The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →In April 2021, TAG Heuer’s Formula 1 collection got a brighter, more playful look: textured chronograph dials with orange or lime-yellow accents, plus a separate three-hand watch with a vivid orange dial. The launch report described four colourful variations, but did not identify them by model reference. Its details and Australian prices are historical, not a guide to current availability.
What changed in the 2021 Formula 1 collection?
Time+Tide’s 5 April 2021 launch report described the update as a return to the line’s quirkier early-1990s character. The chronograph dials have an asphalt-like grain and stippling, with orange or lime-yellow details on hands, markers and subdials, alongside blue minute markers. A separate three-hand model uses a vibrant orange dial with black applied markers. Time+Tide’s 2021 report is the source for these launch descriptions.
The report describes bracelet and nylon-strap chronographs as well as the orange three-hand watch. It does not give exact references for the four variants, so those configurations should not be assigned model codes based on later related watches.
How do the chronographs differ from the three-hand watch?
| Configuration | Dial and function | Strap or bracelet | Reported Australian launch price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronograph | Asphalt-like textured dial, orange or lime-yellow accents, blue minute markers; chronograph timing to one tenth of a second | Bracelet options and a nylon option were described | A$2,950 for chronographs on bracelets; A$2,750 for the chronograph on nylon |
| Three-hand | Vibrant orange dial with black applied markers; no chronograph function described | Not stated in the report | A$2,100 |
Prices are those reported for Australia on 5 April 2021, not current retail prices. The source does not break out the bracelet chronograph price by colour or provide an individual price for each of the four variations.
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#1 Best Overall
- Dial Color: Black, Case Shape: Round, Dial Glass Material: Sapphire Crystal
- Band Color: Silver, Band Material: Stainless Steel
- Watch Movement Type: SwissQuartz, Watch Display Type: Analog
- Case Material: Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel Bezel
- Warranty type:Manufacturer; 2 Years International Warranty
What specifications and fit details did the launch report give?
Time+Tide reported a 43 mm case diameter and 48 mm lug-to-lug length for the watches. It described Swiss-made quartz movements, screw-down crowns and 200 m water resistance, with the chronographs timing to one tenth of a second. These are launch specifications reported by the publication, not independent test results. The report also said the watches were not marketed as dive watches.
For the bracelet, the author noted angled lugs and an inverted end-link intended to help the bracelet drape. Nylon straps were stitched to evoke a racing harness. Those are design observations from the report, not a measured assessment of fit or comfort.
Rank #2
Are these the same as later TAG Heuer references?
Not necessarily. TAG Heuer’s 2022 official catalogue lists WAZ101A.FC8305 as a quartz Formula 1 with an orange textured dial, 43 mm case, 200 m water resistance and black nylon strap. It is a useful related reference, but the catalogue does not confirm that it is the exact orange three-hand watch in the 2021 report.
TAG Heuer’s US product pages also show related chronographs, not confirmed codes for all four 2021 variants. CAZ101AH.BA0842 is described as a 43 mm Formula 1 chronograph with an asphalt-pattern dial, orange accents and 200 m water resistance; the page marks it discontinued. CAZ101AM.FT8054 is described as a 43 mm quartz chronograph with a yellow dial and yellow rubber strap, one-tenth-second timing and 200 m water resistance.
What did the watches cost at launch?
The 2021 report gave Australian launch prices of A$2,950 for bracelet chronographs, A$2,750 for the nylon-strap chronograph and A$2,100 for the orange three-hand model. These figures are tied to Australia and the report’s publication date; they do not establish current pricing or stock in any region.
TAG Heuer’s US product page for CAZ101AH.BA0842 uses the vendor description, “The TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronograph is perfect 24/7, with its exciting asphalt-pattern dial contrasted by bold orange accents.” This is marketing copy for that related reference, not evidence that it is one of the four exact watches in the 2021 launch report.
Quick Recap
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- Featuring a Silver-tone Band, Silver-tone Case, Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal
- Automatic movement
- Anthracite dial
- Date display
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