To pay tribute to one of the most renowned Formula 1 champions and mark 25 years since his untimely death, Tag Heuer has launched two timepieces that celebrate Ayrton Senna by including design features reminiscent of his preferred watch style and love of his home country, Brazil. As much a legend in Tag Heuer’s past as in the sport of Formula 1 racing, Senna was the face of the avant-garde watchmaker’s first “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” campaign in 1991 a fitting role for a racer as ambitious, fearless and committed as the Brazilian driver.
This 25-year tribute edition features an engraving of Senna’s iconic helmet on its steel screw-down caseback and his name in white at 1 o’clock on the fixed polished black ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale. The Formula 1 Calibre 16 model is fitted with a sporty S-shaped bracelet, which Senna was personally fond of, and also features a driver’s extension to allow it to be worn over a racing suit. The limited-edition 44 mm timepiece exhibits a fierce racing style with a punch of red on the lacquered indexes, central seconds hand and counter hands. White subdial counters at 6 and 9 o’clock and a black subdial counter at 12 o’clock stand out from the anthracite sunray brushed dial. Powering this stainless-steel timepiece is the automatic-winding chronograph Calibre 16. These tributes to the distinguished driver combine daring design, innovative features and high-performance style – ideal for individuals who choose to live life in the fast lane.
The 45 mm Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T automatic chronograph features a matt black ceramic case and matching tachymeter bezel and is subtly accentuated by the yellow and green colours of the Brazilian flag. There is green stitching on the black rubber and leather strap and a yellow “S” for Senna on the chronograph counter. “SENNA” is written in yellow on the fixed black ceramic tachymeter bezel. A black tourbillon can be admired at the 6 o’clock position. A stylised yellow and green image of Senna in his instantly recognisable helmet is engraved on the sapphire crystal caseback, through which the powerful in-house COSC-certified manufacture Heuer 02T movement can be seen. This edition is limited to just 65 pieces, in recognition of the number of pole positions Senna racked up during his historic career.