A cornerstone of the brand since 1963, the Heuer Carrera takes a sharp turn to mark its 55th spring outing at Baselworld. The new Heuer 02 Calibre manufacture movement, a 43 mm modular case, a tachymeter bezel, a skeleton dial with 3-6-9 counters, this flagship model is powered by the 02 Caliber movement.
The new TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 is available in no less than 13 contemporary variants in steel, carbon, ceramic or gold with a metal, rubber, leather or ceramic bracelet, plus a 45 mm version with GMT function.
“When it came to designing the new TAG Heuer Carrera, we were faced with a choice between a vintage inspired piece and a modern reworking. We opted for the latter. At TAG Heuer, all of our energy goes into designing the watches of the future. We innovate by anticipating the desires of tomorrow’s consumers.”
Jean-Claude Biver, CEO, TAG Heuer
The collection takes its name from the legendary week-long “Carrera Panamericana” road race held in Mexico during the 1950s, a thrilling competition revived in 1988 as an annual rally for pre-1955 collectors’ vehicles, and for which TAG Heuer is both partner and Official Timekeeper.
The first Heuer Carrera chronograph, designed in 1963 for drivers, was an immediate international success thanks to the revolutionary design of its dial. For the first time, the ring securing the dial on the case featured the seconds scale, resulting in a larger display and improved legibility. Its specifications were based on well-established rules for ergonomics and clarity: the ridged crown enabled daily winding by hand, the push-buttons were easy to move, and the broad, minimalist dial featured clear indexes and sub-divisions, and slightly recessed counters.
In 1969, the Heuer Carrera was launched in an automatic version equipped with the famous calibre 11 with micro-rotor; at the time, Heuer was one of the few manufacturers capable of designing and producing such an innovative self-winding chronograph.
Under the leadership of Jack Heuer, the brand again made its name as a pioneer by becoming the first watch company to sponsor Formula 1. Several well-known drivers chose to become ambassadors by wearing a Heuer Carrera chronograph.
Heuer 02 caliber
The skeleton dial with sapphire case-back is a characteristic feature of the more recent TAG Heuer Carrera models. It reveals the in-house Heuer 02 calibre. It incorporates 168 components, including a column wheel and a vertical clutch – signature Haute Horlogerie features. This mechanical movement oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz and has an 80-hour power reserve stored in a single barrel. It has been specifically designed in an industrial production context, and with the aim of simplifying the assembly and after-sales service operations.
Chapter 55
To celebrate the anniversary of the Heuer Carrera, TAG Heuer has issued a special edition book called Ahead of its time. Recounting the highlights of this signature collection and the models that have made its status. This 4500-piece edition is available in the brand’s boutiques, and can be ordered directly online in certain markets.
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