As a follow-up to last year’s TAG Heuer Connected x Super Mario Limited Edition timepiece, the Swiss luxury watchmaker has collaborated with Japanese video game giant Nintendo yet again to release two new collaborative watches: TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon. The pair of special edition watches are available in limited numbers despite being on the opposite ends of the price spectrum and feature classic Mario-inspired “easter eggs” that add playfulness to the celebrated racing chronograph platforms. Out of the two, the top-of-the-line Chronograph Tourbillon caught our attention that strikes a perfect balance between quirky design elements and elegant motorsports-inspired styling.
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Chronograph Tourbillon features a 45 mm grade 5 titanium case that’s fitted with a fixed gear-toothed tachymeter bezel with a black ceramic bezel insert emblazoned with “Mario Kart.” The crown has a lacquered “M” symbol and is made of steel. The special edition gets a partially open-worked dial that’s finished in dark asphalt gray color and features red and white accents. The centerpiece of the timepiece is the flying tourbillon that’s located at six o’clock. The tourbillon cage is decorated with three well-known Mario Kart characters – Bullet Bill, Spiny Shell, and Mario. The attention to detail is simply fantastic.
The Chronograph Tourbillon is powered by the watchmaker’s in-house Calibre Heuer 02T movement. It is a COSC-certified chronograph tourbillon with a minute totalizer at 3 o’clock and an hour totalizer at 12 o’clock. The movement operates at 4Hz and offers a power reserve of 65 hours. The collaborative timepiece comes fitted with a padded shell-patterned calfskin strap with red contact stitching, while the deployant buckle gets a Mario “M”. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Chronograph Tourbillon is limited to just 250 examples and is priced at $25,600. Both the limited edition timepieces will be available for purchase only through TAG Heuer boutiques and e-commerce platforms starting on October 20, 2022.
