Historically Tag Heuer are connected to many parts of the motor sport industry but today they’re focussing on a legend from F1’s past, Ayrton Senna, whose death stunned the world 30 years ago. In honour of the anniversary of his passing and in celebration of his life, Tag Heuer have collaborated with the Senna brand to produce the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna.
The watch is being launched to coincide with a new Netflix series on Senna’s life, a semi-fictional biopic, which airs on November 29th. The series will feature many vintage Tag Heuers because Senna was a Tag Heuer ambassador in his life, much as Verstappen is today, and wore a Tag Heuer S/el with a / 100th second Chronograph. It therefore makes sense that Tag Heuer continue to celebrate his legacy with commemorative timepieces.
This latest piece is a 44mm diameter sports watch in titanium with a forged carbon tachymeter bezel that measures speeds up to 400km/h – the fastest recorded F1 speed being 374.97km/h (233mph) on a long straight. The bezel also features an inscription of Senna’s name and logo in vibrant yellow, which paired with the green seconds scale and blue minute scale around the edge of the dial make up the colours of the Brazilian flag, Senna’s home country.
Zooming in on the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna dial shows an openworked display with a tricompax chronograph layout. At 9 o’clock is a 12-hour counter with the Senna S logo, at 3 o’clock is a 30-minute timer and at 6 is the titular tourbillon. Below the skeletal bridges is a black plate with alternating graining in a checked pattern reminiscent of the checkered flag of a race. It really hammers home the motorsport theme of the piece as well as celebrating Senna’s three world championships.
The commemoration continues on the caseback with an image of Senna in his classic helmet. Through the transparent portions of the image you can see the Tag Heuer TH20-09 movement inside, an automatic movement with a 65-hour power reserve and column wheel chronograph.
Only 500 pieces of the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna are being produced at a price of £33,050, so it’s definitely a collectors’ piece. But whether you’re a wristwatch lover or racing enthusiast, there’s plenty to admire here. I particularly like the grained finish, which makes the watch stand out from the rest of the extensive Carrera range.
Price and Specs:
More details at Tag Heuer.
