The Formula 1 collection debuted in 1986 as the inaugural release following Techniques d'Avant Garde's acquisition of Heuer, initially utilizing synthetic fiberglass cases to provide an accessible entry point to the brand.
Reference WAZ1110.FT8023 represents the collection's modern transition, upgrading the original synthetic architecture to a 41mm brushed stainless steel tonneau case paired with a perforated black rubber strap. The black dial features an oversized '12' and '6' configuration, prominently displaying the traditional red and green TAG Heuer shield below the twelve o'clock position.
From its founding in 1860, Heuer established a reputation for precision built on foundational innovations. Edouard Heuer's 1887 patent for the oscillating pinion remains a critical component in modern chronographs, while the 1916 "Mikrograph," the first stopwatch capable of measuring 1/100th of a second, secured the brand's role as an official Olympic timekeeper. This early focus on accuracy naturally led to a deep-seated connection with motorsports, where the brand's dashboard timers became essential equipment for rally drivers, laying the groundwork for an identity forged on the racetrack.
The brand's ties with racing was immortalized in the 1960s with a trio of legendary chronographs: the Carrera, Autavia, and the avant-garde Monaco. The Monaco, with its distinctive square case, became an icon on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the film Le Mans and was one of the first watches to house the groundbreaking Calibre 11 automatic chronograph movement. After its acquisition by Techniques d'Avant Garde (TAG) in 1985, the brand solidified its legendary status through a decades-long partnership with Formula 1.
Overall Grade: 8 / 10 | Great, Minor Visible Wear Production: 2022 Contents: Full-set Genre: Sports Watch
Size: 41mm Thickness: approx. 12mm Lug Width: approx. 20mm
Case: Stainless steel, fine-brushed finish, minor wear Bezel: Unidirectional bezel, PVD coated, 60-minute scale, minor wear Dial: Black dial, applied markers, date display Hands: Stainless steel, dauphine hands
Crown: Stainless steel, PVD coated, screw-down crown, minor wear Crystal: Sapphire, crystal, minor wear Bracelet: Black perforated rubber strap, minor wear Caseback: Stainless steel, solid, screw-down, minor wear Movement: Quartz Caliber: Ronda Ebauche