TAG Heuer has been making watches since 1860. Like other storied watchmakers (think Rolex and Breitling), TAG Heuer watches are coveted by athletes and enthusiasts. The Switzerland-based brand was a hit among the racing circuit in the 1950s, and has since entered the world of celebrity in modern day, tagging Ryan Gosling as its brand ambassador.
Still, its watches have remained at the forefront of the racing scene and are set to take over Rolex’s role as the official watch sponsor for Formula 1 come 2025. For our 2024 Watch Guide, we chose Carrera Chronograph as our top pick. It's modern, elegant, and refined—a true standout from the LVMH-owned watchmaker, and that's saying something seeing as it offers a huge selection from smartwatches to dive watches to GMT watches.
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Carrera Chronograph is one of TAG Heuer’s most classic collections, and it’s on this model that fashion truly meets timeless style. The watch is simply beautiful. The leather strap and rose gold pair perfectly together, making it the type of timepiece that looks elegant anywhere it's worn. Here, modern design and over a century and a half of Swiss watchmaking show what they can do when thoughtfully worked together. The 42mm case is just on the large size, so it’s certain to make an impression wherever worn, but won’t dominate an entire outfit. The watch also falls about in the middle of price range when it comes to TAG Heuer pieces. One important note, at 42mm the watch face can look a bit large on those with narrower wrists.
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If you’re looking to make an impression, skeleton watches tend to do the trick, and this black-and-gold piece from the LVMH brand certainly does that and more. At its heart, this watch embodies the spirit of motorsport and luxury, creating something for those looking to stand out—which it certainly does with its 44mm case—even in the most dressed up situations. The ability to see inside the movement is always something special for enthusiasts, add in its robust size and it’s easy to see why it’s unique among TAG Heuer’s collection.
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As mentioned above, TAG Heuer is about to replace Rolex as Formula 1’s watch sponsor, but even before that, the watch brand has been dominating the F1 scene for the last few years as Red Bull (which the company sponsors) has taken home the Constructors' Championships. Of the variety of Formula 1 racing watches the brand produces, this 44mm, blue, silver, and orange piece blends both sport and elegance. It’s an energetic, dynamic, and bold chronograph that possesses an obvious need for speed and also tags its Formula 1 sponsorship in a tasteful manner just above the date box.
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TAG Heuer watches are best known for their relationship with the racetrack, but they also have a long history with the high seas that is best showcased across their Aquaracer collection. The Aquaracer Professional 300 also happens to be a beautiful GMT, with a distinctive (dare I say sexy) light blue GMT hand, that makes one complete rotation every 24 hours. At 42mm, it sits on just the right side of big, while its steel and ceramic case makes sure it can withstand even the most challenging waters.
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One of the nice things about TAG Heuer is when it comes to the luxury watch world, they can stay in the four-figure space and still deliver true luxury. The simple elegance delivered by their timepieces is at its most obvious with the Carrera Chronograph. This version is a revamped classic that features sporty upgrades, like hour and minute hands that glow in the dark. At 44mm, it certainly makes an impression, but if that’s what you’re looking for, this one certainly delivers that, along with some classic touches.
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If Ryan Gosling is wearing it in his latest blockbuster, you know it’s the celebrity go-to of the moment. Since taking over as the celebrity brand ambassador for the Switch watchmaker, the Fall Guy-star has sported a number of pieces across his flicks, but the latest beauty carries with it an impressive amount of timelessness. Reimagined from the reverse panda 2447 NS model, this version encapsulates the Carrera model’s classic design, but gives it a modern feel.
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With its bright orange face, the Aquaracer Professional 300 Orange Diver is basically unmissable, which may lead you to believe its anew idea or comes from some 90s idea. But, actually, it’s inspired by a historic model from 1979. The orange color is at the center of its construction (it is the color of safety, afterall), since it provides maximum contrast against the blue of the water.
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In a luxury watch world that often finds itself deep an the five or even six figure space, it’s borderline incredible to find a quality piece from a highly respected Swiss brand that’s under 2k, which is exactly what you get with this Tag Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph. It’s also a watch that still manages to make an impression with its 43mm case and bright orange rubber strap. And it should stand the test of time thanks to its brushed steel case and use of scratch-proof sapphire crystal.
TAG Heuer watches are known for their quality, craftsmanship, and precision, and manage to hold their value in many cases, but they’re not generally investment pieces you’ll see rise in value over time. While some consider them an entry-level luxury Swiss watch, a lot of what you’re looking for comes down to taste. The brand makes a variety of pieces that manage to span both the style and budget gamuts–you can spend anywhere from 1K to around 20K.
If you’re looking for something classic, go with a Carerra or a Monaco, which continue to remain at the center of their collection, thanks to their history with motorsports. If you’re desires are more inline with reasonable prices and a being a fan of modern auto racing, then the Formula 1 collection should be right up your alley.
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