Becoming increasingly rare and all the more collectable, these early and certainly vibrant variations of the Formula 1 model carry a distinct wave of nostalgia amongst many collectors. Often individuals in the ‘˜80s and ‘˜90s would purchase a TAG Heuer as their first ‘˜proper watch’- in this period TAG Heuer were marketing desirable, sporty designs at more affordable prices. Pieces such as this incredible Formula 1 are therefore affectionately remembered as essential pieces which opened the gateway to a lifetime of watch collecting.
This particular CA1214 orange model first appeared in the 1998 Formula 1 catalogue alongside an array of alternative vibrant models including blue, red, yellow, black and grey. Having remained unchanged for 12 years, the design of the Formula 1 model had changed drastically in this second series, highlighted by the minute scale on its outer-edge of the dial and the switch to triangular hands for both the time and Chronograph hands.
The era of these affordable Formula 1 models came to an end in 2000 when the new LVMH management decided to take the Heuer brand up-market, concentrating on the manufacture of mechanical movements as opposed to quartz. Nevertheless the TAG Heuer Formula 1 was an ambitious attempt to establish the Heuer name in the emerging sports watch market of the ‘˜90s, remembered fondly by many to this day.