The Ayrton Senna x TAG Heuer Appreciation Thread

[Hawk]

Buy in Japan around 1990 and personnaly Painted 1/12 Ayrton Resin made

 

[Mspeedster]

^Nice work @Hawk!

 

[Mspeedster]

Jeff Stein

Yes, I have seen several photos of Senna wearing the Formula 1 (Ref 472.513) during the 1991 Suzuka race weekend, but it's the champagne photos that come closest to suggesting that he wore the watch while he drove the race.

Here's another photo from the weekend, showing the watch very clearly.

If only we had Senna's face in this photo!!



Jeff

@Jeff Stein - FYI, that photo is not from Suzuka '91 and the man in the photo is not Senna. It's a McLaren mechanic. The red shorts and white shirts were worn by the team crew, but never the drivers. The team crew wore the red 3 hander F1s from 1986 until around '89/'90, then switched to the red Chrono as their team watch.

The car in your photo is from the '92 season, the McLaren MP4/7. I can tell because the red and white paint extends down the side of the nose. I can also tell just by the shape of the car.


In comparison, here is the McLaren MP4/6 from Senna's '91 championship season. Notice how the red & white is only on the top of the nose section. The sides are black. Also, the shape is different.


One can tell quite clearly when the engine cover is removed. The nose cone on the '91 MP4/6 is triangle shaped on the top part.

Edited: May 13, 2024

 

[Jeff Stein]

Mspeedster

@Jeff Stein - FYI, that photo is not from Suzuka '91 and the man in the photo is not Senna. It's a McLaren mechanic. The red shorts and white shirts were worn by the team crew, but never the drivers. The team crew wore the red 3 hander F1s from 1986 until around '89/'90, then switched to the red Chrono as their team watch.

The car in your photo is from the '92 season, the McLaren MP4/7. I can tell because the red and white paint extends down the side of the nose. I can also tell just by the shape of the car.


In comparison, here is the McLaren MP4/6 from Senna's '91 championship season. Notice how the red & white is only on the top of the nose section. The sides are black. Also, the shape is different.


One can tell quite clearly when the engine cover is removed. The nose cone on the '91 MP4/6 is triangle shaped on the top part.

Thank you so much for these corrections and all the additional information that you have provided.

The photo of the guy in the shorts has always puzzled me, because we never see the drivers in shorts. I greatly appreciate your correction on this point and for the additional information about the cars.

Jeff

 

[Mspeedster]

Jeff Stein

Thank you so much for these corrections and all the additional information that you have provided.

The photo of the guy in the shorts has always puzzled me, because we never see the drivers in shorts. I greatly appreciate your correction on this point and for the additional information about the cars.

Jeff

You're welcome, Jeff.
I'm pretty sure he wore it during the race. Here's more pictures from the '91 Suzuka podium.



I could always tell it was the F1 by the strap. But it wasn't until I watched a youtube video a few years ago that I could ID it as the chrono model and the other pic I posted confirms it too. Your after race champagne toast photo gives further confirmation.

 

[Hawk]

If you read french, I really recommand those two books

http://www.autonewsinfo.com/2024/03/19/livre-ayrton-senna-licone-immolee-457756.html

https://www.amazon.com.be/Imola-jour-daprès-Ayrton-survécu/dp/1798485346

 

[Hawk]

The history of one of the early Ayrton watch (kart périod with Barilla)

https://www.ayrton-senna.net/i-got-the-real-ayrton-sennas-watch/

and the Seiko , i've found...I need a new bezel.

 

[Mspeedster]

Hawk

The history of one of the early Ayrton watch (kart périod with Barilla)

https://www.ayrton-senna.net/i-got-the-real-ayrton-sennas-watch/

and the Seiko , i've found...I need a new bezel.

That's a great story! What's the reference number for that Seiko?

 

[Hawk]

Mspeedster

That's a great story! What's the reference number for that Seiko?

it's the 6138-0040 "Bullhead, blue dial"

 

[Mspeedster]

That makes at least 3 Seikos worn by Senna.

The other two being the Seiko Racing Master A781, worn at Suzuka '88 when he won his first championship.


Also, the Seiko Speedmaster A828 worn during his Lotus years.


Speaking of which, the Paul Oz bronze statue of Senna in his JPS Lotus attire accurately captures this watch.

 

[Hawk]

No date for this picture, but it seems that Ayrton wear a SeL Chrono black dial met steel band during racing . I buy one new in 1994 (jewelry stock) and still wear it. First picture Senna, second pic, my watch met NOS hands and dial changing by Tag, third, old dial and hands...

 

[Mspeedster]

Hawk

No date for this picture, but it seems that Ayrton wear a SeL Chrono black dial met steel band during racing .

I've seen that picture before but couldn't get a clear enough view of the dial/case to ID it as the chrono model. Do you have a better picture?

At the German GP Hockenheim '92, Senna wore a similar black dial S/el on a bracelet. But it's a 3 hander, not a chrono.



When I enlarge your photo, I can't see any pushers. Might be the same 3 hander, but hard to say because the photo isn't very good.

 

[Hawk]

j'ai des photos d'une trois aiguilles cadran noir voir dernière photo (le reflet le donne parfois blanc) au GP de France 1992 quand il se dispute avec Schumacher qui l'avait sorti.

I have pics 3 hands with black dial (look white on some pics but it's the light) French GP 92 when Ayrton discuss with Schumacher who pushed him out of the track

 

[Hawk]

For the steel band, I have another pic but we can't see the dial or the case : chrono or not ...

 

[Hawk]

I have also this picture but it seems more a 2000 series

 

[Hawk]

and here is a Sel three hands clearly

 

[Hawk]

Berger is see here with a Sel chrono black dial on steel band

View attachment 1784176

 

[Mspeedster]

Thanks. But by better pictures, I meant a clear high-resolution photo. I've looked at hundreds of Senna photos wearing different watches. To make a positive ID, with high certainty, the watch either needs to be close up, or the photo in very high resolution.

Hawk

I have also this picture but it seems more a 2000 series

That one might be the black dial 2000 chrono that I identified here:
https://tagheuerforums.com/threads/...ppreciation-thread.155112/page-2#post-2196112

 

[Hawk]

Mspeedster

Thanks. But by better pictures, I meant a clear high-resolution photo. I've looked at hundreds of Senna photos wearing different watches. To make a positive ID, with high certainty, the watch either needs to be close up, or the photo in very high resolution.


That one might be the black dial 2000 chrono that I identified here:
https://tagheuerforums.com/threads/...ppreciation-thread.155112/page-2#post-2196112

Maybe but , are you sure there is sub dials in gold ? or maybe it's this model

 

[Mspeedster]

Hawk

Maybe but , are you sure there is sub dials in gold ? or maybe it's this model

Yes you're right, doesn't seem to have gold subdials. But again, those photos aren't very clear. It might not even be a TAG Heuer.