TAG Heuer returns as Formula 1's Official Timekeeper with a 'We Are Back' display above the starting grid.
Sports

TAG Heuer Returns As Official Timekeeper for Formula 1

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Share via

Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.

  • TAG Heuer has officially returned as Formula 1’s Official Timekeeper, marking a new chapter in a partnership that spans more than 55 years.
  • The Swiss watchmaker’s Formula 1 legacy includes 239 race wins, 613 podium finishes, 11 Constructors’ Championships, and 15 Drivers’ Championships through its partnerships with leading teams.
  • TAG Heuer’s connection to Formula 1 dates back to the 1970s, when Jack Heuer helped establish one of the first partnerships between a luxury watch brand and a Formula 1 team.
  • The return comes as Formula 1 celebrates its 75th anniversary, with TAG Heuer rejoining the sport as part of LVMH’s landmark 10-year partnership.

Get ready, motorsport fans — TAG Heuer is back where it belongs, stepping up as the Official Timekeeper for Formula 1. After 55 years in the history books, the Swiss watchmaker is reclaiming its role at the heart of F1. It all started when TAG Heuer first appeared on the hood of Jo Siffert’s Lotus 49B, and now, the true king of the track is back in action.

It’s been over twenty years since TAG Heuer made the surprising decision to step back from timekeeping, but the sport’s worst-kept secret is finally out. Just a few months ago, TAG Heuer’s parent company, LVMH, signed an extraordinary 10-year sponsorship deal with F1, shaking up the motorsport world by ending Rolex’s long reign. The partnership not only signals a major shift in sponsorships but also brings TAG Heuer back into the fold, alongside other LVMH brands such as Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy. While it was obvious TAG Heuer’s return was imminent, the official announcement on January 1st confirmed the news.

So, buckle up — this legendary partnership is about to take excitement to a whole new level on the F1 track.

Jack Heuer, in the middle, pictured here with the Ferrari team in the 1970s
Jack Heuer, in the middle, pictured here with the Ferrari team in the 1970s | Image: TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer Reclaims Its Place in Formula 1

You have to look back at TAG Heuer’s story with Formula 1, which started way before sponsorship deals and digital timing boards became part of the modern Grand Prix as we know it today. The Swiss watchmaker first entered the paddock through its association with Jo Siffert and Lotus, becoming one of the earliest luxury brands to establish its presence in the sport.

Decades later, that relationship has stretched across racing, championship battles, and some of Formula 1’s most memorable eras. Throughout Formula 1’s history, TAG Heuer remained a familiar sight around the circuit. From the thunder of naturally aspirated engines to today’s highly sophisticated machines, the brand has been there for many of the moments that helped shape the championship and the drivers who defined it forever.

The pioneering Le Mans Centigraph was developed by Heuer in 1971.
The pioneering Le Mans Centigraph, developed by Heuer in 1971 was the first timing system capable of displaying times to precision of 1/1000th of a Second | Image: TAG Heuer
Jack Heuer (L), Niki Lauda (Centre) and Clay Regazzoni (R) visiting the Heuer workshops in Biel in the 1970s
Jack Heuer (L), Niki Lauda (Centre) and Clay Regazzoni (R) visiting the Heuer workshops in Biel in the 1970s | Image: TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer is back as Formula 1’s Official Timekeeper for the 2025 season, picking up where a long partnership left off. With that, Formula 1 is starting a new chapter with LVMH, TAG Heuer’s return fits a sport that honours both tradition and progress.

TAG Heuer CEO Frédéric Arnault shared his thoughts on the announcement:

Formula 1 and TAG Heuer share a passion for performance, precision, and pushing the limits. We are thrilled to be back in the heart of the action, where every second counts, and to bring our legacy of timing excellence to a new generation of fans.

For many fans, TAG Heuer’s relationship with Formula 1 is about more than just logos or sponsorships—it’s the name tied to winning teams, drivers, and the best moments in motorsport history that fans will remember, as it brings back memories that last well over fifty years.

As a new season begins, TAG Heuer once again finds itself at the centre of a sport where tiny differences can change everything. In Formula 1, races, championships, and careers can be decided in a moment, making the watchmaker’s return feel like a perfect reunion between two names whose histories have long been connected.

