Thirty years after the death of Ayrton Senna, TAG Heuer continues to release homage models. Introducing the past models

2024 marks 30 years since Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna passed away in a racing accident. He remains celebrated as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, and TAG Heuer continues to pay homage to him with homage models. Let's take a look at the Ayrton Senna models that have been released so far.

30 years since the death of legendary racing driver Ayrton Senna

　2024 marks 30 years since the death of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna. He was nicknamed "Magic Senna" for his driving prowess, and in Japan he was known as the "Sonic Prince." Senna's fate was tossed about, and he only competed in F1 for 10 years, but his racing record was glorious.

　Senna was a three-time World Champion in 1988, 1990 and 1991, and won 41 Grand Prix and took 65 pole positions.

　Senna, who fought a memorable battle with Alain Prost, shone not only with his exceptional talent but also with his determination, fighting spirit, charisma and generosity.

　The days when Ayrton Senna's victory would erupt the whole of Brazil in excitement are fading away, but 30 years after his death, Senna still lives on in people's hearts.

　The young people in Brazil who watched F1 in the 1980s and 1990s, when Ayrton Senna was active, are now in their 40s and 50s and are passing on their passion for car racing to their children.

　During the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Brazil's Interlagos circuit, young people wear Senna's famous blue "NACIONAL" caps and sing songs in memory of the legendary hero during the race.

　Every time Senna stood on the podium, the entire Brazilian nation celebrated a victory and found a ray of hope in the midst of a difficult economic and social situation.

　Senna understood this well and was a passionate supporter of young people in Brazil, so much so that just months before his tragic accident he announced his intention to set up a foundation.

　The Ayrton Senna Institute (IAS) was established in November 1994, six months after Senna's death. Founded by his sister, Vivienne Senna, the foundation will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the end of 2024. The foundation has invested nearly $100 million in social activities and education for underprivileged youth in Brazil.

　The foundation is funded mainly by private donations, but also by the sale of licensed Ayrton Senna merchandise, made by major international brands such as Tag Heuer, McLaren, Ducati, Asics, Visa and Lego.

　TAG Heuer has been producing licensed products featuring Senna's famous trademark "S" since 1988, and has released several special "Ayrton Senna" series over the years.

TAG Heuer and Ayrton Senna: A look back at past collaboration models

　In 1985, TAG Heuer signed the longest partnership in F1 history with the McLaren racing team. The "S/el" series, released in 1987, featured a double S-shaped bracelet called the "link," which has since become a TAG Heuer trademark.

　In 1988, Ayrton Senna, the new McLaren-Honda driver, wore this model and became an official Tag Heuer ambassador.

　TAG Heuer released its first special model, the TAG Heuer 6000 Senna Limited Edition, in 1994, the year Senna passed away. The contract for the "Ayrton Senna x TAG Heuer" series was signed on April 29, 1994, two days before Senna's death at the Imola Circuit. This model was part of a 6000-piece series featuring a "checkered flag" dial and Senna's "S" design.

　In the 2000s, three new series were developed based on the Link chronograph models.

　The first model, released in 2001, was limited to 1991 pieces, paying homage to Senna's final victory in 1991. This TAG Heuer Link Senna Chronograph featured a subtle "Senna S" embossed on the dial, visible only from certain angles.

　In 2002, the third series of the Link Chronograph Ayrton Senna, the reference CT2115, was released, with a production run of 4098 pieces. The yellow "S" logo and yellow details were a nod to the color of Senna's iconic helmet.

　The Ref. CT5114, released in 2003, is a limited edition model of 4000 pieces, and features a white subdial that is different from its predecessor. Senna's name and the "S" logo are placed next to the date at 3 o'clock, and the case back features a picture of Senna's colorful helmet.

　The Ref. CJF2113, limited to 2004 pieces and released on the 10th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's death, brought about a major change to the series, featuring green subdial hands and a signature that reproduced Senna's "handwriting."

The TAG Heuer Senna Collection, Revived in 2015

　The partnership between the Ayrton Senna Foundation and TAG Heuer took a break for several years, but was revived in 2015 with two special edition models based on the Carrera Calibre 16: one stainless steel Ref. CAZ201D and one titanium. This was followed by the TAG Heuer Carrera & Formula 1 Senna, featuring red or yellow details.

　The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna, Ref. CAZ1015, released in 2016, is a 43mm stainless steel case model. This special edition features the word "Senna" on the dial and aluminum bezel, as well as an engraved caseback.

　In 2017, TAG Heuer combined its in-house movement, the Heuer 01, with the design codes of the Senna collection for the first time.

　The Carrera Heuer 01 Chronograph features a 45mm stainless steel case with a striking black PVD coating and red accents. It also features a skeleton dial and a sapphire crystal case back.

　In 2017, the Senna collection released two other quartz Formula 1 models, one of which was the chronograph model, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna, Ref. CAZ1019.

　In 2018, TAG Heuer released two special models in homage to Senna from its Carrera collection: a skeletonized chronograph model and the elegant Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T (Ref. CAR5A91), both of which proudly feature the Senna name and logo on the dial, bezel, and caseback.

　Furthermore, two special editions of the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Tourbillon Senna were released in 2019. One of these, the Ref. CAR5A99, features the yellow of Senna's helmet and is also printed on the sapphire crystal case back.

　Several "Formula 1 Senna Special Edition Chronographs" were released in 2020 and 2021, including the Ref. CAZ101AJ with an automatic movement and models with quartz movements. These designs adhere to the traditional characteristics of the Senna collection.

A new limited edition model is scheduled to be released at the end of 2024

　The current model, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Ayrton Senna, is based on Formula 1 as before, but brings back the link bracelet that was used in the 2015 and 2016 special series.

　The model released in 2022 has changed its color from yellow to McLaren red. The chronograph movement is powered by Cal. 16, which has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

　In 2024, 30 years after Ayrton Senna's death, the Ayrton Senna Institute is preparing to pay tribute to him with a series of events and the launch of licensed products.

　TAG Heuer, Ayrton Senna's historic partner, will be releasing a limited edition model at the end of the year that will delight not only watch enthusiasts but also longtime Senna fans.