Forged in the heat of high octane racing, the Formula 1 collection from TAG Heuer evokes the feeling of overtaking your opponent on the inside, or pulling in for a pitstop, anxiously waiting seconds before darting off again to attack the track. Originally making its debut in 1986, the Formula 1 collection made its debut shortly after Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) took over Heuer, and produced the collection during a time when quartz watches were considered the best that watchmaking had to offer. A collection that follows the zeitgeist, the Formula 1 in the 21st century represents much of what a modern entry level watch should be. This is further exemplified with the more recent collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment and its vintage inspired Formula 1.
With the Formula 1 collection, it seems only fitting that these modern collaborations continue, with the next evolution in the Mario Kart and TAG Heuer series – the Formula 1 x Mario Kart editions. This collaboration brings together the worlds of TAG Heuer and Nintendo, joined by their mutual love of racing and competition. This has resulted in two watches – the TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon.
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph is a twist on the classic version powered by the Calibre 16 mechanical chronograph movement. Housed in a generous 44mm case hewn from stainless steel, the bezel features an insert made of ceramic, engraved with a tachymeter that has “Mario Kart” engraved and filled with SuperLuminova for a bit of low-light pop. The start pusher and crown are encircled with red lacquer, and the crown also features Mario’s trademark ‘M’ found on his cap.
The dial sports a chequered pattern, much like the chequered flag signalling the end of a race, and Mario in his go-kart can also be found in the running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock. At 3 o’clock, the date can be found, however, the date wheel interchanges between fan favourite Mario Kart items, such as Bullet Bill, the Banana and the Star – and there is no doubt that there are plenty more to be seen by the lucky owners.
As mentioned previously, the watch is powered by a Calibre 16 mechanical movement, one that has served the brand and this collection very well for a number of years, and is protected by a solid stainless steel caseback with the silhouette of Mario in his go-kart. Limited to 3000 pieces, this piece is surely going to be a fan favourite of those who grew up with Nintendo.
A collision of the worlds of haute horlogerie and the frenetic nature of Mario Kart, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph Tourbillon brings a youthful energy to modern high-end watchmaking. In this version, we have a 45mm case made from Grade 5 Titanium – a grade that enables high-end finishing of the case that accepts brushed and polished finishes.
The bezel insert is in ceramic, displaying a tachymeter, and the Mario Kart logo that has been inlaid with SuperLuminova that glows in the dark in low light environments. Like its Calibre 16 powered brother, the start pusher and the crown are inlaid with red lacquer, and the crown has a M for Mario engraved into it. The dial is black with skeletonised elements, and red accents highlight the dial, giving it a more sporty nature.
At 6 o’clock, the tourbillon cage is visible through a cut-out in the dial that is surrounded by SuperLuminova – most curiously, the tourbillon cage has been redesigned to accommodate Mario in his go-kart, a Bullet Bill and a Spiny Shell, all of which make one revolution per minute. A sapphire crystal caseback is incorporated into the case, that is printed with the Mario Kart logo.
Housed within its titanium case is the in-house Calibre Heuer 02T movement, that has been COSC certified – unusual in the world of tourbillons, but a certification that guarantees its accuracy. On the reverse side is the rotor that is specially designed to feature Mario and Luigi in a kart, and Princess Daisy on her Mach Bike. A curious detail – the column wheel for the chronograph is coloured in red, further highlighting the sporty nature of the watch, as well as bringing further visual interest to the movement.
Limited to 250 pieces worldwide, it is sure to delight millennials who grew up with Mario Kart since the Super Nintendo days and who have also become watch aficionados.
Both watches are delivered on a black calf leather strap that is embossed with a pattern that looks to be a turtle shell – very much similar to the turtle shells fired from the karts as you chase down fellow racers. The deployant clasp is also engraved with Mario’s M, further tying this collaboration together to the Mario Kart universe.
The two watches will also be available from the 20th of October, at selected retail partners, TAG Heuer boutiques, and TAG Heuer e-commerce websites in select countries. Overall, both watches make for incredibly fun watches that do not take themselves seriously, that also bring new fans to the world of watchmaking through their mutual love of competition and racing.
Technical Specifications
TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph)
CAZ201E.FC6517
Movement
Calibre 16 Automatic
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Dial
Black dial, checkered pattern
Black flange with 60 second/minute scale 3 counters:
– 12 o’clock: black grained minute chronograph counter; rhodium-plated polished hand
– 6 o’clock: black grained hour chronograph counter; red lacquered hand
– 9 o’clock: black grained permanent second indicator; rhodium-plated polished hand
Rhodium-plated polished applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova® Rhodium-plated facetted, polished hour and minute hands with white Super-LumiNova®
Red lacquered central hand with white Super-LumiNova®
Angled date display at 3 o’clock
White TAG HEUER applied logo
FORMULA 1 CALIBRE 16 printed
Case
44 mm diameter
Polished and fine-brushed stainless-steel case Black ceramic polished tachymeter fixed bezel Flat sapphire crystal
Polished stainless-steel crown at 3 o’clock
Fine-brushed stainless-steel push-buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock Stainless-steel screwed case back with special engraving
Water resistance:
200 meters
Strap
Textured black calf skin strap with custom embossed pattern, red lining Fine-brushed steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons; special engraving
Availability
From October 2022
3’000 pieces
TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph Tourbillon) CAZ5080.FC6517
Movement
Calibre Heuer 02T COSC
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, tourbillon
Dial
Black opalin dial, with red lining
Black flange with 60 second/minute scale
3 counters:
– 3 o’clock: anthracite grained minute chronograph counter; black hand – 6 o’clock: black tourbillon with alternate finishing
– 9 o’clock: anthracite grained hour chronograph counter; black hand Black applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova®
Black facetted hour and minute hands with white Super-LumiNova® Red lacquered central hand with white Super-LumiNova®
White TAG HEUER applied logo
HEUER 02T CHRONOMETER printed
Case
45 mm diameter
Polished and fine-brushed titanium grade 5 case Black ceramic polished tachymeter fixed bezel Flat sapphire crystal
Polished stainless-steel crown at 3 o’clock
Fine-brushed stainless-steel push-buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock
Titanium grade 5 screwed sapphire case back with special engraving and numbered XXX/250
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap
Textured black calf skin strap with custom embossed pattern, red lining Fine-brushed titanium grade 5 folding clasp with double safety push -buttons; special engraving
Availability
From October 2022
250 pieces