Jack Heuer Holding Microsplit.
Jack Heuer Holding Microsplit | Image: TAG Heuer

A Legacy Measured in Seconds

TAG Heuer’s connection to Formula 1 goes far beyond its role as the sport’s official timekeeper. As Formula 1 celebrates the 75th anniversary of its first Drivers’ Championship in 2025, few brands are better placed to be part of that milestone. Over the decades, TAG Heuer has become woven into the fabric of the sport, from watch collections inspired by famous circuits and races to its logo appearing on some of Formula 1’s most iconic cars. For many fans, TAG Heuer and Formula 1 have become almost inseparable, thanks in large part to Jack Heuer’s vision.

Back in the 1970s, Jack Heuer helped change the relationship between motorsport and watchmaking by creating what is widely regarded as the first partnership between a luxury watch brand and a Formula 1 team, Ferrari. The collaboration led to the development of the Le Mans Centigraph, a timing device designed to monitor the performance of Ferrari’s drivers and cars at the team’s dedicated testing facility. What began as an innovative partnership soon evolved into one of motorsport’s most enduring success stories.

As Formula 1 has grown, so has TAG Heuer’s role in the sport. The brand has worked with top teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and Oracle Red Bull Racing, and has been part of many victories and championship celebrations.

Though its partnerships in Formula 1, TAG Heuer has been part of 239 race wins, 613 podium finishes, 9,471 championship points, 11 Constructors’ Championships, and 15 Drivers’ Championships. Not many brands can match this record, so TAG Heuer’s return as Formula 1’s Official Timekeeper feels like a natural step in a relationship that has influenced both racing and watchmaking for generations.

With so much history between them, TAG Heuer’s return as Formula 1’s Official Timekeeper feels more like the next step than a brand new beginning. Over the years, few brands have been as closely tied to the sport, so this reunion is especially meaningful as Formula 1 marks its 75th anniversary. From working with championship teams to being present at some of the sport’s most memorable moments, TAG Heuer has always been part of the story.

Welcoming the watchmaker back to the sport, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said:

I am delighted to welcome TAG Heuer as the official timekeeper of Formula 1 as they start the next stage of their long history in our sport. With their focus on innovation, accuracy, and excellence, they are a natural partner, and I am excited to see how our intertwining heritage can tell new stories for the future as we celebrate our 75th year.

TAG HeuerF1
About the Author

Related Articles

OMEGA Celebrates One Year to Go for the Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026
Watches

OMEGA Marks the Official ‘One Year to Go’ with the Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.

  • Swiss watchmaker OMEGA has unveiled the Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 to mark one year until the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
  • Crafted from 18K Moonshine™ Gold, the 37 mm timepiece features a white Grand Feu enamel dial, diamond-polished Dauphine hands, and sculpted gold hour markers.
  • Powering the watch is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8807, which delivers a 55-hour power reserve, exceptional precision, and resistance to magnetic fields.
  • The sapphire crystal caseback displays the official Milano Cortina 2026 medallion, while the hexagonal crown pays tribute to historic Olympic Seamaster models.
  • The OMEGA Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 is paired with a brown alligator leather strap and is now available for USD $23,000.

For more than 90 years, OMEGA has created luxury timepieces that have measured some of the greatest moments in sport, earning its place as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932. From record-breaking finishes to photo-finish victories decided by fractions of a second, the Swiss watchmaker has built a legacy of precision, innovation, and craftsmanship on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

With the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 now just one year away, OMEGA is marking the occasion with the unveiling of the new OMEGA Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026. Crafted in 18K Moonshine™ Gold, the latest luxury watch combines the timeless character of vintage Seamaster models with modern Swiss watchmaking, creating a commemorative timepiece that celebrates both OMEGA’s Olympic heritage and the countdown to next year’s Winter Games.

OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 Ref. 522.53.37.20.04.001
OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 Ref. 522.53.37.20.04.001 | Image: Supplied / OMEGA

OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026

  • Brand: OMEGA
  • Model: Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026
  • Reference: 522.53.37.20.04.001
  • Diameter: 37 mm
  • Thickness: 11. 35 mm
  • Case Material: Moonshine™ Gold
  • Calibre: OMEGA 8807
  • Power Reserve: 55 Hours
  • Water-Resistance: 10 Bars (100 metres, 330 feet)
  • Price: USD $23,000

From February 6 to 22, 2026, the world’s best winter athletes will come together in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and other locations across northern Italy to compete for Olympic gold. Every race, jump, and finish will be timed with precision, whether it’s split-second timing in speed skating, the challenge of the biathlon, or the breathtaking speeds reached in bobsleigh. Having served as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, the Swiss watchmaker has spent decades ensuring that every fraction of a second is recorded accurately. For OMEGA, those decisive moments are nothing new.

The new OMEGA Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 celebrates that enduring relationship while embracing a noticeably more refined direction. Housed in a beautifully proportioned 37 mm case crafted from 18K Moonshine™ Gold, the watch pairs a pristine Grand Feu enamel dial with diamond-polished dauphine hands and sculpted gold hour markers. Rather than leaning into the bold styling often associated with sports watches, OMEGA has created something far more timeless. It carries the elegance of a classic dress watch while remaining unmistakably a Seamaster, offering the craftsmanship, reliability, and precision collectors have come to expect from a brand whose timepieces have accompanied explorers beneath the ocean, astronauts into space, and athletes onto the world’s biggest sporting stage.

OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 Ref. 522.53.37.20.04.001
OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 | Image: Supplied / OMEGA

While the Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 takes inspiration from OMEGA’s rich Olympic history, everything beneath the dial is unmistakably modern. At its heart is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8807, a self-winding movement certified by METAS for exceptional precision, performance, and magnetic-field resistance. It’s the same level of engineering collectors have come to expect from one of Switzerland’s most respected watchmakers.

The movement features a silicon balance spring, a Co-Axial escapement, and an 18K Moonshine™ Gold rotor, which you can see through the sapphire crystal caseback. With automatic winding in both directions, a 55-hour power reserve, and water resistance up to 100 metres, this watch is ready for daily use, even with its elegant look.

The Olympic theme appears on the back of the watch as well. Under the sapphire crystal caseback, you’ll find the official Milano Cortina 2026 medallion with the Olympic Rings and event logo, serving as a permanent reminder of the Games this edition honours. The hexagonal crown is not just for style; it reflects the shape used on OMEGA’s earlier Olympic Seamaster models, connecting this watch to its history.

Speaking about the release, OMEGA President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann said, “The Olympic Games are moments in history that stay with us for a lifetime. As Official Timekeeper, we have measured the world’s greatest sporting achievements since 1932, and this special Seamaster is our way of celebrating that legacy while looking ahead to Milano Cortina 2026. It represents our passion for precision, innovation, and the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games.”

OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 Ref. 522.53.37.20.04.001

With just one year remaining until the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, OMEGA is once again preparing to take its place at the heart of the action. While this edition of the Games will be held much closer to the brand’s home in Biel, Switzerland, its responsibility remains unchanged. Every record-breaking performance, photo finish, and medal-winning moment will rely on the same precision that has made OMEGA the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games for more than 90 years.

Speaking during the official “One Year to Go” celebration in Milan, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach praised OMEGA’s enduring contribution to the Olympic movement, saying, “The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are now just one year away, and we can already feel the growing anticipation. As the days and hours countdown, we know that when the Games start, our timekeeping experts, OMEGA will deliver the results with precision and integrity. They have been one of the IOC’s longest-standing partners and have shown commitment and passion decade after decade, so it is with great pleasure that I unveil this one-year countdown clock on behalf of the IOC.”

The Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 is a fitting way to celebrate that remarkable partnership. Blending OMEGA’s Olympic heritage with elegant Swiss watchmaking, the special edition is more than a commemorative timepiece—it marks the start of the countdown to one of the world’s biggest sporting events. For collectors and Olympic fans alike, it’s an opportunity to own a piece of that story before the first athlete even steps onto the snow. The OMEGA Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 is available now for USD $23,000, offering enthusiasts a chance to celebrate the road to Milano Cortina 2026 with a timepiece that’s destined to become part of the brand’s rich Olympic legacy.

OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 Ref. 522.53.37.20.04.001
OMEGA Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 | Image: Supplied / OMEGA
OMEGAOlympics
About the Author
arrow_drop_up