From Ryan Gosling to Brad Pitt, Cara Delevingne to Chris Hemsworth, TAG Heuer have had their fair share of big names endorse their collections of luxury watches over the years. One name bigger than all is Ayrton Senna, and despite the Brazilian racer named a brand ambassador from 1988 until his untimely death in 1994, TAG Heuer continue to honour the incredible racer to this day. This year, it’s with the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna 2022 Special Edition watch.
At the age of four, Ayrton Senna was gifted his first go-kart which he would go on to win his first go-kart race several years later. Another decade past and this time he begins to secure victories on a more advanced course, debuting at Formula 1. He effortlessly dominated the sport, claiming all sixteen Grand Prix’s in 1988 and famously taking the chequered flag at the Austrian Grand Prix in 1991 securing his sixth victory of the season and winning the Formula 1 World Championship. During this time, Aryton Senna became a brand ambassador for Swiss watch manufacturer TAG Heuer and his love of their collections lasted all the way up to his death in 1994. Ever since, TAG Heuer has launched a special edition timepiece every year in his honour. While the 2021 TAG Heuer Senna watch opted for a bold yellow colour palette, the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna 2022 Special Edition elects a sporty red and black colourway taking inspiration from the company’s first Ayrton Senna-branded watch.
Starting with the case of the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna 2022 watch, and the familiar architecture of their sporty Formula 1 series returns. The 44mm wide brushed and polished stainless steel body features a fluid cushion-like shape with integrated lugs which blend beautifully into the signature bracelet. The bracelet has the iconic S-link set up with brushed finishing and a folding clasp with pilot’s extension. On top of the case, the special edition timepiece opts for a black ceramic insert fixed bezel decorated with a tachymeter scale in white. The scale goes up to the number 400 for 400mph, referencing the speed which has never been reached in a Formula 1 race. At 12 o’clock, the Senna logo is finished in red to match the accents on the crown and chronograph pushers on the right hand side of the case.
Continuing with the black and red theme of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna 2022 Special Edition watch is the dial. The centre elects an anthracite-coloured sunray brushed backdrop set with three recessed and snailed subsidiary dials. The dial at the top is for the 30 minutes chronograph counter while its parallel counterpart at 6 o’clock is for the 12 hours and comes decorated with a large red Senna logo at its centre. At 9 o’clock, the small seconds also features red detailing around its circumference to match the rest of the aesthetic. Other elements of the dial include applied rhodium-plated indexes and faceted hands for the hours and minutes adorned with an insert of Superluminova. The chronograph seconds hand remains simple in silver and features a special counterweight shaped like the TAG Heuer logo.
Powering the mass of complications on the dial of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna 2022 watch is the Calibre 16 automatic winding movement. It’s a Swiss made movement we’ve seen several times before in the brand’s vast portfolio, largely in their Carrera Chronograph range. It runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and promises a power reserve of 42 hours. Sadly, the intricate construction of the calibre is hidden from view but instead were treated to a stunning decorated screw down case back engraved with an image of Ayrton Senna wearing his racing helmet.
If you’d like to learn more about the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna 2022 Special Edition watch and secure one for one for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 44mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed with black ceramic tachymeter insert
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw down with Senna decoration
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Calibre 16 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, central chronograph seconds, 30 minute counter, 12 hour counter, date
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Anthracite sunray-brushed with snailed counters, red Senna logo and Superluminova hardware
- Strap: S-shaped link stainless steel bracelet
- Buckle: Folding with push buttons and pilot’s extension
- Limited Edition: No
- RRP: £2,850
