What is different, nowadays, is the intent of this newly refreshed Formula 1 line. As Jeff Stein notes in his interview with original best quality replica TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches designer Eddy Burgener, the 1986 Formula 1 was intended as a bright, colorful, Swiss competitor to the do-it-all Casios of the time. Now, in the year 2025, the Formula 1 is very much luxury Swiss copy watches, though still the more accessible model that serves as the entry point into the TAG Heuer brand. Alas, it is the double-edged sword of nostalgia, where an iconic design is fondly remembered, but so is the original three-digit price tag.