The model was introduced in 2021 — exactly 30 years after Ayrton Senna won his third Formula 1 world title.
The Brazilian sealed the championship in October 1991 at the Suzuka circuit, where he finished in second place after conceding the victory to his teammate Gerhard Berger. In the subsequent race in Adelaide, Senna arrived as a three-time world champion and won one of the most unusual races in Formula 1 history — stopped after only 14 laps due to torrential rain.
The connection between Ayrton Senna and TAG Heuer is legendary. Their official partnership began in 1988, and the driver became one of the most recognizable faces in the brand's history. Decades after his death, TAG Heuer continues to define him as its legendary ambassador and to honor his legacy through its collaboration with Senna Brand and the Instituto Ayrton Senna.
The presented TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition, reference CAZ101AJ.FC6487, is built on the platform of the sporty Formula 1 collection — the accessible entry point into the world of the brand and one of the lines that most directly reflects its long-standing connection with motorsports.
The watch is offered in a solid 43-millimeter case made of sandblasted stainless steel with a black DLC coating. The matte finish emphasizes its tool-like and purposeful presence, while also limiting unwanted reflections and the visibility of lighter signs of wear.
The fixed bezel is crafted from black ceramic and features a tachymeter scale, the "Senna" inscription, and the characteristic stylized "S" logo. The yellow details recall the colors of the Brazilian driver's helmet and create a vivid contrast against the primary black-and-anthracite color scheme.
The screw-down crown, its guards, and the chronograph pushers follow the matte black finish of the case. The solid screw-down case back is adorned with a special engraving depicting Senna's signature helmet, as well as the inscription "Senna Special Edition".
The dial is finished in an anthracite grey color with a sunray finish and numerous yellow and white accents. The black chronograph counters are decorated with a concentric "azurage" finish, which adds depth and visually distinguishes them from the main surface.
The layout is classic for a quartz sports chronograph: a tenths-of-a-second counter, a 30-minute counter, and a small seconds hand. The Senna logo is placed on the lower part of the dial, and the date window is discreetly located between four and five o'clock.
The hands and hour markers are filled with white Super-LumiNova®, which ensures excellent legibility in low-light conditions. The bright yellow central chronograph hand and the colored outlines around the counters reinforce the motorsport character of the watch, without making the dial appear cluttered.
The black calfskin leather strap is particularly interesting. Its embossed texture with an S-shaped pattern is inspired by the iconic TAG Heuer S/EL bracelet, worn by Senna himself. The yellow stitching complements the color composition, and the folding steel clasp with a black DLC coating features a double security system.
TAG Heuer officially designates the movement simply as a Swiss quartz caliber. According to specialized horological sources, the base used is the Ronda 5040.D — a widespread and provenly reliable movement with 13 jewels, a chronograph with an accuracy of one-tenth of a second, a 30-minute counter, a small seconds hand, and a date function.
This is not an exotic or prestigious mechanical caliber, but therein lie some of the model's practical advantages. The movement is accurate, robust, and relatively easy and affordable to maintain. On the presented example, the hands align precisely with the markers, all functions operate flawlessly, and the luminescent coating is bright and even.
The sapphire crystal provides high resistance to scratching, and the officially declared water resistance is 200 meters. This makes the case perfectly suitable for active daily use and water activities, provided that the crown is properly screwed down and the gaskets are in good condition.
It should be noted, however, that the original leather strap is not intended for regular exposure to water. For swimming or prolonged use in water, we would recommend that the watch be fitted with a suitable rubber strap.
For someone seeking a distinctive sports watch for daily wear, with an accurate movement, easy maintenance, serious water resistance, and a strong connection to one of the greatest legends in motorsport history, this offering is hard to overlook.
