Tag Heuer has just recently unveiled four new flagship models that will join their evergreen collection. These four new models come as part of Tag Heuer’s 160th anniversary celebration, where the Swiss brand has released several redesigned Carrera models this year, all carrying the in-house Calibre Heuer 02 movement. These redesigned models include the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 years Silver and Montreal Limited Edition timepieces.
The Tag Heuer Carrera range is iconic to the brand. They continually strive to develop better looking and performing models as time goes on. The Carrera range has always had a refined, sharp look that it has retained since its very first inception in 1963. Nowadays, the models, of course, use the latest technology and materials to be more modernised. However, the design is still kept to that beautiful classic drivers watch look.
Tag Heuer’s Carrera line has quite a history in the world of motor racing. It all started in 1962 when Jack Heuer (CEO at the time) heard about the story of the iconic Carrera Panamericana race. The Spanish word “Carrera” really stood out to him, which when translated means either “Road”, “Career”, “Race” or “Course”. Jack Heuer would use the word “Carrera” for a new line of racing-inspired watches that would be first produced in 1963. The CEO was indeed very proud of this creation, with the TAG Heuer Carrera becoming a highlight of his career.
This watch reflects the passion Jack Heuer had for racing, and also his understanding of what drivers required during motor sporting events. The legibility of the Tag Heuer Carrera timepiece was a crucial factor, which is why the design was bold, confident and very refined. Jack Heuer wanted the dial design to be clean and well proportioned, which would ultimately provide the drivers with easy legibility during high-octane races.
This latest creation by TAG Heuer goes back to the roots of Jack Heuer’s original Carrera pieces, as they combine the timeless design with a great movement. These four new interpretations of the TAG Heuer Carrera will be followed by another chronograph Carrera release in September, which as per TAG Heuer “will feature a distinctive design with unmistakable identity”.
The four interpretations of the latest Tag Heuer Carrera feature a 44mm polished and fine-brushed stainless-steel case that also comes with shorter lugs for more comfortable wear. To improve the aesthetics of the watches, Tag Heuer have improved the integration of the glass and the slight bevel. The differences between the four iterations of the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 44mm Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic is the aesthetics of the dial.
Three iterations of this new Carrera model feature a Rhodium-plated central hand, Rhodium plated TAG HEUER applied logo, Rhodium plated hour indexes and also hour and minute hands with white superluminova. The differences between the three are the dial and bezel colour changes. There is a black brushed dial with matching black bezel, blue brushed dial with matching blue bezel and for something a little different, a muted olive green dial with a stainless-steel bezel. All three variations feature a tri-counter “azurage” layout with a minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock position, hour chronograph counter at 9 o’clock position and constant second counter at the 6 o’clock position.
The fourth variation is one that clearly stands out from the rest as it features 18k 5N rose gold. Featuring a black brushed dial and the same tri-counter layout as the other three models, this particular model has 18K 5N rose gold used for the hour indexes, hour and minute hands, central chronograph hand and the Tag Heuer applied logo at the 12 o’clock position. 18K 5N rose gold has also been used for the hands on the three counters. To match the case with the dial, Tag Heuer have used 18K 5N rose gold for the crown and the two chronograph pushers. This model sure does stand out, but unfortunately at the cost of paying more.
Each model is down to the wearer’s personal colour preference, and Tag Heuer have done well to provide a range of colour choices to choose from. The standard bracelet choice is the steel H-shape bracelet, except for the 18K 5N rose gold edition which comes standard with a black alligator leather strap.
All four of the redesigned models are powered by Tag Heuer’s Calibre Heuer 02 movement. This movement is entirely made in-house by Tag Heuer at their Chevenez manufacture facility in Switzerland. As stated by Tag Heuer, the Calibre Heuer 02 movement features “168 components, including a column wheel and a vertical clutch – signatures of improved chronograph timekeeping and high-quality manufacture movements”. The Calibre Heuer 02 movement also boasts a very impressive 80 hours power reserve.
The Carrera range has been iconic to Tag Heuer’s brand identity since 1963, with the original 1963 Carrera model being presented as a “race-car dashboard for the wrist”. These four new iterations of the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 44mm Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic have retained the values of the original while giving it a more contemporary and refined look with a high-performance engine to match.
