If you have ever had a soft spot for bold, colorful sports watches from the 1980s, TAG Heuer just gave you a very good reason to pay attention. The brand is reviving one of the most recognizable pieces in its history: the bright orange metal-cased Formula 1 watch, originally introduced shortly after the F1 series launched in 1986. Now reimagined as part of the 2025 Solargraph F1 lineup, this watch is already picking up an unofficial nickname in enthusiast circles. People are calling it the Zandvoort, a nod to the celebrated Dutch Grand Prix circuit hosting what is expected to be its final race at that location.
A Classic Design Gets a Modern Solar Upgrade
The new Zandvoort edition measures 38mm, stepping up from the original 28mm and 35mm sizes, which makes it far more wearable by today’s standards. It runs on solar power, which means no battery swaps and a much more sustainable daily companion. The gray opalin dial faithfully mirrors the original 1980s colorway, and the design on the orange rubber strap that echoes the TAG logo shape has been kept intact. On the case material front, TAG has replaced the old thermoplastic with TH-Polylight, a castor-based bioplastic molded over a steel inner core. The result is a watch that feels genuinely tough without adding unnecessary weight, which is exactly what you want from a sports piece inspired by the chaotic energy of motorsport and beach culture.
The Surf and Racing Heritage Behind the Orange Dial
What makes this watch culturally interesting is where it actually came from. The original F1 series was not built for racing fans. Designer Eddy Burgener has spoken publicly about how the brief was to create something fun and colorful for young American surfers and divers, inspired by bright surfboards and beach fashion of the early 1980s. The rubber straps on originals were even made extra long so wearers could pull them over a wetsuit, with V-shaped grooves so they could be cut to a custom length. That surfboard-meets-stopwatch DNA is part of why these pieces have such lasting appeal. By the time the collection launched in 1986, TAG had entered the racing world and the Formula 1 name stuck. The original line sold over 3 million units before it was shelved, which by any measure is a remarkable commercial run for a niche sports watch brand.
Should You Buy the Rubber Strap or the Bracelet Version?
TAG is offering the Zandvoort on either an orange rubber strap for $2,150 or a three-row sand-blasted steel bracelet for $2,250. The bracelet version is an online exclusive and limited to just 1,000 pieces, while the strap version caps out at 1,500 units. If you are drawn to the heritage look, the rubber strap is the more authentic choice. If you want something that wears more formally without losing the sporty edge, the bracelet is genuinely compelling. Either way, with limited quantities and growing buzz around the Zandvoort name, this is the kind of release where waiting too long usually means missing out entirely.
