Introducing – TAG Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen 2017 Limited Edition

Before you burn me on the stakes, yes, I am well aware this is a quartz watch and we very rarely cover these. This time I am being chauvinistic and taking a break from our self-implied guidelines to bring you a watch for the simple reason it is linked to a young Dutch hero to many of my fellow countrymen, and a rising Formula 1 star; Max Verstappen. Launched in Amsterdam just days ago, here is our hands-on report of the new Tag Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen Limited Edition.

The youngster needs no introduction, neither does the Tag Heuer Formula 1 collection. After all, the brand is thoroughly embedded in the history of the sport as the official timing partner for years, and Max has already debuted as a brand ambassador for Tag Heuer with his orange strapped (and very Dutch looking) Tag Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen Special Edition introduced last year. For a few years now the brand has also been the official engine supplier for Red Bull Racing too, although this is solely a marketing exercise since behind the name the engines are simply rebadged Renault engines. As is the case with Formula 1 cars, each year brings a slightly different car to the grid, depending on the changes in the rules and new innovations. You can argue the same thing applies to the new Tag Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen 2017 Limited Edition.

It’s the same model, the same design elements, but with a few minor new touches to set it apart from the previous Special Edition. The biggest change is the update in color, where the orange has been exchanged for bright red in a hint towards his helmet design. Last year he wore a mostly orange colored design, which he replaced with a red based helmet for 2017, and the watch now matches that. Not entirely coincidental I guess, but now the watch is dominated by red-white-and-blue which are the colors in our Nation’s flag (not only the USA uses the red-white-and-blue color scheme of course) instead of our national color of orange.

Other elements revolve around his love for a specific number, in Max’s case his personal lucky number is 3. Formula 1 drivers are notorious for being a little superstitious, especially when it comes to their racing numbers. Max chose 33 as his teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, already selected that number, but Max has “grown into it” as he mentioned. The watch will be produced in a limited run of 533 pieces and is named the No.33. The dial is fitted with a red and white flange with a 60 second/minute scale where the red section runs up to 33, and the number is also engraved on the solid caseback.

The Tag Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen 2017 Limited Edition is fitted with a quartz chronograph movement, as was the previous one. I would rather have seen that they upgraded to an automatic watch, as the Formula 1 collection also features these, or perhaps do something with the Tag Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 Red Bull Racing Special Edition. But, in all honesty, from a marketing standpoint, I guess the use of the quartz powered Formula 1 model makes more sense. It keeps the price down a bit, so youngsters or people that do not care about the choice of movement can afford it a little bit easier – retail price is 1,350 Euro. The steel case measures 43mm in diameter and is fitted with a blue dial with three white subdials and lots of red details. It is attached on a super comfy and sturdy bright red, perforated rubber strap with a pin buckle. For more information, visit TagHeuer.com.

Technical Specifications – TAG Heuer Formula 1 No.33 Max Verstappen 2017 Limited Edition

• Case: 43mm stainless steel – steel chronograph pushers – blue aluminum tachymeter bezel – knurled crown with crown guards – engraved, closed caseback
• Dial: Opaline blue dial – white sub-dials – small running seconds’ counter – 30-minute and 10-hour chronograph counters –  red details throughout – 60 seconds/minute flange – date window –
• Movement: Quartz Chronograph movement
• Strap: perforated red rubber strap with brushed steel pin buckle and Tag Heuer engraving
• Price: 1,350 Euro – Limited to 533 pieces – available from September and in the Netherlands only