The New TAG Heuer Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf

It’s fair to say that TAG Heuer’s history is so closely intertwined with racing history that it is usually the first name that springs to mind when the subject of motorsports crops up. In 1882, Edouard Heuer patented his first stopwatch, and in 1911, Heuer released the Time of Trip, the first dashboard chronograph. Under Jack Heuer in the 1960s, the brand would become the first non-automotive brand to sponsor an F1 driver and see the birth of legendary racetrack-inspired models like the Autavia, Carrera and Monaco. To celebrate the brand’s return as the Official Timekeeper of Formula 1, TAG Heuer gave its Formula 1 collection a radical overhaul. Pushing its racing credentials into the fast lane, TAG releases the Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf, flying Gulf Oil’s iconic blue and orange livery.

The original 1986 Formula 1, the first watch introduced after TAG acquired Heuer, was a colourful lineup of quartz-powered watches. Eventually equipped with the calibre 16 automatic movement in 2014, the Formula 1 came in 42mm stainless steel cases with a tachymeter bezel, like this Verstappen edition.

Although the 2025 Formula 1 chronographs rely on the same calibre, many features have changed, starting with the chassis, which dropped stainless steel in favour of lightweight yet resilient grade 2 titanium – a sound choice given the strapping dimensions of the case with its 44mm diameter and 14.1mm thickness. Decorated with sporty sandblasted and black DLC finishes, the new case has a more angular shape inspired by the nose of F1 cars, and the chronograph pushers have evolved from round to rectangular for a more streamlined effect.

The Heuer-Gulf Oil connection dates to 1971, when Steve McQueen, starring in the epic film Le Mans, drove a Gulf-sponsored Porsche 917K while wearing a Monaco chronograph. In 2018, TAG Heuer signed a global partnership deal with Gulf Oil International, resulting in several Gulf-themed Monaco editions that are joined today by the Formula 1.

Donning Gulf’s livery, two wide vertical orange and light-blue stripes traverse the right side of the dial. A fun design detail is how the racy stripes go off-track, invading the peripheral track. The matte black chronograph counters – 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers at noon and 6 o’clock, respectively – stand out with their bright orange hands, matching the lacquered central chronograph seconds hand and the 5-minute markers on the flange. The light-blue hand of the running seconds counter at 9 o’clock matches the blue lacquered chapter ring that hosts the 8 applied indices. Indicated by semi-openworked hour and minute hands, the indices and hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova. The black-framed date window, which cuts into the orange stripe, features a white disc and is flanked by the watch name and the TAG Heuer shield, both in white.

Presented in a fully sandblasted titanium case with a matching titanium bracelet and black DLC-clad pushers and crown, the 200m water-resistant chronograph has an orange lacquered crown ring and an orange divider between the bezel and middle case. The marbled effect of the fixed forged carbon bezel is offset by the white markings of the tachymeter scale. Cementing the alliance, TAG Heuer’s shield logo and “Gulf” are featured on the bezel and on the medallion of the screw-down caseback.

TAG Heuer’s calibre 16 automatic cam-activated chronograph (a Sellita SW510, using a Valjoux 7750 base) powers the watch. A reliable and serviceable movement, it operates at 28,800vph and delivers a 42-hour reserve. The Formula 1 x Gulf is a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. It will be available from 3 July 2026 and retails for CHF 5,950, EUR 6,300 or USD 6,300. More information at tagheuer.com.