SpotlightRacing In Technicolour: Presenting The TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith Collection

When it first released in 1986, the Formula 1 Series 1 collection was known for its cool colourways, appealing to a whole new generation of future collectors. It was also the first collection to display the acronym TAG along with Heuer, just a year after the watch brand was acquired by aviation and race car parts manufacturer Techniques d’Avant Garde. Following TAG Heuer’s historical revivals of their other collections—Carrera and Monaco—the brand now bring back the first colourful Formula 1 watches in collaboration with seasoned collector and streetwear fashion brand Kith founder Ronnie Fieg. What’s interesting is that the cases of the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith collection were created in the 1986 mould after the brand tracked down the original case manufacturer.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith: A Collector’s First

With a smaller case size of 35mm, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith collection of 10 timepieces are infinitely wearable. Ronnie Fieg, whose mother gave him the watch as his first luxury timepiece, says the colours inspired his collections that are popular worldwide. To make the collaboration more meaningful, new colourways are named after Kith store locations worldwide—New York (black), Tokyo (red), Toronto (yellow), Miami (beige), Hawaii (yellow, green, blue and red), Paris (steel, green bezel), and Los Angeles (steel, blue bezel). Sapphire crystal glass on the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith collection replaces the plastic crystal of the 1986 models, and the plastic strap makes way for a cool rubber one in hues of the dial for the sandblasted PVD-treated versions.

Shields Up: TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith

For the first time, TAG Heuer have merged their logo with that of a collaborator, and the brand’s shield symbol at 12 o’clock reads ‘Kith Heuer’. This is noteworthy because the original Formula 1 Series 1 was the first ever collection to showcase the re-branded TAG Heuer logo. Eight of the ten timepieces, including two references in steel, feature the words ‘Kith and Kin’ engraved at 12 on the case, while two black timepieces with blue and green bezels and matching straps are exclusive to TAG Heuer, and feature an engraved ‘Formula 1’ at six on the case.

Dials of the coloured, PVD-treated timepieces feature a vertically grooved stripe with a contrasting minute ring on the periphery. Shield markers at cardinal points and dot markers are marked with eggshell-hued Super-LumiNova, and a date window sits at three.

Dials of the coloured, PVD-treated timepieces in the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith collection feature a vertically grooved stripe

The closed caseback features the limited edition number, the watch's water resistance rating of 200 metres, and branding for the revived collection

While the Formula 1 Series 1 watches are known to have inspired a generation of collectors, the revived TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Kith series may be more than just an icon to reminisce over. As a first watch to fall in love with, the collection is very likely to inspire a whole new generation of watch enthusiasts.