Final week, the 2025 System 1 season commenced with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park, a circuit identified for its comparatively flat format however made unpredictable by the town’s notorious climate. The race weekend featured abrupt shifts between scorching temperatures and sudden downpours, creating challenges that unsettled even skilled racers, resulting in a number of crashes and security automotive deployments. The dramatic circumstances culminated in an intense battle for prime positions, including pleasure to the season opener. Moreover, the Grand Prix marked a brand new chapter for TAG Heuer, who’s succeeding Rolex because the System 1 World Associate and Official Timekeeper.
After twenty years, the Swiss Maison now rekindles its historic partnership with System 1. Main the model throughout this pivotal second is CEO Antoine Pin, who took on the function following his tenure as Managing Director of Bulgari’s Watch Division. Reflecting on the early days of his appointment, Pin expressed a optimistic outlook regardless of the challenges, stating, “I felt good and I like to be on this place.”
Having been with TAG Heuer earlier in his profession, Pin tailored rapidly to his new place, avoiding the steep studying curve usually related to such appointments. His familiarity with the model allowed for a smoother adjustment, as he famous, “At the very least I used to be not within the discovery section. Now, I’m extra within the section the place we are able to actually assume ahead and construct pleasure, not simply from a tactical perspective.” Six months into his function, Pin expressed enthusiasm for the long run, emphasizing the joy of planning forward and constructing momentum — significantly aligning with the beginning of the brand new System 1 season.
Customized Monaco Cut up-Second Chronograph given to Max Verstappen forward of 2025 Australian Grand PrixTag Heuer
Max VerstappenKym Illman/Getty Photos
Liam LawsonKym Illman/Getty Photos
Since 2016, TAG Heuer has held the function of Official Associate and Timekeeper for the Oracle Pink Bull Racing System 1 staff – a collaboration that has celebrated a number of World Championship victories and unique particular version timepieces. Regardless of TAG Heuer’s latest appointment as System 1’s Official Timekeeper, the Maison continues its sturdy alliance with the Pink Bull Racing staff, supporting four-time world champion Max Verstappen and newcomer Liam Lawson as they compete within the 2025 season
Max Verstappen’s illustrious System 1 profession, characterised by his dominance and 4 consecutive championship titles, has been strongly supported by TAG Heuer. The luxurious watchmaker has marked Verstappen’s milestones with bespoke timepieces, such because the special-edition TAG Heuer Monaco Titan, which celebrated his 2021 Monaco Grand Prix victory. In 2025, previous to the Australian Grand Prix, TAG Heuer offered Verstappen with a customized Monaco Cut up-Second Chronograph, engraved along with his identify and 4 stars symbolizing his world champion standing.
“With a partnership or a relationship, the longer and extra you get to know one another, the extra pure all the things turns into.” – Max Verstappen
Antoine Pin’s comparatively calm but enthusiastic outlook on the way forward for TAG Heuer poses an identical synergy to Verstappen’s state of mind for the brand new F1 season. Talking on his partnership with the Swiss Maison, Verstappen stated, “With a partnership or a relationship, the longer and extra you get to know one another, the extra pure all the things turns into.” He famous the numerous memorable experiences shared with TAG Heuer, emphasizing their mutual appreciation for the game’s wealthy historical past.
Including to the season’s pleasure is TAG Heuer’s iconic pit lane clock, impressed by its 1986 System 1 assortment, which was briefly revived final spring in a collaboration with KITH. The up to date design includes a magnified 1,200mm dial and bezel, rendered in a placing mixture of a white dial and pink tachymeter bezel. Enhanced with high-visibility LED illumination, the clock not solely serves a practical goal but additionally makes a daring visible assertion, reinforcing TAG Heuer’s enduring connection to System 1.
Innovation has at all times been a cornerstone of TAG Heuer’s philosophy, however the Swiss Maison additionally holds a deep appreciation for its archival creations, typically drawing inspiration from its previous. Amongst these, the limited-edition 6000 sequence Ayrton Senna timepiece holds explicit sentimental worth for the brand new TAG Heuer CEO. Pin described his connection to the watch as “emotional,” noting that it marked his first enterprise into watch accumulating whereas celebrating the legacy of the legendary racer. This mannequin additionally represented a milestone for the model as one among its earliest limited-edition releases.
Whereas valuing the heritage embodied in classic fashions, Pin can be a robust advocate for contemporary innovation. On the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, he wore the brand new System One Chronograph in titanium with a blue tachymeter and handset. Though it might appear anticipated for a watch model CEO to showcase the newest releases, Pin emphasised his real affinity for the piece, explaining the way it symbolizes TAG Heuer’s present achievements and the route it’s heading. This twin appreciation for heritage and forward-thinking design encapsulates the stability that defines the model’s ongoing evolution.
“This yr is devoted to the world of motor-racing.” – Antoine Pin
TAG Heuer’s dedication to innovation continues to thrive 40 years after the debut of its first System One watch. Trying again on the model’s evolution, Pin highlighted the transformation of TAG Heuer as a extremely built-in Manufacture at this time – full with its personal design studio and a good portion of its workforce devoted to manufacturing and product growth. He likened the disclosing of recent applied sciences to the method of getting older, describing that model as a “transferring firm” that grows and evolves over time. Removed from hindering innovation, the model’s wealthy historical past serves as a supply of motivation, driving it ahead in its pursuit of excellence.
As 2025 unfolds, Antoine Pin declared “This yr is devoted to the world of motor-racing” – a theme epitomized by its latest chronograph-heavy lineup unveiled through the 2025 LVMH watch week. Amongst these are two standout fashions: one devoted to Pink Bull Racing and one other providing a recent tackle the System 1 Chronograph. This give attention to each innovation and heritage suggests an thrilling future for TAG Heuer, with the potential for extra new timepieces debuting at upcoming races. Moreover, the model might proceed to attract inspiration from its archives, exemplified by the retro designs seen in its newest pit lane clock, all whereas sustaining its drive to create contemporary and groundbreaking items.
