The second generation of the TAG Heuer and Nintendo partnership comes in two racing-inspired mechanical watches with gaming references
In a nutshell, after launching their collaboration last year with the TAG Heuer Connected x Super Mario Limited Edition, the timepiece quickly became a fan favorite and sold out. This year, the Swiss luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer and Nintendo are back with the second and much-anticipated iteration of their most recent collaboration, which has been revealed in the form of two collector’s limited-edition TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronographs commemorating Mario Kart.
Fans of Super Mario will undoubtedly identify their favorite character this time as it takes over one of TAG Heuer’s iconic collections, which is suitably focused on racing. Two TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Editions in Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon are the product of close collaboration between both of the teams in creating the two never-before-seen styles.
Special for the former, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph edition, which is limited to 3000 pieces, is powered by the automatic Calibre 16 movement. A date window at three o’clock that displays symbols from the game instead of digits, such as Bullet Bill, the Banana, and more, is one of the watch’s subtle but smart Mario accents.
The Mario Kart emblem is engraved on the black polished ceramic tachymeter bezel and the unique screwed-down case back, while Mario’s M symbol is etched on the crown. In addition, Mario’s easter eggs are also displayed in the 9 o’clock seconds indicator, which is circled in his trademark red. Moreover, a bold and stylish dial with a racetrack-inspired checkered pattern in black and anthracite completes the watch, which is housed in a 44mm steel casing with references to the well-known racing game series.
Meanwhile, there are just 250 pieces available of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition Chronograph Tourbillon. As the name suggests, the tourbillon—which makes one rotation every minute and has Mario in his kart, Spiny Shell, and Bullet Bill on its carriage—is undoubtedly the focal point of this watch. It is located in the fully redesigned tourbillon cage at six o’clock.
In addition, the dial’s distinctive red contrast line that runs along the cutouts adds depth and vitality to the watch’s face. The tri-compax arrangement of two-grained chronograph sub-counters at 3 and 9 o’clock and a gearwheel at 12 o’clock that resembles the rims of motorsport tires all complement the stylish skeletonized black color of the dial. The central hands and 60-second or minute scale on the flange also complement this design.
This watch is truly amazing to behold with such a pleasant technical marvel at its core. The watch itself, that’s made of grade 5 titanium and measures 45mm, is powered by TAG Heuer’s high-precision Calibre Heuer 02T movement, which includes a Mario-themed rotor that is exclusive to this edition and is visible from the back.
Up front, the black polished ceramic bezel, which has a tachymeter scale that runs up to 400 km/h, has the Mario Kart logo displayed in white Super-LumiNova at its upper right. Mario’s M emblem is also highlighted on top of the 2 o’clock pusher and crown, and red lacquer surrounds it. In a way, it’s definitely a fantastic offering from one of the most reputable watch companies in the watchmaking industry.
In the end, the two TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Editions in Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon surely add a new chapter to the partnership story that will delight fans of both brands. Perhaps more importantly, it’s simply a stunning collaboration and it’s safe to say that TAG Heuer and Nintendo have successfully given fans of both worlds something to look forward to.
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