Tag Heuer’s Formula 1 Kith Collection is a Riot of 80s and 90s Colour

Colour is very important in watchmaking. Not a revolutionary statement I know but sometimes it’s important not to overlook the basics, especially because colour is at the heart of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Kith collaboration. Kith, for those unfamiliar, is a lifestyle brand producing a wide range of clothing and collaborative apparel that’s highly sought after. A quick browse of their collections reveals an intense use of colour, which is represented here by the 10 expressive colourways of the watch.

Before we dive into the riot of colours, let’s talk about the watch itself. It’s a 35mm diameter piece in either coloured arnite (a high performance plastic), steel PVD or plain steel bearing the engraving “Kith & Kin” above the bezel at 12 o’clock. The style is inspired by the original Formula 1 Series 1 from 1986, hence the vintage proportions. However, while the size might be reserved, the design itself is not. The watch is dominated by an incredibly bold and chunky bezel featuring a 60-minute scale and pronounced grip.

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Kith Toronto (WA126C.BT0007), available from Kith only, limited to 250 pieces

The dial is available in a handful of finishes depending on the colourway. However, the uniform features are the minute scale ring and hour markers consisting of large circles interspersed with the Tag Heuer shield logo shape at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock. Plus there’s the date window at 3, KITH HEUER logo at 12 and “Just Us” inscription below the central hands. Depending on the version it then either has vertical stripes or a smooth matte finish.

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Kith (WA121F.BA0023), available from Tag Heuer & Kith, limited to 1,350 pieces

Now we come to the colours – if you want a full breakdown of every model, check out the tech spec at the bottom of the article. Helping to talk about them is the fact that three of them are known simply as Formula 1 Kith while seven of them bear additional names based on Kith’s iconic stores around the world. To highlight a few stand out models, there’s the Formula 1 Kith ref. WA121F.BA0023 in steel with a black bezel, eggshell dial and red accents. There’s then the Kith New York in full black with pale pink and purple accents. Lastly, Kith Los Angeles with its steel case, blue bezel and white dial is also a cool interpretation.

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Kith New York (WA126A.BT0005), available exclusively at Kith, limited to 250 pieces

In terms of availability, the seven editions bearing the name of a Kith store are exclusive to Kith and are limited to 250 pieces for the arnite models or 350 for the steel ones. There’s then two versions exclusive to Tag Heuer, the black arnite ones with blue or green accents, limited to 825 pieces. And then the flagship ref. WA121F.BA0023 I mentioned above is available from both retailers and is limited to 1,350 pieces. Fortunately, all 10 share a price of CHF 1,500 (approx. £1,300) which is a little simpler to wrap your head around.

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Kith Hawaii (WA126E.BT0009), available exclusively at Kith, limited to 250 pieces and Formula 1 Kith Steel PVD Green & Blue, available exclusively at Tag Heuer, limited to 825 pieces each

As with the entirety of the Formula 1 line, the watches are powered by quartz movements, which is why they’re among the lowest prices of any Tag Heuer. However, I think questions of value are still likely to be raised, particularly in relation to the fact that the arnite models on rubber straps are the same price as the steel models on steel bracelets. Ultimately, while they may not be my cup of tea, people will love them – especially considering the current renaissance of retro 80s and 90s design.

More details at Tag Heuer and Kith.