TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph 38mm Gets A Very Orange Dutch Grand Prix Edition
TAG Heuer has given its Formula 1 Solargraph 38mm another colourful makeover, and this time it is going full Dutch. Created to celebrate the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, the new limited edition brings together a bright orange case and strap with a more restrained grey dial, making it one of the sportiest versions of the Solargraph yet.
The timing is deliberate. The Dutch Grand Prix will take place at Zandvoort from 21 to 23 August 2026, marking the final running of the event before it disappears from the Formula 1 calendar. Since its return in 2021, the race has become almost synonymous with the sea of orange supporters that descend on the circuit for Max Verstappen. TAG Heuer has clearly decided that if there was ever a Grand Prix that called for an orange watch, this was it.
Orange Is The New Black
After the softer pastel versions of the Formula 1 Solargraph introduced earlier this year, this latest edition is considerably more confident. The grey opaline dial provides a neutral background for the orange and red detailing, while the minute track and hands bring plenty of colour without turning the entire watch into an orange blob.
The indexes are filled with eggshell coloured Super LumiNova, while the familiar TAG Heuer shields appear at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. There is also a date display at 3 o’clock, keeping the dial layout practical and instantly recognisable as part of the Formula 1 family.
The 38mm case is particularly interesting. The size takes inspiration from the original Formula 1 watches launched in 1986, which were among the first watches released under the TAG Heuer name. It gives the Solargraph a compact, sporty profile without feeling overly small on the wrist.
The case itself is made from sandblasted stainless steel and is topped with TAG Heuer’s distinctive bidirectional bezel. Rather than conventional metal, the bezel is produced from TH Polylight, a lightweight and hard wearing composite material that has become a feature of the modern Formula 1 collection.
A flat sapphire crystal with anti reflective treatment protects the dial, while a screw down caseback and 100 metres of water resistance mean this is very much a watch designed to be worn rather than admired from behind glass.
Powered By Light
The Solargraph movement is arguably the most interesting part of the watch. Inside is TAG Heuer’s TH50 00 calibre, a solar powered movement designed to use both natural and artificial light to keep itself running.
According to TAG Heuer, just one minute of direct sunlight can provide enough energy for a full day of operation. Give the watch less than 40 hours of light and it can build up enough charge to run for as long as ten months in darkness.
Even if the watch does eventually stop, it does not require a lengthy session in the sun to get going again. Around ten seconds of light is enough to restart the movement, while the rechargeable accumulator is designed to last for up to 15 years.
For a watch that sits firmly in the quartz category, that is an impressively practical setup. There is no need for regular battery changes and, assuming you actually wear the thing, keeping it charged should be almost entirely effortless.
Credit - Tag Heuer
Credit - Tag Heuer
Two Versions To Choose From
TAG Heuer is offering the orange Formula 1 Solargraph in two different configurations.
The first comes on an orange rubber strap and is limited to 1,500 pieces. It has a steel pin buckle and is priced at £1,800.
The second is arguably the more interesting of the two. It swaps the rubber strap for a sandblasted stainless steel three link bracelet, complete with a folding clasp and double safety push buttons. Limited to just 1,000 pieces, this version is also an online exclusive and costs £1,900.
Considering the difference is only £100, the bracelet version looks particularly tempting. The rubber model arguably embraces the full Dutch Grand Prix aesthetic, but the steel bracelet should make the watch considerably more versatile once the race weekend is over.
Price And Specifications
• Model: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph 38mm
• References: WBY111H.FT8128 on rubber, WBY111L.BA0042 on bracelet
• Case: 38mm sandblasted stainless steel
• Bezel: Bidirectional TH Polylight
• Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with anti reflective treatment
• Dial: Grey opaline with orange and red detailing
• Movement: TAG Heuer TH50 00 Solargraph
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Water Resistance: 100 metres
• Strap: Orange rubber or sandblasted stainless steel bracelet
• Limited Edition: 1,500 pieces on rubber and 1,000 pieces on bracelet
• Price: £1,800 on rubber and £1,900 on bracelet
Winding Things Up
There is something rather fitting about TAG Heuer choosing the final Dutch Grand Prix as the excuse to make an unapologetically orange Formula 1. The colour scheme is fun, the 38mm case is wearable and the Solargraph movement offers considerably more convenience than the humble quartz movement its price might initially suggest.
The bigger question is whether £1,800 is starting to feel like a lot of money for a solar powered quartz watch. TAG Heuer is, of course, selling more than the movement. There is the Formula 1 heritage, the connection to Formula 1 itself, the Swiss brand name and the limited production run.
For fans of TAG Heuer and the Dutch Grand Prix, that combination could be enough. For everyone else, there are certainly some very capable watches available for considerably less money. Still, if you are going to make a watch to celebrate the final Dutch Grand Prix, subtle was never really going to cut it.
