Tag Heuer’s New Gulf Chronograph Isn’t Trying to Be Subtle

Some clocks whisper. It has racing stripes.

TAG Heuer has revealed its new Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf, a limited-edition piece that takes Gulf Oil’s famous blue and orange motorsport livery and runs it straight onto the dial.

It is not delicate. It is not shy. This is not one of those watches that is designed to disappear under the cuff and behave on its own at dinner.

This is a 44mm titanium chronograph The forged carbon tachymeter bezel, orange accents, black DLC details and ample motorsport energy make the whole thing feel like it should come with pit lane access.

Only 1,000 pieces will be made, with pricing set at $6,300 (~$9,200 AUD) and availability starting July 3, 2026.

The Formula 1 line has always been one of TAG Heuer’s more accessible links to racing culture, but this Gulf Edition gives it an even stronger visual punch.

Connected: TAG Heuer turns the Monaco into a 12-cylinder watch

Gulf Colors still does the heavy lifting

The reason it works will become clear when you see it. The blue and orange livery of Gulf is one of the great liveries in motor racing. It’s all about Le Mans, Porsche 917s, Steve McQueen and the kind of endurance racing imagery that still makes watch brands and car people go weak in the knees.

TAG Heuer could have played it safe and painted the second Monaco. Instead, it has dropped them on Formula 1 Automatic Chronographs, which makes the whole thing look more modern and more aggressive.

The bay stripes run down the right side of the black opaline dial, intersecting the layout and even penetrating the date window. This gives the watch a sense of the movement even before the chronograph starts.

The subdials bring more orange into the mix, the moving seconds hand picks up the Gulf blue, and the lacquer chapter ring ties the whole thing together. There’s a lot going on, but that’s part of the appeal.

Formula 1 is not exactly known for visual restraint.

Connected: TAG Heuer recently launched the Formula 1 Solargraph in five pastel colors, and they’re surprisingly wearable

Built like a modern racing watch

The case is made from Grade 2 titanium, which keeps the large 44mm size from feeling too heavy on paper. The forged carbon bezel adds a rugged technical edge, while the black DLC-coated pushers and crown give it a tougher, more mechanical look.

It also has reasonable usability specifications. The caliber 16 automatic movement gives it a 48-hour power reserve, while the case is water resistant to 200 meters.

The titanium bracelet continues the lightweight theme and gives the watch a more serious feel than the rubber strap.

This is where TAG Heuer gets the balance right. The colors of the bay bring back old memories. The material keeps it from feeling like a retro outfit.

It is not trying to recreate the past exactly. It’s taking a very famous racing look and stretching it into a more technical Formula 1 shape.

That won’t be for everyone. Some collectors will always prefer clean Gulf Monacos, mostly because the McQueen connection is impossible to beat. Others may find this new Formula 1 too busy, too big or clearly designed to be shouted from across the room.

Fair enough. But subtlety was never really the issue here.

The Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf is for those who want the racing context to be clear, the colors to talk and the watch to feel more paddock than boardroom.

It’s big, bright, limited and very Tag Heuer. Sometimes that’s all it takes.