TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Gulf: Racing Colours on The Dial

Light blue and orange are enough to evoke a connection to motor racing, even from a great distance. On the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf, these colours are therefore far more than just a piece of partnership history: they give structure to the densely detailed dial and translate what was once a functional identification system into the design of a modern mechanical chronograph.

Colours that had to work from a distance

The distinctive Gulf colours were not chosen at random or on a whim; back then, the racing cars needed to remain easily identifiable even in hot weather, at high speeds and from a distance. Light blue and orange thus initially served a very practical purpose: they made a racing car easily recognisable even under difficult conditions. Particularly in endurance racing, especially at Le Mans, where cars repeatedly pass the same sections of the circuit over many hours, this colour combination therefore became a firmly established visual code.

The partnership between TAG Heuer and Gulf Oil has been established in motorsport for over 20 years. The Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf, unveiled on 29 June 2026, continues this relationship as the fourth joint Formula 1 edition with the oil brand. However, the focus of this launch is less on the partnership itself and more on the extent to which the Gulf colour scheme has been integrated into the watch’s design this time round.

A race pattern becomes the dial design

Vertical stripes in light blue and orange run across the black opaline dial. A light blue minute track frames the dial; the black bezel is complemented by blue and orange markings. This creates several layers: the stripes provide instant recognition, whilst the dark background ties the displays together. Three black sub-dials organise the chronograph functions: at 12 o’clock, a counter measures up to 30 minutes; at 6 o’clock, up to twelve hours, with both featuring orange hands. The small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, with its light blue hand, adds a deliberate colour accent in the Gulf style. These are complemented by the central orange chronograph hand and the date display at 3 o’clock.

Controlled restlessness rather than minimalist clarity

The dial brings together numerous displays and design elements: three sub-dials, the date, the tachymeter scale, hands, applied hour markers and the vertical Gulf stripes. The fact that the watch does not become cluttered is largely due to its division into clearly distinguishable layers. The black sub-dials house the chronograph functions, whilst the rhodium-plated and polished hour markers, along with the hour and minute hands, set the time display apart from them. White Super-LumiNova further ensures that this clarity is maintained even in the dark.

Yet the dial does not appear calm, and this is precisely where a significant part of its character lies. The coloured stripes disrupt the order of the displays without compromising their function or legibility. This creates a deliberately dense, visually restless overall appearance, whilst the clear separation of functions ensures that it remains easy to read.

Titanium and carbon are replacing retro nostalgia

With a diameter of 44 mm and a case thickness of 14.5 mm, the Formula 1 is clearly designed to make a statement. Whilst the sandblasted Grade 2 titanium reduces the weight of the case compared to a similar steel construction, it does nothing to diminish its imposing presence on the wrist. This is precisely why the orange ring beneath the bezel is more than just a detail in the Gulf design: it clearly separates the various levels of the case from one another and consistently extends the watch’s colour scheme right through to the side view.

The bezel is crafted from forged carbon. Its irregular fibre structure gives each bezel a slightly different appearance, whilst the tachymeter scale and ‘Gulf’ lettering establish a functional link to motorsport. Black, DLC-coated titanium pushers and the crown – also coated in black with orange details – carry this material theme through to the controls. Flat, anti-reflective sapphire crystal covers the front, whilst the screw-down titanium caseback, featuring the Gulf logo, adorns the rear.

Mechanically reliable, designed for everyday use

The Formula 1 x Gulf is also ideally suited for everyday use, thanks in part to its water resistance of 200 metres. The three-row, sandblasted titanium bracelet echoes the choice of material for the case, and its titanium folding clasp is fitted with double safety push-buttons and an extension. Inside, the tried-and-tested automatic Calibre 16 operates with a 48-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 hertz. The movement is housed in a 44 mm wide and 14.5 mm high case with a lug-to-lug measurement of 47.3 mm. The reference CBZ208B.BF0009 is limited to 1,000 pieces, costs 6,300 euros and will be available from 3 July 2026.

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