TAG Heuer has spent the last couple of years building out one of the more interesting accessible lineups in its modern catalog, and the Formula 1 Solargraph has been at the center of that effort. The standard models have been some of my favorite TAG releases in recent memory, and I think they offer real value at their price point. So when a new limited edition shows up tied to one of motorsport’s biggest events, it gets people’s attention, even if the watch itself sits outside what I’d personally chase. Now, TAG Heuer announced the Formula 1 Solargraph x Indy 500, a 1,110-piece run tied to the 110th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.
The watch carries reference WBY111G.BA0042 and uses the same 38mm sandblasted steel case that anchors the current Solargraph collection. Case thickness comes in at 9.90mm, water resistance is rated to 100 meters, and the watch ships on a sandblasted three-link steel bracelet with a folding clasp. The TH-Polylight rotating bezel is the visual centerpiece here, with a brown 60-minute scale that pulls from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s flying wheel logo. It’s a black and brown color story rather than the more familiar racing palettes TAG has used in the past, and at first glance, it gives the watch a slightly retro character.
The dial follows the same palette, pairing a black opaline center with a brown outer minute track. Applied shield-shaped indices sit at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock, with a date window at 3. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo appears above 6 o’clock, and a red central seconds hand provides the only loud color note on an otherwise restrained dial. Super-LumiNova handles the lume, and TAG is using its Mercedes-style hour and minute handset.
Powering the watch is the TH50-00 Solargraph movement, a solar quartz caliber TAG has been leaning into across this collection. A full charge offers up to ten months of operation, and the brand says just one minute of direct sunlight nets 24 hours of running time. That kind of practicality is great for daily wear, and it’s a big reason these have resonated with collectors looking for something low-maintenance.
Pricing is where I’d push back. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph x Indy 500 lands at $2,250, which is roughly a $200 bump over the standard Solargraph models. I understand limited editions carry a premium, but with the bones of the watch unchanged, the gap feels steeper than it needs to be. Whether that math works depends on how much the Indy 500 connection means to you personally, and that’s the audience TAG clearly has in mind here.
For collectors who follow Indy 500 memorabilia or have a real attachment to the race, this lands in interesting territory. The 1,110-piece run honors the anniversary cleanly, and the design is restrained enough to wear well beyond race day. It’s not the Solargraph I’d personally add, but I can see why it’ll find its people.
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Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.