Watches Our 2020 Year in Watches: Celebrating 160 Years of TAG Heuer

In 1860, TAG Heuer – known as Heuer at the time – was founded by Edouard Heuer in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. Over the past 160 years, much has changed, but the brand’s commitment to innovating and developing cutting-edge watchmaking creations has remained constant.

In 2020, it’s been a big year for TAG Heuer. And we don’t just mean ‘BIG’ in the way that anyone on Earth might expect, when reflecting on the wild ride that 2020 has been for all of us. This year, we celebrated our 160th Anniversary, and in the proper birthday spirit we’ve put together a curated list of a few of our bright spots (and shiny new releases) from the last year – moments that bring us more than a little pride and joy. Because whatever the weather, as this extraordinary year draws to a close and 2021 approaches over the horizon, it’s more important than ever to focus on some wonders worth celebrating… 

160 year anniversary Silver Edition TAG Heuer Carrera

One collection that has received special attention this year is the TAG Heuer Carrera line, which features our most elegant chronographs. Iconic timepieces since their introduction almost 60 years ago, the Carrera line has carried TAG Heuer’s racing heritage and daring spirit through the decades.

To kick off a year of tributes and celebrations, we released a TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition, of which only 1860 pieces were produced. Back in 1963, the first Heuer Carrera chronographs were released, inspired by the Carrera Panamericana, one of the most treacherous road races in the world. The renowned monochrome silver-dial model of 1964, with its three azurage counters and starburst silver-coloured dial, often referred to as “2447S”, was reintroduced in January with a modern twist. 

Learn more about the TAG Heuer Carrera Silver Edition

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Special Edition 2020

Released in February 2020, this special edition FORMULA 1 Chronograph was inspired by the same rich blue and striking red and yellow found on the new design for the 2020 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB16 Car.  For the second time in the history of its partnership with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, TAG Heuer unveiled a special edition timepiece that commemorated our on-going alliance with the championship-winning racing team. When it comes to triumphant partnerships in motor racing, TAG Heuer and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing set the pace. Working side by side since 2016, TAG Heuer and Aston Martin Red Bull (who’ve been the F1 drivers’ and constructors’ champion four years running, by the way) share a passion for action and a fearless ambition to overcome any challenge.

Learn more about the TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Red Bull Racing watch.

TAG Heuer Connected Watch

After pioneering the luxury connected watch world in 2015, TAG Heuer returned in March with a third generation of our visionary Connected timepiece that’s both a design statement and a tech-marvel. This TAG Heuer Connected combines elegance and craftsmanship with new high-tech features, for a customised physical and digital experience with incredible performance in mind. A unique union of chronograph-inspired timepieces crafted in the pure Swiss watchmaking tradition – and a state-of-the-art, custom-designed digital experience geared towards sporting excellence.

Learn more about the TAG Heuer Connected Watch. 

TAG Heuer Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique

This year, the Automobile Club de Monaco appointed TAG Heuer as official sponsor and timekeeper of the legendary Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. In celebration of our long-standing association with the Principality of Monaco, its motor-racing history and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, this May we introduced a limited-edition TAG Heuer Monaco timepiece as a tribute to the iconic race. The strikingly elegant and charismatic chronograph designed especially for the occasion features the signature red-and-white racing colour code; the silver car logo of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique sits at 1 o’clock, and the crimson brushed dial instantly links this special model to the historic race. In a limited edition of 1,000 pieces, each watch was engraved with a unique number and the words “One of 1000”.

Learn more about TAG Heuer x Monaco Grand Prix Historique

TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Heuer 02 chronograph

This Summer marked the arrival of a much-anticipated second collaboration between TAG Heuer and Fragment Design’s Hiroshi Fujiwara. Also known as the ‘Godfather of Streetwear’, Fujiwara contributed to the design of this remarkable collector’s item.  The TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Heuer 02 chronograph is a unique, motor-racing inspired limited edition of 500 pieces featuring a daring red sapphire case back, fitted with the outstanding Calibre Heuer 02 movement.  Building on the resounding success of our first creation with the Japanese designer and his Fragment Design label in 2018, the latest collaboration has resulted in a bold yet minimalistic design– a pure reflection of TAG Heuer’s motor-racing heritage and elegant design principles.  

