TAG Heuer’s Carrera may be one of the most iconic watches ever made, but like every classic watch, it’s undergone some changes over the years. Jack Heuer’s original 1962 has been adapted to keep up with the times, and now it’s doing so again with four new interpretations of the original racing watch.
Don’t expect anything revolutionary here; like I said, this is a slight shift in design rather than a complete overhaul, and the specific changes echo that.
In terms of the case, this means the lugs on the 44mm models are shorter, which makes them more wearable and comfortable on the wrist. This is helped by a thinner bracelet than previous versions. Otherwise, the stainless steel case alternates between brushed and polished, which is sleeker and more stylish, but otherwise the same as before.
There are four new variations on the dial side: the standard dark blue, two black versions, and a lovely olive green. Although the olive is the nicest color, it’s the only one with a steel bezel. All the other three variations use ceramic to match the dial.
The chronograph layout hasn’t changed, but it’s slightly improved with the addition of 12, 4, and 8 digits on the chronograph hour subdial at 9 o’clock. It’s a subtle change, but balances out the minute counter.
The most interesting (besides the olive green; I like olive green) is the two-tone black and rose gold version. Not only are the crown and chronograph pushers in rose gold, but so are the numerals on the ceramic bezel. They’re engraved and filled with gold paint, like a less advanced version of Omega’s Ceragold technology.
It matches the PVD-coated, rose gold-printed rotor on the back of the movement – in all new models, this is TAG Heuer’s flagship Heuer 02 manufacture movement. At this rate, they won’t have any other chronographs, which is not a bad thing. An impressive 80-hour power reserve and a column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch are great.
These new models are an improvement on the Carrera formula that has been going on since 1962 and will continue to be around as long as the original racing watches continue to exist. Hopefully it will be many, many years before it stops.
Price and specifications:
Model name: TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 44mm Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic
Ref: CBN2A1A.BA0643 (blue); CBN2A1B.BA0643 (black); CBN2A10.BA0643 (green); CBN2A5A.FC6481 (black and rose gold)
Case/dial: 44mm diameter, stainless steel
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Calibre HEUER 02, automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 80 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Strap: Steel H-shaped bracelet or black alligator leather (black and rose gold)
Price: £4,695 and £5,395 British Pound (Black and Rose Gold)
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