TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph

In 1962, CEO at the time Jack Heuer heard the story of the legendary Carrera Panamericana race. The word Carrera, Spanish for “road”, “race”, “career” and “course”, caught his attention, and he knew immediately that it would be a perfect name for a new timepiece. The following year, the first TAG Heuer Carrera chronographs left the factory. The TAG Heuer Carrera is Jack Heuer’s proudest creation. The bold and confident design reflects his passion for action and his understanding that, in racing as elsewhere, legibility is crucial. Supremely reliable and exceptionally elegant, it became the instrument of choice for driving legends such as Jo Siffert and the entire Scuderia Ferrari.

As a lover of clean, modern design, Jack Heuer wanted the aesthetics of the TAG Heuer Carrera chronograph to be clean and well-proportioned — features that make the watch perfect for drivers who need to see the time at a glance during high-octane races. Decades later, this new take on the Carrera takes the collection back to the roots of its unique history with a timeless design that is complemented by outstanding performance.

The sporty chronographs presented are refined and timeless, yet still bold and striking. They embody the spirit of endurance. With shorter lugs for enhanced comfort, the 44 mm stainless-steel case features alternating polished and fine-brushed finishes that make the watch appear sleeker and thinner. The improved integration of the glass and the slight bevel also improve its aesthetics.

The dial of the new TAG Heuer Carrera has a circular brushed finish and is available in deep blue with a matching ceramic bezel, muted olive green with a stainless-steel bezel or one of two black versions, each with a sleek, black ceramic bezel. The flange is bevelled and the indexes slant towards the centre of the dial, drawing the wearer’s eye to the time and allowing them to read it at a glance. The three subdials are perfectly legible, as is the date window at 6 o’clock. The hour counter at 9 o’clock now features the numerals 12, 4 and 8, offering a visual balance to the minute counter at 3 o’clock. The new H-shaped bracelet is thinner, making it slightly lighter and more ergonomic.

The standout piece from these sporty new models is the black and rose gold TAG Heuer Carrera. The black ceramic bezel is filled with rose-gold-coloured lacquer — a first for the luxury watchmaker —, and the crown and push buttons are made from solid 18K rose gold. The oscillating weight of the movement, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, is fashioned from black PVD-coated brass with rose gold printing. This timepiece is worn on a classic black leather strap.

The redesigned models are powered by the Calibre Heuer 02 movement, visible through the transparent case back. This sophisticated in-house innovation is entirely Swiss-made in TAG Heuer’s Chevenez manufacture. This movement comprises 168 components, including a column wheel and a vertical clutch — signatures of improved chronograph timekeeping and high-quality manufacture movements —, and boasts an impressive power reserve of 80 hours.