Gulf’s powder-blue-and-orange racing livery was created to be seen at speed, and subtlety has not entered the garage since. TAG Heuer has applied those unmistakable colors to the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf, the fourth watch from the collaboration and one unlikely to be mistaken for office stationery.
Across its black opaline dial run Gulf’s blue and orange stripes, joined by a blue chapter ring, three chronograph counters, skeletonized hands, and sharper racing-inspired indexes. A forged-carbon tachymeter bezel surrounds the display, while an orange-lacquered crown ensures no corner escapes the color scheme.
The 44 mm case is made from sandblasted Grade 2 titanium with black DLC, matched to a sandblasted titanium bracelet. It measures 14.5 mm thick and offers 200 m (656 ft) of water resistance, which is considerably deeper than any sensible pit lane.
Inside is TAG Heuer’s automatic Calibre 16, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and providing a 48-hour power reserve. It handles hours, minutes, date, running seconds, and 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph timing.
Limited to 1,000 pieces, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf costs US$6,300. The Gulf colors are included; a Le Mans-winning race car is not.
Images: TAG Heuer.