Renowned watchmaker, Tag Heuer celebrates 160 years of fine watchmaking with the release of two iconic timepieces.
CARRERA 160 YEARS SILVER LIMITED EDITION
In 1860, TAG Heuer – known as Heuer at the time – was founded by Edouard Heuer in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. Since then, much has changed but the brand’s commitment to innovation and avant-garde watchmaking has remained constant. One collection that deserves special mention on the company’s 160th anniversary this year is most definitely the TAG Heuer Carrera line, which features iconic chronographs that have carried the brand’s racing heritage and daring spirit through the decades.
The history of Carrera dates back to 1962, when then- CEO Jack Heuer heard the story of the legendary Carrera Panamericana, one of the most treacherous road races in the world. The word “carrera”, which in Spanish means any and all of road, race, career and course, caught his attention. He knew immediately that this would be the perfect name for a new timepiece. The following year, the first Heuer Carrera chronographs left the factory.
As a lover of modern and clean design, Jack Heuer wanted the aesthetics of the Heuer Carrera chronograph to be pure and well-proportioned – features that make the watch perfect for drivers who need to see the time at a glance during adrenaline-pumping races. The renowned monochrome silver-dial model of 1964, with its three azurage counters and starburst silver-coloured dial, is a prime choice to honour the 160th anniversary of the brand. Often referred to as “2447S”, this model is now being reintroduced with some 21st-century updates.
The new stainless-steel chronograph features many of the same design highlights as its predecessor, such as an eternally elegant dial and polished case and pushers. However, the shape is slightly different and the timepiece now measures 39mm instead of the original 36mm. The permanent second indicator is at 6 o’clock instead of 9 due to the difference in the construction of the Valjoux 72 movement from 1963 and today’s Heuer 02 movement. This sophisticated in-house innovation is entirely Swiss- made in TAG Heuer’s Chevenez manufacture. It 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.
Another difference is the shape of the central hour and minute hands, which are now faceted and coated in beige Super-Luminova. The unmistakable Carrera name and HEUER shield are printed on the dial, which is protected by a domed sapphire crystal that gives the watch a retro appearance reminiscent of the original Heuer Carrera.
Presented on a black alligator strap, this special anniversary model is limited to 1,860 pieces – a nod to the year that Heuer was founded – with the edition number engraved on the case-back. The redesigned oscillating weight, visible through the screwed-down sapphire crystal, is also adorned with a lacquer-filled engraving that distinguishes the timepiece as an anniversary edition.
CARRERA 160 YEARS MONTREAL LIMITED EDITION
The inspiration behind this limited-edition anniversary timepiece stems from the idea of fusing the designs and DNA of two iconic TAG Heuer watches – the Heuer Carrera and the Heuer Montreal. The new TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edition of 1,000 pieces is directly inspired by the 1972 White Heuer Montreal, reference 110503W. Today, it is an exceedingly rare collector’s item. For the anniversary model, TAG Heuer drew inspiration from the original, perfectly balanced red, yellow and blue colour palette of the White Heuer Montreal. The bright dial is emblematic of the 1970s, when watch design was transformed by the ability to use coloured luminescent materials; this invention opened-up a fantastic new era of creativity, especially for Heuer.
These stories and designs from the 1960s and 1970s all merge on the matte white dial of this 39mm special anniversary timepiece, which holds three stunning blue “azurage” counters. The chronograph minute counter at 3 o’clock stands out with three curved lines from 1 to 5, 10 to 15, and 20 to 25 that are coloured with yellow Super-LumiNova. The same yellow Super-LumiNova is also found on the central minute and hour hands, while the central chronograph seconds hand features a distinctively different bold red lacquer.
Similar to the Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition, the watch is powered by the brand’s state-of-the-art Calibre Heuer 02 manufacture movement. The dial is protected by a domed “glassbox” sapphire crystal. The polished stainless- steel timepiece is paired with a blue alligator leather strap, reflecting the splash of colour on the dial. The unique limited- edition number of each piece is engraved on the case-back, where the innovative Calibre Heuer 02 and its dedicated oscillating mass are visible through the sapphire crystal.
