What We Know
This one is orange. That’s the news here, really. It’s a bit shocking to think that since TAG Heuer’s reintroduction of the mighty Formula 1 with an updated Solargraph movement, back in early 2025, in part to mark its return as the official timekeeper of the top-level motor sport race series, they have yet to release a model with an orange color scheme. Well, they have now, and I’m here for it. (And if you haven’t read the great Jeff Stein’s in-depth story on the surprising origins of the Formula 1, I implore you to stop what you are doing and click here).
It’s with relief that we welcome the latest iteration of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph. It comes as a limited edition in two versions: one on a rubber strap, the other on a metal bracelet. The orange, grey, and red colorway is ostensibly a tribute to the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, a seaside track on the Dutch coast near Amsterdam. The race weekend, beginning August 21, will be the last Dutch Grand Prix—at least in its current iteration. Best known internationally via the Dutch national football team’s kit, orange is a beloved color in the Netherlands, tied to the Dutch Royal Family and the House of Orange-Nassau.
A TAG watch resplendent in orange (or oranje in Dutch) seems a fitting tribute to the final F1 race in the home country of Max Verstappen, the lead driver for Red Bull Racing – also sponsored by TAG Heuer.
The watch features an orange uni-directional timing bezel, orange chapter ring, and an orange rubber strap. If there is anything truly daring here, it’s the decision to use red as the accent color outlining the date window at 3 o’clock as well as the lume plots, dotting the chapter ring, dominating the hour and minute hands, while the lacquered seconds hand is all red. The TAG logo and the Formula 1 text are also in red.
Orange and red are not an obvious or natural combination. They are analogous colors sitting next to each other on the color wheel and aren’t complementary – at least by the traditional rules. However, both contrast smartly with the grey dial, and the bold combination works here. The default choice would have been blue, the natural contrast and complement to orange, and also a color used on the Dutch flag of red, white, and blue, a rather common combination for flags, to be sure.
Beyond the new color, this limited edition TAG Heuer Formula 1 is much like the rest. Housed in a 38mm diameter stainless steel case, it runs on the Solargraph movement – produced originally exclusively, but no longer exclusively, for TAG by its La Chaux-de-Fonds neighbor La Joux-Perret. The Solargraph represents the latest in mass-produced Swiss solar movement technology with a six to ten-month power reserve on a full charge. The movement can be charged for a full day’s use with just two minutes of light and needs less than 40 hours of sunlight for a complete charge.
There will be 1,500 pieces of the orange rubber strap version priced at $2,150. The bracelet version, which TAG says will be an online e-commerce exclusive, will be made in 1,000 pieces and priced at $2,250.
What We Think
This one is orange. Color preferences are, of course, highly subjective. Orange, on a watch, if done correctly, is the best shade out there, as far as I’m concerned. It’s both fun and tactically serious at the same time. It’s capable and fast, without being too earnest. It’s far superior to its rival, yellow, which, during medieval times, in some cultures, was considered the color of treachery and later cowardice. Orange is better. Full stop.
If you dig the TAG designer’s decision to use red for the hands and text, then this is likely your Formula 1 Solargraph, that is if you happen to be in the market for one, or have been considering picking one up. It’s fun, it’s compact, it’s got an F1 paddock full of heritage, and it’s entry-level priced for entré into the TAG Heuer catalogue. And, oh yes, did we mention it’s orange?
The Basics
Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Formula 1 Solargraph
Reference Number: WBY111H.FT8128 (rubber) WBY111L.BA0042 (bracelet)
Diameter: 38mm
Thickness: 9.9mm
Case Material: Steel
Dial Color: Grey
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Eggshell Super-LumiNova by day and green luminescence by night
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Orange rubber strap with pin buckle, stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp and adjustment link extension
The Movement
Caliber: Solargraph TH50-00
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power Reserve: Six to ten months on full charge
Winding: Solar quartz
Pricing & Availability
Price: $2,150 on rubber, $2,250 on bracelet
Availability: August, 2026
Limited Edition: Yes, 1,500 rubber, 1,000 on bracelet
For more, click here.
