Nostalgia is a powerful tool, but TAG Heuer has proven with the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 that it’s not just about looking back. By fusing the iconic 1985 design with modern Solargraph technology, they’ve created a watch that’s both a nod to the past and a serious contender for the present. Forget changing batteries; the 80s are back, this time with solar power.
There is a certain obsession with the past in the world of luxury watches. But usually that past smells of 1960s petrol, legendary racers and leather gloves. TAG Heuer has spent its last years right there – in the safe haven of its Carrera and Monaco models. These are the watches that defined the Heuer brand before it became TAG Heuer. Today I present – TAG Heuer Formula 1.
But something interesting happened this year. Instead of reviving the spirit of Steve McQueen, the brand turned to a period often overlooked by watchmaking purists: 1985. That was the year TAG (Techniques d'Avant Garde) took over Heuer and created the modern giant we know today. And their first move? A watch made of plastic and quartz.
Today, that watch is making a comeback. And believe it or not, it might be the best move they've made in the last decade.
From cheap plastic to cult status
The original Formula 1 from the mid-1980s was the answer to the Swatch tsunami. It was colorful, made of plastic, battery-powered, and, most importantly, affordable. For many, it was their first “real” watch. For others, it was a symbol of the decline of traditional watchmaking.
But time, as they say, heals all wounds. What was once considered “precious” is now “retro”. The new Formula 1 for 2025 retains that playful soul. It is still colorful. It still has that specific look that screams neon lights and synthesizers. However, TAG Heuer did not skimp on the materials this time.
While the case looks like that familiar plastic on the outside, the inside is much more serious. The watch has a stainless steel inner core, giving it a weight and a sense of quality that the original didn't have. This isn't a toy you buy at the airport; this is a luxury product that only pretends to be casual.
Solar energy instead of changing batteries
This is where things get really interesting for tech lovers. The original Formula 1 was a simple quartz watch. When the battery died, you replaced it. The new version, however, keeps up with the times and the eco-consciousness of 2025.
Hidden under the dial TAG Heuer Solargraph movement (caliber TH50-00). This is a technology that uses light – natural or artificial – to charge the watch. No more changing batteries every two years. As long as there is light, the watch runs.
This is a key upgrade that elevates this watch from the “beautiful replica” category to the “useful modern watch” category. The Solargraph is a robust, precise, and completely worry-free mechanism. It’s the kind of technology you’d expect from a brand with the word “Avant Garde” in its name.
Size matters
One of the biggest challenges in reviving vintage watches is size. Watches from the 1980s were small by today's standards. The original Formula 1 measured just 35 millimeters. To today's buyer, accustomed to smartwatches and larger chronographs, this would look like a coin on the wrist.
TAG Heuer has solved this elegantly. They’ve increased the new case to 38 millimeters. That may not sound like much, but on the wrist the difference is huge. 38 millimeters is that “sweet spot” – big enough to look modern and masculine, yet compact enough to retain vintage charm and comfort. It’s a universal size that fits almost everyone.
The price of nostalgia? It's not exactly 1985
If you spent your pocket money or summer earnings on the original Formula 1 in the 1980s, prepare for a minor shock. A new era brings new prices. Although the watch visually recalls the relaxed days of cheap plastic, the price tag says we are in a world of serious luxury.
You'll have to shell out around 1,750 euros for this neon time machine.
Sounds like a lot for a watch inspired by a “plastic” past? Maybe. But you have to consider that you’re not just buying nostalgia, but a top-notch Solargraph movement, sapphire crystal, and materials that will outlast your memories of the 80s. Is that the price of “hype”? Absolutely. Will people pay it? Considering that queuing in front of boutiques has become a new national sport – no doubt.
Why is this important now?
You might be wondering why anyone would pay a premium price for a watch that resembles plastic from the 1980s in 2025. The answer is simple: Fashion is cyclical, but technology must progress.
TAG Heuer hit the nail on the head with this model (TAG Heuer Formula 1). They didn't just copy the old blueprint. They took an aesthetic that people like (and that's extremely trendy right now) and filled it with the technology that people need.
This is not the time for gala dinners. This is a watch for the weekend. It's a watch that says you know history, but you don't live in it. And most importantly – it's fun. In the world of serious, often overly reserved watchmaking, this is exactly what we needed.
