Watch U Strappin'?! Ep. 497 - TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph

This could be my late Formula 1 Friday or on time Solargraph Sunday post. Either way it's been the watch on my wrist since Friday after I just picked it up from the TAG Heuer retail store on Thursday night. If you're still not up to speed yet, this is the first of many new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph watches. The specific reference for this one with the black bezel, white dial with red accents in matte finished stainless steel on a matching bracelet is WBY1111. I really liked it when I went to the TAG Heuer store to see it in person and try it on at the beginning of this month (April 2025). This was just days after the new Formula 1's were officially announced and released at the 2025 Watches and Wonders show in Switzerland. It left such a positive impression and stayed on my mind ever since. I knew I had to get one. And, so I did. I think it has a pretty good build quality. The update to the size from orignal 35mm to 38mm is good. It's just large enough but not overly. I thinking it keeps to the original model by maintaining a compact and thin sporty watch profile as I feel this particular design should be. They made some changes to the lug profile, I think it looks and wears a bit more refined than previous. I like they completed the numbers on the bi-directional rotating bezel by making them all double digits. Namely the "5" minute is now "05". The dial is white, but, it is very slightly off white. The lume in the indices are more pure white than the dial. I actually think that works and looks good as it adds just that little extra subtle tonal difference between the indices and the dial to separate them and give the overall dial a bit more depth and detail. The new applied indices also help with that visual effect as well. I was given an opportunity to choose between 2 available examples at the store to pick what I saw as the best example. Mine appears to have the second hand that hits all the markings pretty on point. The bracelet matches the case finish well. It's pretty well made. Nothing too out of the ordinary. But, I appreciate it has a taper from about 19mm at the hooded lugs to 16mm at the clasp. I say about because I measure the lug space & bracelet end to be just shy of 19mm.. close enough to be considered 19mm. The clasp is nice and slim and not too long. There are only 3 holes for microadjust. But, the links are short enough that I think most can size to a near perfect fit. Not to worry too much because of the next fact to mention. Going back to the clasp. Not many people mention this, I think, but, it has a quick tool-free microadjust. Only 1 level of extension which adds about 5mm. But, I find that is perfectly sufficient to relieve any tightness that may occur over the course of the day from wrist swelling. And, the extension is seamless and you will never see or notice it when it is extended, which is how to do a quick adjust extension. I believe it's similar system to Rolex's EasyLink style of quick adjustment within the clasp. The Solargraph movement is awesome. I also enjoy it in my TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph Titanium. It's robust, very accurate, reliable and virtually maintenance free. Yes, it's a La Joux-Perret version of a Citizen Eco-Drive solar quartz movement. But, I think that's a positive. If any brand has have a long history of producing excellent solar powered movements, it's Citizen. I think they are probably the best at it. Lastly, I'll quickly address the dead horse that's been beaten to death already. At least one person has to beat that horse again whenever a post about these watches is up. Yes, it's expensive and overpriced. But, I still like it enough and find it was worth buying and owning despite the perceived price disparity for some.