Just a week after Watches & Wonders 2026, TAG Heuer expanded its Formula 1 collection with five new pastel-toned models.
This update comes a year after the relaunch of the Formula 1 series. Although the F1 model has always been positioned as an entry-level option, today TAG Heuer firmly holds its place as a luxury brand, and even the most accessible Formula 1 watches cost just under several thousand dollars. To some extent, you're paying for the TAG Heuer name; however, the modern Formula 1 is a significantly more advanced product compared to the original models from the 1980s. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph 38mm Pastel collection reflects the brand's luxury spirit through soft shades and the option of diamond dials.
Design and Mechanism Features
Unlike the 36mm format with regular quartz battery movements, such as the limited Formula 1 Kith released before the F1 Solargraph series, the five models in the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph Pastel collection are built on an enlarged 38mm case used in the F1 Solargraph. This means traditional quartz calibers with a battery are replaced by solar-powered movements made by La Joux-Perret. The original Formula 1 models from the 1980s were truly compact (even the "large" versions had a diameter of only 34mm), and the modern 38mm format successfully combines the wearability spirit of the 80s models with current contemporary standards.
Case Materials and Design
As in the original 2025 F1 Solargraph series (which we have covered in detail), the new models from the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph 38mm Pastel collection are available in stainless steel cases or TH-Polylight - a bio-polyamide plastic developed by TAG Heuer. The material difference only concerns the middle case, while the bezels of all five models are made of TH-Polylight in matching colors. All watches are equipped with flat sapphire crystals, stainless steel crowns, and solid screw-down case backs. Like the rest of the Solargraph series, the new pastel models are water-resistant up to 100 meters, and their bidirectional rotating bezels operate with a pleasant, precise action, which is especially notable for a predominantly plastic construction.
Limited Editions and Color Variants
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph 38mm Pastel collection includes three models with TH-Polylight cases and two with stainless steel, all limited in production. The three plastic versions are available in yellow (3,500 pieces), blue (3,000 pieces), and pink (2,500 pieces), each with a rubber strap matching the case color. The two steel models are available in green (1,500 pieces) and purple (1,000 pieces), both featuring steel bracelets. Additionally, the plastic versions have standard dial markings with luminescent indices, whereas the steel watches in the Pastel collection feature dials with diamond hour markers, emphasizing the more luxurious nature of this generally everyday series.
Caliber TH50-00 Movement: Features and Advantages
All five models are equipped with the solar quartz Caliber TH50-00 movement, produced for TAG Heuer by La Joux-Perret. Despite La Joux-Perret's Swiss origin, the company is owned by the Japanese Citizen group, and the solar charging technology is based on Citizen's popular Eco-Drive series. This collaboration can be seen as an advantage, as Citizen is an undisputed leader in the production of solar-powered watches. However, calling the Caliber TH50-00 simply a rebranded Citizen movement would be an oversimplification - it boasts enhanced technical specifications compared to the basic Eco-Drive.
Just as the automatic La Joux-Perret G100 movement is based on the Miyota 9000 architecture but enhanced with improved components, the Caliber TH50-00 surpasses the basic Eco-Drive in several parameters: a full charge occurs in less than two minutes in sunlight, and the power reserve is 10 months. It is also worth noting that LVMH (the owner of TAG Heuer) recently acquired a minority stake in La Joux-Perret, which confirms the high level of trust in the Swiss manufacturer, although the Caliber TH50-00 is not entirely an "in-house" development.
Market Positioning and Price
Today, TAG Heuer is a brand with high status, and even the most affordable models do not claim to be budget-friendly. In each category, you can find alternatives with similar characteristics at a lower price. For example, fans of solar sports watches with a plastic case can opt for the Timex Expedition Freedive Solar, which costs less than a pair of quality running shoes. Nevertheless, the Formula 1 Solargraph series watches feel significantly more solid compared to Timex or MoonSwatch, and despite the premium for the TAG Heuer name, the models pleasantly surprise with their build quality and fit on the wrist.
Despite the different production quantities, the three models with TH-Polylight cases are priced the same - $1950 USD each. The pair of steel watches with diamond dials is the most expensive in the Formula 1 Solargraph series and is priced at $2800 USD. On one hand, this is a significant sum for solar quartz watches, but on the other, it is a quite justified price for entry into the modern TAG Heuer catalog. The new pastel versions give the series a softer and more refined look, making the four-figure prices more acceptable.