Watches are banned from modern Formula 1 races for safety reasons. Besides, modern F1 steering wheels display real-time telemetry, so drivers hardly need wristwatches anyway. As a result, watches have largely been relegated to badges of honor for fans. But not the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 x Formula 1 Edition. It is not merely a Formula 1 lineage on the wrist. It is a smartwatch that keeps you connected to the championship while declaring that you are a true fan of the motorsport.
Its Race Track face updates according to the current or next Grand Prix on the calendar. It covers all 24 Grand Prix weekends, displaying the country flag, race name, and circuit outline, complete with a dot racing around it to count the seconds. A dedicated Formula 1 app provides schedules, results, and driver and constructor standings, while widgets track practice, qualifying, and race day. Custom sounds even imitate pit-radio alerts, minus someone yelling about tire strategy.
The 45 mm smartwatch uses a black-DLC Grade 2 titanium case, ceramic bezel, sapphire-covered 1.39-inch OLED display, and red-accented pushers. It includes a carbon-patterned leather-and-rubber strap plus a stretch textile alternative.
Other specifications include the Snapdragon Wear 5100+ chipset, heart-rate monitoring, GPS, activity and sleep tracking, 50 m water resistance, and a 419 mAh battery lasting up to three days in Low Power mode. The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 x Formula 1 Edition costs US$2,550.
I know. We are already halfway through the season, but thankfully, it does not appear to be a one-season affair. The app retrieves its calendar, results, and standings from TAG Heuer’s servers, while the company describes the watch as evolving “throughout the seasons.” However, neither the official product page nor TAG Heuer’s F1 Edition FAQ guarantees multiyear support or specifies when that support might end. So, do take note of this detail.
Images: TAG Heuer.