Introducing the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Senna Watch

The sporty and capable TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Senna watch is developed in collaboration with the Senna Foundation and pays tribute to the legendary motor racing driver with distinct nods to his iconic yellow helmet

Unless you’re a motorsport fan, you may not have realised that we’ve just passed a very significant date. The 3rd November marks a special milestone in the history of motorsports and also one for Swiss watchmaker, TAG Heuer, who has a longstanding relationship with a very successful racing driver. Back in 1991 on November 3rd, Ayrton Senna became the industry’s youngest three-time World champion with a total of 7 pole positions secured that season. This month it was exactly 30 years ago when that milestone in history was reached. But the spirit of Senna lives on today, not only with a line of special edition watches made in honour of the racing legend by TAG Heuer, but also in the form of the Senna brand, created by Senna himself, in which some proceeds are directed towards supporting the Ayrton Senna Institute.

The TAG Heuer and Senna relationship

The Senna brand, which was created in 1992, served as a way to encourage a certain way of living through the brand’s products. It was Senna’s way of promoting his own values. That way of inspirational living still lives on today. The Ayrton Senna Institute extends the racing driver’s legacy further by making a real change in the world. Over the years the Institute has aimed to improve public education policies for children and young people in Brazil and has so far reached over 25 million children.

Ayrton Senna has been an ambassador for TAG Heuer since the late 80s and has always been known for his sense of style, his iconic flash of yellow that would illuminate the racing track in seconds like a bolt of lightning and, of course, his commitment to timekeeping behind the wheel. Over the years TAG Heuer has released many special edition watches honouring the legendary racing driver and all that he stood for within the Formula 1 industry. It is this same commitment that makes the release of the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Senna Edition such an exciting release. The new model features a specially embossed leather strap that evokes the famous steel link bracelet frequently seen on Senna’s wrist, as well as a confident 43mm diameter with a striking yellow and black colour scheme. The leather strap is also lined with a vivid yellow contrast stitching, giving the timepiece an undeniable sporty aesthetic. The stainless steel bracelet to which it nods to was the first one ever to be manufactured by TAG Heuer. The leather band secures to the wrist with a stainless steel clasp and a double safety folding system with a push-button release mechanism.

Black and yellow

Black and yellow were, of course, Senna’s signature colours and so the black bezel and dial flange is another familiar theme that has run throughout the brand’s line of Senna-inspired timepieces. The 43mm sandblasted steel case of the watch has even received a black DLC-coated finish to give it a sleek and stealth-like feel on the wrist. Crowning the bezel at 12 o’clock is a vivid yellow double S motif that sits alongside the Senna name. The same motif is repeated in the 6 o’clock sub-dial. Upon the anthracite grey dial of this watch is the “TAG Heuer Formula 1” lettering, together with numeral hour markers at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock locations. These details are luminous and glow richly in the dark, as do the black plated and polished central hands. These features are accompanied by a date window at 4:30 and are surrounded by a black ceramic bezel, which frames the yellow chronograph sub-counters that offer small seconds, 1/10th of a second and 30-minute functions. All three of these counters feature rhodium-plated hands set against an azurage surface. The bezel, with subtle yellow accents across its tachymeter scale, features an engraved 400 marl paying reference to the 400km/hr speed that has never been reached in Formula 1 before. There are additional features to this TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Senna edition watch that contribute to its use as a reliable everyday timekeeping tool. These features include a 200-meter water-resistant case that holds a reliable and high accuracy quartz movement inside. On the back of the case is an engraved image of the Brazilian driver’s helmet.

As mentioned, the black leather strap that completes the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Senna Special Edition watch is embossed and features a black lining along with an S-shaped pattern that echoes the original steel bracelet worn by Senna himself. The strap fastens with a steel folding clasp with a double safety system and push buttons and has also been engraved with the famous TAG Heuer shield logo – a symbol that has always been instantly associated with the brand’s high standards in Swiss timekeeping.

If you would like any more information about the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Senna watch, you can check out the full spec list here or call our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453

Technical specifications of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Senna Special Edition watch

• Case: 43mm – stainless Steel – sandblasted – black DLC-coated – 200-meter water-resistant – engraved case back depicting Ayrton Senna’s driving helmet – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – fixed black brushed ceramic tachymeter bezel
• Dial: Anthracite – sunray brushed with vivid yellow accents – Super-LumiNova-coated hour markers – black plated and polished luminous hands – 30-minute counter, small second counter and 1/10th of a second counter – date at 4:30 – double S and Formula 1 lettering
• Movement – Swiss made – quartz-powered – chronograph seconds, date, central hour and minutes – 1/10th of a second, 30-minute, small second features
• Strap: Black leather – embossed S pattern inspired by original bracelet – stainless steel folding clasp  – push button – engraved with the TAG Heuer shield logo
• Reference: CAZ101AJ.FC6487
• Price: £1,900