Learn more about the TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Chronograph

TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition

In July, TAG Heuer presented a special edition of its third generation luxury  Connected watch specifically for passionate golfers, who want to take their game to the next level.  Building on the resounding success of the new TAG Heuer Connected, the special edition for golfers combines sporty elegance and the unparalleled functionality of the TAG Heuer Golf app within a custom-designed digital experience suited for any lifestyle.  Combining advanced watchmaking technology with a thirst for sporting excellence, TAG Heuer introduced this new addition to the Connected family for those with the green in mind.

Learn about the TAG Heuer Connected Golf watch. 

TAG Heuer 43 mm Formula 1 Indy 500, 2020 Special Edition chronograph

In celebration of the 104th Indianapolis 500, Tag Heuer released a limited edition racing-inspired Formula 1 timepiece in August. Created in honor of this “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” (and of TAG Heuer’s 16 years as the official Timekeeper of the NTT Indycar Series), this special-edition watch nods to our long-standing partnership with the premier league of open-wheel racing in North America, which also happens to be one of the oldest automobile races and part of the famous “Triple Crown”. The 43 mm Formula 1 Indy 500 2020 Special Edition chronograph signifies TAG Heuer’s passion for the intensity and spirit of motor racing, with rich, eye-catching red accents including a brick motif on the dial to honor the Indy racetrack’s nickname: “The Brickyard”. 

Learn more about TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Indy 500

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition 2020

This Autumn, TAG Heuer issued two versions of a commemorative timepiece, designed in tribute to the motor-racing legend Ayrton Senna, and his incredible impact on the sport. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition 2020 – one an automatic chronograph and one a quartz chronograph – we paid homage to TAG Heuer ambassador Ayrton Senna celebrated our partnership, which is still one of the most remarkable alliances in the sporting world. Over the course of his career, Senna redefined the word ‘drive’, breaking countless motor-racing records and lending new meaning to every superlative in the sport – not just the fastest, but also the bravest; one might even say ‘the greatest’. 

Learn more about TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Senna 

TAG Heuer x Bamford Watch Department Limited Edition Aquaracer

The latest co-creation between TAG Heuer and Bamford Watch Department is an exclusive Aquaracer timepiece equipped with the Calibre 5 Automatic movement and limited to 1,500 pieces. A new take on the ‘ultimate tool watch’, this Aquaracer features an eye-catching titanium case and bold orange details. A highly anticipated collaboration, this model blends Bamford Watch Department’s gift for reimagining design codes with TAG Heuer’s bold heritage.

Learn more about TAG Heuer Aquaracer x Bamford 

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition

On the occasion of the 88th birthday of Jack Heuer – great-grandson of the brand’s founder, former TAG Heuer CEO and current Honorary Chairman – TAG Heuer released a 188-piece limited edition of a redesigned vintage Heuer Carrera.  Paying tribute to Jack’s visionary contribution to the brand’s 160-year history, this watch commemorates his eighty-eighth year, a number symbolic of luck and eternity with its double infinity loop. This 18K rose gold edition of the recently-relaunched TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph was inspired by Jack’s favourite Heuer watch (the iconic vintage Heuer Carrera 1158CHN), and tells a very special story. 

Learn more about TAG Heuer Carrera Jack Heuer anniversary Limited Edition

The Edge Magazine

This December, TAG Heuer is delighted to announce the launch of our new online magazine for mavericks, THE EDGE.  Discover exclusive interviews and adventures with our extraordinary ambassadors, lifestyle guides from the cutting edge of culture, behind-the-scenes tours of TAG Heuer’s history and heritage, travel guides bringing the hottest destinations to your fingertips, and tips from the top with our unique Timekeepers series. Explore the rest of THE EDGE (read times are included for each article, letting you select which article to read before your boss comes back from that meeting) and get to know the spirit of TAG Heuer up-close and personal.

Our thanks to all the wonderful teams who’ve made these remarkable creations possible – for all the hard work and dedication, and the spirit of collaboration that made our 160th Anniversary one to remember. If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that nothing is certain. But as the saying goes, when nothing is sure… everything is possible. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year ahead, full of possibility.