Tag Heuer Carrera Heuer 02
A distinguished sporting milestone for this 1963 icon of the track. The TAG Heuer Carrera celebrated its half-century with abandon, eyes on the horizon and pedal to the metal. This automotive chronograph still clearly predominates in the annals of watchmaking success stories. Avant-garde incarnate, from the first generation in the 1960s to the new Heuer 02 line, including the ultra-modern Connected Modular. An authentic living legend, this collection now welcomes its latest addition – the new TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02, available in 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.” said Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer.
It's no coincidence that the new generation TAG Heuer Carrera has arrived at this particular moment. The chronograph has occupied pole position in the world of motor racing for 55 years. 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.
With competition in its DNA, 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 indispensable 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 legendary drivers chose to become ambassadors by wearing a Heuer Carrera chronograph.
TAG Heuer Carrera new generation
During its 50-year life, the TAG Heuer Carrera has taken various forms and incorporated numerous technical innovations to become an icon. Quintessentially avant-garde, it carries the brand's DNA, writing its history through the ages, from the minimalist version of the 1960s to the more recent mechanical and connected models. Sporty and modern, the new generation of TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 automatic chronographs features the stylish lines of the 21st century Heuer Carrera models, rendered distinctive by their modular case and bezel with tachymeter scale. And the cherry on the birthday cake – the millennial TAG Heuer Carrera has a new motor: the Heuer 02 calibre. Thus equipped, it reprises the original 3-6-9 counter layout from 1963. Chronograph minutes and hours at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, permanent small second at 6 o'clock and date window at 4.30. Punctuated with luminescent baton hands and indexes, the skeleton dial is integrated in a 43 mm diameter modular case, water-resistant to 100 metres and available in several versions – steel, carbon, ceramic or gold. A total of 13 new versions, including one with a GMT function, and a range of straps and bracelets in rubber, leather, metal or ceramic with deployant buckle.
Heuer 02 calibre
The skeleton dial with sapphire case-back is a characteristic feature of the more recent TAG Heuer Carrera models. It reveals a state-of-the-art movement designed in-house: the Heuer 02 calibre. Paired with the iconic Heuer Carrera, this automatic manufacture chronograph, developed and produced by TAG Heuer, incorporates 168 components, including a column wheel and a vertical clutch – signature Haute Horlogerie features. Modern, accurate and reliable, 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.
“It is vital for a brand specialising in chronographs to have its own chronograph movement. The Heuer 02 calibre is modern through and through, from its design, production and after-sales service to its reliability and performance.“ Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer.
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 sealed its legendary status, the book describes how the often-pioneering Heuer Carrera chronograph, which is now synonymous with the brand, became universally recognised as an icon. This 4500-piece edition is available in the brand's boutiques, and can be ordered from www.tagheuer.com in certain markets.
Tag Heuer Carrera Heuer 02
Technical details:
Reference: CBG2010.FT6144: black dial and brown leather strap; CBG2011.FC6430: blue dial and blue leather strap; CBG2051.FC6426: pink gold lugs and bezel; CBG2016.FT6161: carbon lugs and bezel; CBG2090.BH0661: full ceramic; CBG2A1Z.BA0658: 45 mm version with GMT function
Movement: Heuer 02 Automatic Chronograph calibre; Visible skeleton date disc with window at 4:30; 75-hour power reserve; GMT function on the CBG2A1Z.BA0658 model
Case: 43 mm or 45 mm diameter case in steel, covered with PVD, or in ceramic; Black or blue ceramic, pink gold or carbon bezel with tachymeter scale; Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides; Steel, 18K 5N pink gold, matt black ceramic or carbon lugs; Crown in rubber and polished steel, 5N 18K pink gold or black PVD-covered steel at 3 o'clock; Steel or black PVD-covered steel chronograph push-buttons at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock; Steel or black PVD-covered steel sapphire case-back
Dial: Blue or black skeleton dial; Black or blue flange with 60-second scale; Three counters:
- Chronograph minute counter at 3 o’clock with rhodium-plated, black gold or 5N pink gold snailed ring and lacquered red, polished black gold or polished 5N pink gold-plated hand
- Chronograph hour counter at 9 o’clock with rhodium-plated, black gold or 5N pink gold snailed ring and lacquered red, polished black gold or polished 5N pink gold-plated hand
- Small seconds counter at 6 o'clock with black gold, blue or black snailed ring and polished, rhodium-plated or 5N pink gold-plated hand
Rhodium-plated, black gold or 5N pink gold-plated hour and minute hands and indexes with white or black Super Luminova
Red, black gold or polished 5N pink gold-plated chronograph second hand
Polished rhodium-plated, black gold or 5N pink gold-plated "TAG Heuer" logo at 12 o'clock
Date window at 4:30
Inscription of "CARRERA HEUER 02 CHRONOGRAPH AUTOMATIC"
Water-resistance: 100 metres
Bracelet/strap: In rubber, brown leather and rubber, steel or matt black ceramic with S-shaped links, blue alligator leather and rubber, or matt black alligator leather and rubber
Folding buckle in steel, PVD-covered steel or Grade 2 titanium with double safety push-buttons and TAG Heuer logo.
The price for the Tag Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 starts at 5,150 CHF/5,350 USD.
