This is often because the dial design is dictated by the layout of the movement beneath. In some cases, chronographs can feature subdials which are too close to each other or, conversely, spaced too far apart. A central chronograph is presented in a silver hue with a counterweight resembling the TAG Heuer shield located at the opposite end to the narrow tip. The hour and minute hands have polished edges and feature luminous material at their core. My favoured model is the grey dial model complemented with a steel and ceramic bracelet (reference: CAU2010.BA0873).Ī sunray motif features on the dial, dancing with light, granting areas of dark and shade which bestow a warm feeling and a sense of quality. The model is available in four variants, three with an anthracite dial and one with an avant-garde combination of orange detail set against a black canvas. My interest was piqued and I felt the watch justified closer examination. The model, launched earlier this year at Baselworld 2013, features generous proportions and a self-winding movement. Recently, I discovered the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph 44mm. To my shame, I have never paid much attention to the Formula 1 models, favouring the mechanical timepieces further up the TAG Heuer range. I am a die-hard fan of the balance wheel, pallet lever and escape wheel and, consequently, feel little emotional attraction to quartz movements. The watch contained a quartz movement which, whilst according accuracy and convenience, was a further aspect that failed to excite me. Nevertheless, by contrast I had to concede that it provided accessible pricing and a first-step on the rung of TAG Heuer ownership. It somehow felt like sacrilege to associate the model with a brand with a rich history of creating exceptional chronograph timepieces such as the Carrera and Monaco. I must admit that the watch did not appeal to my tastes. It featured a bright red dial with a black crenellated bezel.
This equally applies to the world of horology.Ĭutting-edge technology and advances in metallurgy are just two areas which have conferred advancement within the watchmaking industry recently.Ī few years ago, I recall seeing a Formula 1 watch from TAG Heuer in a retailer’s shop window. Objectivity can sometimes be skewed by the emotional attachment we assign to past experiences.ĭespite my middle-aged perception that many aspects of life are changing for the worse, in reality there are numerous examples of improvements to our lives. The reality is that history repeats itself and I now sound like the father I remember in my adolescent youth. Listening to current-day music, I found myself referring to it as “rubbish” and stating that “In my day, we had proper songs”. Like many men of my generation, as grey hair began to populate my sideburns and my hairline started to recede, I lamented, “Things aren’t what they used to be”. This detailed review of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph 44mm includes live images and specification details. His interest piqued, he chose to examine the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph 44mm in more detail. TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph 44mm Dismissing the TAG Heuer Formula 1 range as solely quartz models, Angus Davies discovered an automatic model within the range.