2019 marked the 25th anniversary of Formula one genius Ayrton Senna’s death. It was in Imola (San Marino) on May 1st, 1994 when the world stopped to witness the disappearance of Ayrton Senna. Formula one was never the same again. To end the anniversary year with a thoughtful tribute, Tag Heuer releases two new limited editions under the Ayrton Senna line. The two timepieces feature elements of design that should remind us of Ayrton Senna and the love of his home country, Brazil. Tag Heuer is deeply connected to car racing and Ayrton Senna was the face of the avant-garde watchmaker’s first “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” campaign in 1991. He was the perfect icon to start this campaign as he was known to be an ambitious, fearless and committed driver.
Created for Ayrton Senna fans, Formula One enthusiasts and watch aficionados, these limited-edition models illustrate TAG Heuer’s continued admiration of the illustrious driver and his lasting impact on the sport. The two models are:
- TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Ayrton Senna Special Edition 2019
- TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Ayrton Senna Special Edition 2019
Ayrton Senna, A Star Vanished too soon.
I will always remember that day on May
He made his Formula One debut with Toleman-Hart in 1984, before moving to Lotus-Renault the following year and winning six Grands Prix over the next three seasons. In 1988, he joined Frenchman Alain Prost at McLaren-Honda. Between them, they won all but one of the 16 Grands Prix that year, and Senna claimed his first World Championship. Prost claimed the championship in 1989, and Senna his second and third championships in 1990 and 1991. In 1992, the Williams-Renault combination began to dominate Formula One. Senna nonetheless managed to finish the 1993 season as runner-up, winning five races and negotiating a move to Williams in 1994. This last year was the last one for Ayrton Senna. He will always be remembered and never forgotten.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Ayrton Senna Special Edition 2019
The first tribute edition is the Tag Heuer Carrera automatic chronograph featuring a matt black ceramic case and matching tachymeter bezel and is subtly accentuated by the yellow and green
There is green stitching on the black rubber and leather strap and a yellow “S” for Senna on the chronograph counter. “SENNA” is written in yellow on the fixed black ceramic tachymeter bezel. A black tourbillon can be admired at the 6 o’clock position. A stylized yellow and green image of Senna in his instantly recognizable helmet is engraved on the sapphire crystal case-back, through which the powerful in-house COSC-certified manufacture Heuer 02T movement can be seen.
This edition is limited to just 65 pieces, in recognition of the number of pole positions Senna racked up during his historic career.
Movement
TAG Heuer automatic movement Calibre 16, diameter 30.4 mm, 25 jewels, balance oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 42-hour power reserve
Functions
Chronograph with seconds and minutes, date, chronograph minutes counter at 12 o’clock, chronograph hours counter at 6 o’clock, perpetual seconds counter at 9 o’clock, central chronograph seconds hand
Case
Diameter 44 mm, polished stainless steel, fine-brushed case, ceramic black polished tachymeter fixed bezel with “SENNA” engraving, sapphire crystal, polished stainless-steel crown at 3 o’clock and fine-brushed push buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock, water-resistant to 200 metres (20 bar), screwed stainless-steel caseback with special SENNA branding
Dial
Anthracite sunray brushed dial, white flange with 60-seconds/minute scale, two white counters at 6 and 9 o’clock, black rhodium-plated counter at 12 o’clock, red lacquered indexes and central hand, rhodium-plated hour and minute hands with white SuperLuminova®
Strap
Polished, fine-brushed stainless-steel bracelet and folding clasp with double safety feature and driving extension
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Ayrton Senna Special Edition 2019
The 45 mm TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T automatic chronograph features a matt black ceramic case and matching tachymeter bezel and is subtly accentuated by the yellow and green
“SENNA” is written in yellow on the fixed black ceramic tachymeter bezel. A black tourbillon can be admired at the 6 o’clock position. A
This edition is limited to just 65 pieces, in recognition of the number of pole positions Senna racked up during his historic career.
Movement
TAG Heuer Calibre Heuer 02T tourbillon manufacture movement, COSC-certified automatic tourbillon chronograph, diameter 31 mm, 33 jewels, balance oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 65-hour power reserve
Functions
Chronograph with hour and minute counters, tourbillon, hours, minutes and seconds
Case
Diameter 45 mm, black ceramic matt case and tachymeter fixed bezel with SENNA branding, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, black PVD steel and rubber crown, black PVD steel push buttons, black PVD steel screwed sapphire caseback with special SENNA branding, limited-edition number xx/65, water-resistant to 100 meters (10 bar)
Dial
Black opaline dial, black flange with 60-seconds/minute scale, rhodium-plated minute counter, rhodium-plated hour counter with yellow lacquered hand and “S” for SENNA branding, black tourbillon frame, rhodium-plated indexes and hands with white and yellow SuperLuminova®
Strap
Matt black calfskin rubber and leather strap, sand-blasted black titanium folding clasp
To conclude, these two watches are beautiful tributes to probably the greatest Formula one driver of all times. His race instincts, his determination and strength place him to the status of a legend. And as we all know, legends live for ever.
Arsène Wargas
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