While I prefer the 38mm size, I think I prefer the original's overall proportional look. I really love both for different reasons, perhaps I'm just over analyzing. LOL
Thanks for your reply. I've been wearing my Solargraph for the last month and alternating in my various originals at the same time for comparison.
I basically agree with how you feel. Overall, I love the F1 Solargraph, I think TAG's designers did a great job of balancing the look of the old while freshening up the look for today. Plus, it's so comfortable to wear. I think it's mainly because of its rubber strap.
However, I found that the black strap on my newest addition, blue F1 381.513, is almost as soft and comfortable. I found this quite surprising, because the rest of my vintage straps feel stiffer and less comfortable in comparison. I believe when the original was first released, it had a thicker strap, closer to the thickness of the Solargraph. But later it seems a thinner strap was introduced, which to me feels less comfortable.
Here's a comparison. Bottom (L): replacement original strap (1.7mm thick). Middle: Original thicker strap from my first year ('86-'87) yellow/gray (2.4mm thick). Top (R): New Solargraph strap (2.7mm thick).
I'm not sure if my original gray, which yellowed with age, also got stiffer with age. But the black strap on my blue/black feels softer than either of my gray straps, or any of my other vintage F1 straps. (My black strap is also the thicker 2.4mm version, so I assume it's original to the watch.)
The one part of the Solargraph that I still have mixed feelings about is the case shape where it meets the strap. While the downward contour creates better wearability, I think the charm of the original case shape is lost. I also think the proportions of the original dial/bezel were lost in the translation to the 38mm size. The Solargraph's dial seems proportionately bigger, which is why I think it wears larger than a 38mm to me.
The TAG Heuer logo and Date window are also slightly smaller on the Solargraph compared to the original. Which creates more white space on the new re-issue's dial, another factor in making the new watch feel larger than its 38mm size.
While I prefer the 38mm size, I think I prefer the original's overall proportional look. I really love both for different reasons, perhaps I'm just over analyzing. LOL
When I was collecting these I bought a lot of them from Japanese EbAY sellers and they pretty much always came on those thicker, rubbery straps. I replaced many straps direct from TH and they were thinner type you mentioned. They were still okay, but the last strap I bought was a dark green one for one of my wife's F1s and it was horrible. It looked and felt like the sort of vinyl you make watering cans out of and it was so thin. After about three wears it looked knackered and I actually took it back and got it replaced with a black one IIRC. I switched her green F1 onto the bracelet and put the black strap on whichever one I took the bracelet off.
I still don't really understand why it was that all these Japanese ones had those thick rubbery straps on.
Back from my AD, its confirmed release on 28Nov, black case with black bezel/pink numerals and black face with pink indexes. Physical pieces will be available by next week for private viewing across all ADs, no photos allowed. Its is limited to 1000pcs.
For completeness, I also measured the thickness of the KITH strap. It's 2.6mm, very close to the Solargraph. The modern rubber straps are much nicer to wear and the main reason my KITH Hawaii gets way more wrist time than my Ukyo Katayama, despite my preference towards the Katayama being the OG.
The strap to the left of the Katayama is my original strap from my Shell Oil. I think that not only are there thick and thin OG straps, but the material consistency might be different depending on the production batch. My thick black strap is by far the softest of all my OG straps. The Shell Oil's thin strap is softer than the Katayama or any of my other new replacement OEM F1 straps (all thin), but not quite as soft as my thick black. OTOH, my original thick gray strap feels the stiffest of all my straps. It's actually quite hard in one section and feels like it could crack if bent too far.
I knew we've had this discussion on the thickness before, starting here when @Albert-AMG acquired his NOS black & yellow. (5 years ago!) I couldn't contribute much then, as I only had my one OG yellow/gray at the time. But now that I've collected more, I'm noticing all these subtle differences.
So this is not the pink accent F1 Chrono we've already seen the leak of, this is a 38mm Solargraph?
yes... very accurate description. Watch is available for viewing as of today for my AD. Neon/Luminous Pink accent.
Confirmed: Qatar F1 GP Limited Edition, 1000pcs, slated 28 Nov launch.
2 Senna F1 chrono also confirmed. 1 Yellow Strap, 1 Link bracelet (LE)
Looks like a neon/ luminous green not far down the horizon
The yellow Senna calibre 16 is striking in the metal...was surprised I liked it so much
So it's a quartz on a steel bracelet... right
