Ayrton Senna: the maestro's legacy lives on

Few Formula 1 drivers are remembered with as much reverence and awe as Ayrton Senna.

The fearless Brazilian champion remains one of the sport’s most popular figures 30 years after his tragic passing at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

To commemorate that sombre anniversary and the arrival of a new Netflix series, Senna, premiering in November, Swiss luxury timekeeper TAG Heuer and the Senna Brand combine for a striking TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna timepiece.

The fictional depiction of the 1988, 1989 and 1991 world champion’s life in the six-episode Netflix series stars TAG Heuer ambassador Gabriel Leone as Senna and portrays his journey from his early days in Brazil to his rise as one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers.

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Developed and produced with the support of Senna’s family, the series captures his biggest driving achievements, personal struggles, and relationships, concluding with the fatal accident at the San Marino Grand Prix.

The partnership between TAG Heuer and Senna first began in 1988 while he was dominating tracks around the world. Since his passing the La Chaux-de-Fonds-based brand has celebrated the association with a number of special watches, including two chronograph tourbillons releases within the Carrera collection in 2018 and 2019.

This new skeleton dial tourbillon is a fitting tribute to what TAG Heuer describes as Senna’s ‘victorious spirit’. A limited edition release of 500 pieces, its features reflect the legacy of the man – the carbon bezel inscribed with his name and a tachymeter scale reaching up to 400 km/h to symbolise the speed and precision that defined Senna’s career.

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His distinctive ‘S’ branding appears in yellow on the 9 o’clock subdial and the central counter hand also appears in a bold yellow to tie in with the Senna logo.

The 44mm-diameter case is distinguished by mixed finishes of the grade-2 titanium as well as sharp lugs for a three-dimensional architectural profile. The skeleton dial is black plated and fine brushed, with a grained black centre décor.

The minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock is backgrounded by ‘azuré’-toned skeleton work under a yellow lacquered, openworked hand, while the same colour scheme is used for the 9 o’clock hour chronograph counter.

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On the caseback, an iconic image of Senna with his eyes looking out from under his helmet and limited edition markings signifies the exclusivity of the piece.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna is water resistant to 100 metres and is presented on a blue integrated rubber strap with fine brushed and sandblasted décor and a Grade-2 titanium folding clasp with double safety pushbuttons and the TAG Heuer shield.

Despite the advancing years, Ayrton Senna’s popularity remains as undiminished as his legend, making this special example of high-end watchmaking a ‘highly desired’ item for his true fans.