TAG Heuer and Nintendo seem like they are enjoying each other’s company as TAG Heuer just released their second Nintendo offering – the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Editions.
There are actually two watches on offer here: a 3,000-piece chronograph, and a 250-piece chronograph tourbillon.
These watches are not smartwatches like their previous offering, the Super Mario Connected. Instead, TAG Heuer have had some fun with their motor racing heritage by adding Mario Kart elements to the dial and bezel.
The regular chronograph is perhaps less interesting than its tourbillon counterpart as it’s simply Mario appearing on the sub-dial at 9 o’clock with little images taken from the power-ups found in Mario Kart that appear each day in the date window. Though the textured racing flag inspired dial is pretty cool. It’s cute, but nothing ground-breaking.
The tourbillon, however, is awesome with various Mario Kart with cute figures of Mario, Bullet Bill, and the dreaded Blue Shell chasing each other on the tourbillon. It’s more creative and the design language simply works better here, and TAG know this, hence why they are charging almost triple the price of the regular chronograph for this piece. It seems to be a balancing act to try and appeal to casual fans with the cheaper variant, whilst saving the best stuff for enthusiasts.
Other than the aesthetic differences between the two, there are several technical differences as well. The chronograph is powered by the automatic Calibre 16 and is housed in a satin-brushed 44mm stainless-steel case. The tourbillon has a slightly larger 45mm case in grade 5 titanium with a sapphire caseback revealing the COSC-certified Calibre Heuer 02T movement with a red column wheel. Another neat little feature the tourbillon has is a custom winding rotor with silhouettes of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.
What can be said about these other than they’re cute and fun. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Mario Kart is as well. A lot of thought and effort has been put into these, especially the tourbillon version which is easily the highlight of the two.
The Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Editions are available for pre-order now via their website and are priced at $4,300 USD (~$6,800 AUD) and $25,600 USD (~$40,400 AUD).
At A Glance
Chronograph
Size: 44mm
Material: Stainless-steel
Movement: Calibre 16
Bezel: Black Ceramic
Dial: Checkered Black
Caseback: Stainless-steel
Strap: Black Calfskin Leather
Tourbillon
Size: 45mm
Material: Grade 5 Titanium
Movement: Calibre Heuer 02T (COSC)
Bezel: Black Ceramic
Dial: Skeletonised Tri-Complex
Caseback: Sapphire Crystal
Strap: Black Calfskin Leather
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