TAG Heuer Presents Two New Limited Edition Iterations for Formula 1 x Mario Kart Collaboration
The highly-anticipated second installment of TAG Heuer’s partnership with Nintendo has been unveiled in the form of two limited edition Formula 1 Mario Kart chronographs.
Photo Credit: TAG Heuer
When it debuted in 2021, the TAG Heuer Connected x Super Mario Limited Edition partnership instantly became a must-have among fans of either (or both) brands. The Swiss luxury watchmaker and Nintendo are back this year with two new limited-edition mechanical watches in the form of a Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon.
Super Mario fans can instantly recognize their favorite classic video game character throughout either of these new limited-edition pieces, which fittingly happen to be dedicated to racing. Created through close collaboration between TAG Heuer and Nintendo, these two new pieces highlight common themes shared by the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection and the Mario Kart series: adrenaline, speed, competitiveness, all the way to victory.
“We are excited to reveal the two latest pieces born from our collaboration with Nintendo,” said Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer. “The TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Editions (Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon) expertly mix fun gaming references that will delight fans of Mario Kart around the world, with refined and high performing timekeeping. The spirit of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection was the perfect match for mechanical Mario Kart limited editions, thanks to its modern and playful personality, driven by speed and friendly competition. The two timepieces are designed for lovers of fine watchmaking who have kept their fresh, fun outlook on life.”
Photo Credit: TAG Heuer
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph is powered by the Caliber 16 movement and is limited to a mere 3,000 pieces. The watch’s 44-mm steel case is infused with references to the world-famous racing games series: the Mario Kart logo is inscribed on the black polished ceramic tachymeter bezel with Super-LumiNova®, the 2 o’clock pusher and crown are circled with an iconic red lacquer, Mario’s M symbol is etched on the crown and Mario Kart logo is engraved on the dedicated screwed-down case back along with the outline of him in a race car.
The black and anthracite checkered pattern featured on the dial is inspired by the racetrack and Mario himself even appears on the 9 o’clock permanent seconds indicator, which is circled in an iconic red. The iconic color is also found on the lacquered central hand, hour chronograph counter hand and 60-second or minute scale on the flange.
Owners of the watch will be delighted to discover Easter eggs in the form of the date window at 3 o’clock will regularly intercalate beloved Mario Kart items including Bullet Bill, the Banana and more, in lieu of the date number.
Photo Credit: TAG Heuer
Photo Credit: TAG Heuer
The Chronograph Tourbillon is the Haute Horlogerie piece of this drop, limited to 250 pieces. The Tourbillon’s case is slightly larger at 45-mm and made from grade 5 titanium, projecting a sporty yet refined look. The crown and pushers are fine-brushed steel, and the screwed-down case back is grade 5 titanium with a custom sapphire glass featuring the Mario Kart logo, through which TAG Heuer’s high precision COSC-certified Calibre Heuer 02T movement can be fully appreciated.
The case back includes a limited-edition characteristic through an engraved XXX/250 mark.
The black polished ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale up to 400 km/h includes the Mario Kart logo in white Super-LumiNova® at the top right. The 2 o’clock pusher and crown are circled with red lacquer with the M symbol of Mario also highlighted on the top of the crown.
The skeletonized black and red dial adds depth and energy to the watch’s face while the tourbillon cage includes alternate finishings and is circled with Super-LumiNova®. Additionally, the cage was fully redesigned to showcase Mario in his kart, the Spiny Shell and Bullet Bill moving in rhythm with the complication.
Photo Credit: TAG Heuer
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Limited Edition chronographs bring unmatched creativity, fresh style and high watchmaking performance to Mario fans worldwide. These are certainly unmissable highlights of TAG Heuer’s limited editions in 2022.
Available from 20 October 2022, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph will be sold exclusively in TAG Heuer boutiques, on the brand’s e-commerce websites in select countries, as well as at select retail partners. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph Tourbillon will be sold exclusively in TAG Heuer boutiques and on the brand’s e-commerce websites in select countries.