TAG Heuer and Formula 1 share a rich history. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 was the first watch released following the acquisition of Heuer by Techniques d’Avant Garde in 1986. This watch was the first analogue TAG Heuer series to be quartz-only and to this day there has never been an automatic model.
The watch was inspired by the Formula 1 Swatch watch, which had been launched at Basel in 1983.
During the 1970s, Heuer had been a sponsor of Ferrari. TAG was the principal sponsor of the Williams team from 1979-1981. TAG went on to purchase 50% of McLaren International at the end of 1981. TAG funded the development of the Porsche 1.5 litre turbo engine that would later lead the McLaren- TAG cars to claim the World Championships in 1984 and 1985.
Released 1986-1990, the first generation F1 watches were designed by Eddy Burgener and using a stainless steel inner case coated with Fibreglass. from 1997 to 2015, series 2,3,4 and 5 was released.
The most recent edition to the collection is series 6, which was brought to the market in 2015. 30 years on from the first series, this model has the most radical change of all the Formula 1 TAG Heuer watches. Instead of the original case design, the design of the series 6 is influenced by the 1970s Heuer Autavia.
The watch featured is part of John Pye's Luxury Assets Auction to be held in Marchington on 8th December.
Ending on 7th December is John Pye's Luxury Jewellery Auction – Bond Street. This sale will feature the below pieces.
