Teddy Baldassarre
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Review: The Retro Classic Returns - Teddy Baldassarre
ArticleHands-on reviewOct 2025
Mixed
A self-described fan enjoys the Solargraph's fun, faithful retro look and modern upgrades, but feels the nearly $2,000 price betrays the original's affordability. The reviewer prefers the smaller Kith collab or buying a vintage original secondhand.
Suits: Fans of fun, colourful '80s nostalgia wanting unisex 38mm sizing
What the review says, point by point
- Valuenegative
- Sees the modern price as far less approachable than the original's accessible positioning.
- Does not feel the premium additions justify the price increase personally.
- Designpositive
- Likes that the watch embraces fun and delivers heavy '80s nostalgia.
- Finds the signature bezel charmingly quirky.
- Dialpositive
- Likes that the dial layout stays close to the original with playful boldness.
- Is drawn slightly more to the colour options of the Kith collaboration.
- Case & proportionsmixed
- Views the 38mm size as contemporary with broad unisex appeal.
- Considers the gear-tooth crown a premium upgrade over the old pillbox crown.
- Prefers the smaller, true-to-vintage sizing of the Kith collab.
- Wearabilitypositive
- Enjoyed the look of the watch when worn.
- Bracelet & strapnegative
- Favours the retro bracelets on the Kith pieces over this watch's modern bracelet.
- Movementmixed
- Finds the roughly 20-hour full charging time rather dramatic.
- Suggests a nightly lamp charge could leave it worry-free for nearly a year.
- Finishing & buildpositive
- Sees the build as more premium, aligned with the brand's luxury tool watch positioning.
- Compared with
- TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Kith: Prefers Kith's smaller vintage sizing, colours and retro bracelets.
- TAG Heuer Formula 1 (original 1986 vintage): Would rather buy a vintage original secondhand at reasonable prices.
