The New TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition Automatic Chronograph

The 1st of May 1994 will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in Formula 1 racing. A day in a racing weekend that was already looking pretty grim, as the sport lost not one but two drivers. Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger both fatally crashed at the (in)famous Imola race track. With Ayrton Senna’s status as one of the greatest drivers ever to grace a racetrack, it’s only natural that he still serves as an inspiration to many of us today. Collaborations and endorsements are also part of the game, even back in the 1980s. And for TAG Heuer and Ayrton Senna this started in 1988, the year he became world champion. Now, close to 35 years later, TAG Heuer honours the legend once again with the new Formula 1 Senna Special Edition.

This 2022 edition of the Senna watch by TAG Heuer is a homage to the company’s first Ayrton Senna-branded watch. As the driver continues to inspire generations of race car drivers and fans the world over, it’s no surprise there’s admiration from companies: McLaren named one of its most track-oriented supercars the Senna. It’s the same for TAG Heuer, which has had quite a history with Senna.

The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition comes in a hefty 44mm wide brushed and polished stainless steel case. On top is a fixed bezel with a black ceramic insert and a tachymeter scale in white. At 12 o’clock there’s the familiar Senna-S logo, in red, flanked by the pilot’s name. The number 400 is in reference to the speed of 400kph, which has never been reached in an F1 race. Not something I feel is necessary, to be honest. The crown and start/stop pusher have also been given a touch of red to emphasise the sporty credentials.

The anthracite sunray-brushed dial has three recessed sub-dials with concentric circular patterns and red elements on the outer perimeter. The 12-hour counter for the chronograph has a red Senna logo, and the date window has a red outline too. The applied hour indices and hands are faceted and have a stripe of Super-LumiNova. On the outermost edge of the dial, there’s a black flange with a white minutes/seconds scale and four red and white triangles.

Powering the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition is the calibre 16 automatic chronograph. It’s very likely to be a Sellita SW-500 movement, which is based on the tried-and-tested Valjoux 7750 architecture. It runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and provides you with 42 hours of running time once fully wound. It’s hidden from view by the closed caseback, which has been fittingly decorated with a silhouette of Ayrton Senna wearing his racing helmet, the TAG Heuer logo and the line “Senna Special Edition”.

The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition is worn on the signature and comfortable S-link stainless steel bracelet. It’s been featured on several previous Senna special edition watches, even the ones outside the Formula 1 collection. The bracelet is brushed and fitted with a folding clasp with a pilot’s extension. It retails for EUR 3,350.

For more information, please visit TAGHeuer.com.