As summer approaches the Northern Hemisphere, TAG Heuer has injected a bit of pastel fun into their Formula One line!
While it’s getting a touch colder down here in Australia, things are beginning to heat up in Switzerland. Not only has Watches & Wonders 2026 come and gone, but summer is fast approaching in the Northern Hemisphere. With that, watch brands are preparing to have a bit of fun in the sun.
However, none may be preparing in quite the same manner as TAG Heuer. While they stunned at the world’s biggest watch festival, it seems the Swiss brand isn’t content to keep the engine idle. Thus, they’ve just unveiled a brand new set of Formula One watches in a series of cool pastel colours.
The new release expands upon the 38mm Formula One collection introduced last year, itself a remaster of the 1986 originals. Offered in five limited-editions, they bring back the vibrant colour patterns that once defined the line’s design language.
A Refreshing Silhouette
All models in the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph pastel range share the same case dimensions as their earlier counterparts. At 38mm in diameter, 45.2mm lug-to-lug, and just 9.9mm thick, they offer a versatile and contemporary wrist presence. Two case constructions are available: two references are encased in sandblasted steel, while the other three are made from TAG Heuer’s proprietary TH-Polylight material.
Lightweight and vibrant, this innovative material serves as the perfect canvas for colourful expression. Each watch is equipped with a flat sapphire crystal, a screw-down steel case back, and 100m of water resistance. The bidirectional bezel, also rendered in TH-Polylight, features colour-matched 60-second/minute scales that reinforce the sport-casual origins of the Formula One collection.
In terms of wearability, the sandblasted steel versions are fitted with a standard three-row bracelet, secured by a folding clasp with a small extension system. The Polylight references instead come with colour-matched rubber straps on a steel pin buckle, further reinforcing the playful character of each piece.
Brighten The Day
The pastel collection reinterprets TAG Heuer’s Formula 1 design codes through a refined chromatic approach. Soft dial tones of green and lavender are available for the steel-cased models, while pale pink, beige, and blue define the Polylight watches. Featuring opaline finishes, they are paired with minute tracks that either complement or contrast for maximum expressiveness.
Signature Formula 1 elements remain present throughout the collection. Shield-shaped applied indexes, Mercedes-style hour hands, and a colour-matched seconds hand help distinguish each model. All hands and indexes are treated with Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility in low-light conditions, emitting a green glow at night. If you’re opting for the steel blue or green models, you’ll also find diamond-set indexes, adding a refined layer of contrast and a subtle sparkle within the sporty foundation of the collection.
All Of The Lights
At the heart of the range is the Calibre TH50-00 Solargraph movement, a light-powered quartz system designed for long-term autonomy and minimal maintenance. When exposed to light, the movement converts it into stored energy that powers the watch continuously. It’s a common misconception that only sunlight powers the watch, but the TH50-00 is photovoltaic. Both natural and artificial light will work, although the sun remains the most effective source.
Just one minute in direct sunlight provides enough energy for approximately a full day of operation. A full charge, achieved in under 40 hours of light exposure, delivers up to ten months of autonomy in complete darkness. Even after the watch stops, it can be reactivated with as little as ten seconds of light exposure. The integrated energy accumulator is engineered for long-term durability, with an estimated lifespan of up to 15 years, reinforcing the collection’s emphasis on reliability and sustainability-driven innovation.
Initial Thoughts
With the fireworks of Watches & Wonders 2026 finally dying down, you might expect brands to take a moment to breathe. That doesn’t seem to be the case for TAG Heuer, as evidenced by this fresh and energetic collection of Formula One pastel timepieces.
When the original Formula One silhouette returned, I was already excited. It felt like a much-loved capsule of TAG Heuer’s heritage was coming back, now paired with the modern technology that has helped define its contemporary appeal. By merging motorsport heritage with a softer, more expressive aesthetic, TAG Heuer preserves the collection’s core values of performance and precision while showing it can still have a bit of fun along the way. So, as heaters in the north are swapped for air conditioning, TAG Heuer’s summer is in full effect with the Formula One collection: pretty in pastel and effortlessly retro-cool.
References:
Diamond Dials: WBY111B.BA0042 (Green) / WBY111C.BA0042 (Lavender)
Polylight Case: WBY1163.FT8113 (Blue) / WBY1164.FT8114 (Beige) / WBY1165.FT8115 (Pink)
Specifications:
| Dimensions | 38mm case diameter x 45.2mm lug-to-lug x 9.9mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel / Coloured Polylight |
| Dial | Pastel green / lavender / blue / beige / pink with white accents |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Closed |
| Movement | Solarquartz TH50-00 with date complication |
| Water Resistance | 100m / 10bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Steel bracelet with folding clasp / colour-matched rubber strap with steel pin buckle |