Jamie Weiss
2025 will certainly be down as one of the most important years in Taghoire’s history. The brand has resumed its role as the official timekeeper for Formula 1. This is a sport that watchmakers have been entwined for a long time, and it’s a great sport to see the brand return. Part of this partnership means that pit lane clocks will be tag heur clocks in all future F1 races, and the brand debuted an interesting design for these watches, very similar to the 80s Formula 1 watches.
Last month, when I was on the ground for Australia’s Grand Prix, the season opener, he said, “That pit lane watch is sick, but is this going to look at the new Formula 1 watch?” Well, that’s exactly what happened in the clock and the mysterious Geneva 2025. With a genius movement, Tag Heuer took the iconic Formula 1 watch design and celebrated it with solar-powered movements, bringing this cult classic retro watch to the 21st century.
case
Debuting in 1986, the original F1 watch was a colorful, affordable, highly collectible quartz watch with a plastic case and strap. Formula 1 Solar Graph has similar forms, but they are not identical to the Kiss Hoyer released last year. This was a more faithful recreation of the original from 1986.
It has a slightly larger diameter with a thickness of 38mm and a thickness of 9.9mm (compared to 35mm and 9.45mm), and has a stronger crown, with a slightly redesigned bezel and strap option. Importantly, they also have a slightly different range of colorways. There are a total of nine colorways, all of which have a biopolyamide (read: plastic) bezel, but otherwise the materials vary from steel to black DLC steel to completely biopolyamide.
Interestingly, these Formula 1 solar graphs are half the water resistant of Kiss Hoyer, down from 200 meters to 100 meters. These are not positioned as diving clocks, but Aquaraser’s solar graph fills in that position! I don’t think this is a big deal. That’s all you can survive by scattering champagne during the podium celebrations.
Dial
The nine colorways of the Solar Graph of the tag HEUER F1 feature oparin dials with polished, refined indexes filled with rhodium-plated rhodium-plated. The 12, 6, and 9 hour markers are shaped like the tag Heuer shield (ref. It has wby111a.ft8106 instead); Mercedes style hands are back too.
Compared to the original Formula 1 and Kiss Fuer, the F1 solar graph’s indicators are slightly larger, with the opaline finish giving it a more modern and premium look. Naturally, the various colour options are both lively and eye-catching. These are not subtle watches.
strap
Formula 1 Solar Graph has three different strap options when fired. The bear steel model is mounted on three rows of stainless steel bracelets. The wby111a.ft8106 has a slightly different racing rubber strap. Note: The retro rubber strap option has a steel or black DLC steel pin buckle, unlike what you see on Kith Heuers.
The bracelet looks a little less jubilee-like than the Kiss Wheyers bracelet. They have wider facet links and look a little more modern. The rubber strap option also features a more modern and durable FKM rubber that is more comfortable on the wrist. Another great upgrade.
Movement
Officially, the movement that drives these F1 solar graphs is called the caliber TH50-00, but most people call it solar motion. Developed in collaboration with La Joux-Perret (widely considered a market leader in citizen-owned solar movements), the solar graph movement is charged either by the sun or artificial light. Tag claims that a two-minute exposure to direct sunlight is enough to power the watch all day long, and once fully charged (it takes less than 20 hours under the sun), the watch can run for up to six months without exposure to light. Additionally, if the clock stops at a time, you will need to touch the light source for 10 seconds to start again.
Nowadays, solar graph movement is a very well-known amount. The sun’s movement is generally very robust, boasting an incredible longevity, and batteries often last for decades or more. What really striking is the seamless integration of this solar movement into Formula 1. If there is no “Solar Graph” text on the dial, you don’t know that it’s a solar watch.
verdict
I’m a huge Formula 1 fan (especially the watches, but also the watches) and missed getting one of last year’s Kith Heuers, so I’m glad to see the OG F1 design return permanently due to the range of tag Heuer. I think the brand did an amazing job of staying true to the original, while also introducing solid quality of life tweaks and using a solar movement makes sense.
Andrew said this last year when he revealed the Time+Tide x Tag heuer Aquaracer Solargraph ‘Sundower’. And I totally agree – solar watches are so convenient that they don’t feel like they’re overlooked too much because they don’t have mechanical movements. Incidentally, Tag Heuer also released a new range of Mechanical Formula 1 chronographs earlier this year.
The real question is this: What colourway do you go? Ref. With slightly different straps and dials, the WBY111a.ft8106 releases a large ’90s/’ 00S vibe. Decisions, decisions.
Pricing and availability for the tag Heuer F1
Each colorway from the Tag Heuer F1 solar graph collection has been gradually released throughout 2025 and is tied to the Miami Grand Prix in late April/early May, including the various F1 Grand Prix, including the British Grand Prix held in Silverstone in July and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September. There are pre-sale windows arranged for each race weekend. For example, in the case of the Miami Grand Prix, ref. wby1114.ft8084 (steel case/bracelet, white dial, red flange) will open for pre-sale on Tuesday before it officially sells on Friday, the start of the race weekend. Does it make sense? Price: CHF 1,750 (Rubber strap model), CHF 1,850 (Steel bracelet model)
Brand Tags HEUER Model Formula 1 Solar Graph Reference WBY1111.BA0042
WBY1112.BA0042
wby1113.ba0042
wby1114.ft8084
wby117.ft8087
wby111a.ft8106
wby1160.ft8085
wby1161.ft8086
WBY1162.ft8105 Case Dimensions 38mm(d) x 9.9mm
