Only those living a very sheltered existence could have failed to notice that TAG Heuer is celebrating a very important milestone this year, with the company’s iconic Carrera model celebrating its 60th birthday.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph - Credit TAG Heuer
To mark the occasion, there have been a number of retro releases throughout the year, starting with the famed ‘glassbox’ that was shown off at Watches and Wonders. Since then, there have been several more iterations that mark the company’s long-standing association with motorsport in general and Porsche specifically – which adopted the Carrera name nearly 50 years ago to describe some of its most celebrated models.
Interestingly, the commercial relationship between TAG Heuer and Porsche was only formalised in 2021, but the links between the two companies go back much longer. It’s no coincidence that fictional Porsche driver Michael Delaney, played by Steve McQueen, made the Monaco famous when he wore it in the Le Mans movie, released in 1971.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph - Credit TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer are masters when it comes to variations on a theme, and if you think that the latest Carrera looks familiar, that’s because it does; reprising the much-loved chronograph layout, encased in the famous ‘glassbox’, that has been seen in many other releases. The chronograph, of course, is a TAG Heuer speciality, as Heuer was the very first company to release an automatic chronograph, in 1969.
This time though, it’s in yellow gold – the colour of victory – to mark the conclusion of the Carrera’s birthday celebrations, complete with a gold-plated dial to match.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph - Credit TAG Heuer
It adds a very different look to the much-loved 39mm Carrera: another dimension of sophistication to a watch whose origins are firmly rooted in utility. Inside, there’s the TH20-00 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve.
You can get it with a gold mesh bracelet as well as a black calfskin leather ‘rally’ strap to perfectly complement the 1960s vibe, with the black subdials evoking the quintessential ‘panda’ look synonymous with this style of racing watch. Of course, being a gold watch, it doesn’t come cheap at around £19,000. But for that, you get the horological equivalent of a victory lap from a true racing legend.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph - Credit TAG Heuer
Movement
- Calibre TH20-00 Automatic
Dial
- 18K 3N yellow gold-plated vertical brushed dial
- 18K 3N yellow gold-plated flange with 60 second / minute scale 3 counters:
- - 3 o’clock: black “azuré” minute chronograph counter; 18K 3N yellow gold-plated hand
- - 6 o’clock: 18K 3N yellow gold-plated permanent second indicator; black lacquered hand
- - 9 o’clock: black “azuré” hour chronograph counter;
- 18K 3N yellow gold-plated hand 18K 3N yellow gold-plated facetted, polished hour and minute hands with white
- Super- LumiNova®
- Black lacquered central hand
- Black TAG HEUER printed logo
- 6 o’clock date
- CARRERA SWISS printed
Case
- 39 mm diameter
- 18K 3N solid yellow gold fine-brushed, polished case
- Glassbox domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
- 18K 3N solid yellow gold standard crown at 3 o’clock
- Fine brushed, polished 18K 3N solid yellow gold round push button at 2 o’clock
- Fine brushed, polished 18K 3N solid yellow gold round push button at 4 o’clock
- 18K 3N yellow gold screw-down sapphire caseback
- Water resistance: 100 meters
Bracelet
- Perforated black calfskin leather strap
- Fine brushed, polished 18K 3N yellow gold pin buckle, TAG Heuer shield
Dimensions
- Lug-to-lug: 46.0 mm
- Thickness: 13.9 mm
Availability November 2023
