Gulf Oil’s association with auto racing began in the 1930s. But it wasn’t until the late 1960s and early 1970s that Gulf’s involvement with the sport penetrated the popular consciousness. In 1968 and 1969, Gulf picked up back-to-back wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in cars painted powder blue and orange. Then, in 1971, Steve McQueen appeared onscreen in La Mans, depicting a fictional 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. In the film McQueen was driving a 1969 Porsche 917K painted in Gulf Blue and Orange – and wearing a Heuer Monaco on his wrist. This series of events catapulted the blue and orange Gulf livery to iconic status.
Gulf-themed watches have been a part of TAG Heuer’s lineup since 2007. For their fourth collaboration, TAG channels Gulf’s colors into a bold motorsport-inspired design. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph x Gulf features blue and orange stripes racing across a black opalin dial. A blue running track circles the dial’s chronograph counters, skeleton hour/minute hands and lume filled hour markers. The tachymeter bezel features a carbon insert with an irregular surface. While the orange ring positioned between the 44 mm titanium case and the bezel is another nod to Gulf’s signature palette. Ditto for the orange lacquer ring on the crown. Turning the watch over reveals the Gulf logo engraved on the caseback.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf ($6,300.00) – tagheuer.com
