“Dutch Pride” embodied by the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen Special Edition

Dutch citizens and their pride, all wrapped in orange… That’s something few can understand but I have to say, I do. Indeed, I am surrounded with Dutch guys, as two of our contributors are Dutch and even our dear founder Frank is. While the Netherlands aren’t known to be the greatest country for sports, they have one man to rely on, one man that is known to be the youngest Formula One Grand Prix winner of all time. To celebrate “Dutch Pride” and this great champion, TAG Heuer unveiled yesterday night in Amsterdam the new Max Verstappen Special Edition, a watch only available for his fans and co-citizens in the Netherlands.

Heuer and later TAG Heuer have a great history with Formula 1. TAG (Techniques d’avant garde) was indeed one of the main financers of F1 during the 1980s, providing a Porsche engine to the successful McLaren team and legend Ayrton Senna. At the same time, in 1985, TAG purchased Swiss watchmaker Heuer – then becoming TAG Heuer. On the other hand, Heuer was a major actor of timekeeping in Formula 1 – see our in-depth article here – and created some of the best-known racing chronographs, including the Carrera and the Autavia, both seen on Formula 1 divers’ wrists. Today, TAG Heuer even has a complete collection of watches called Formula 1 and is the main sponsor of team Red Bull – and thus, from pilot Max Verstappen. After the Red Bull special edition, you won’t be surprised to see TAG Heuer coming with a watch dedicated to this young driver and only available for the Dutch market.

The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen takes inspiration from the Formula 1 collection and the recently introduced Red Bull Team edition. It has the same robust and slightly vintage (see the oval shape reminiscent – a bit – of the Autavia) case, made from stainless steel, measuring 43mm, with polished and brushed surfaces. This chronograph is combined to a fixed bezel (even if notched – again something reminiscent from the Autavia), with large tachymetric scale (Formula 1 theme obliged), in blue aluminum. The dial, with its tri-compax layout, also shows a combination of blue and white, with large indexes and hands, for a maximized legibility.

The novelty of this edition is clearly the multiple reference to the “Dutch Orange”, which can ben seen on the hands and the dial (the luminous paint is indeed orange) and on the perforated leather strap. It also features a specially marked orange space on the dial (from 0-180 of the tachymetre scale) with the “18” of the 180 in bold to underline the age of Max when he won his first Formula One Grand Prix – yes, at that age, most of us barely know how to drive a small Ford Fiesta, while Max does his magic on a 850hp go-kart…

The definition of “Dutch Pride” – our Dutch contributor Robin Nooij, yesterday night, together with Max Verstappen

The caseback is also specific, with “TAG Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen Youngest Grand Prix Winner Special Edition” engraved. The only concern is that the movement of this TAG Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen Special Edition is not mechanical but quartz (however beneficial to the retail price). However, its look and its link with one of the greatest sportsmen the Netherlands had recently makes it desirable, knowing that this watch will only be available on the Dutch market. Price: 1,350 Euros.