The next chapter of TAG Heuer’s collaboration with Japanese streetwear creative Hiroshi Fujiwara has been revealed, and it’s the TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Heuer 02 Chronograph.
Minimalist retro-modern
This timepiece is easily identified as a work of Fujiwara’s not least because of the Fragment Design signature at 12 o’clock. Beyond this one can also recognise his deft touch – what’s essential has been retained, but almost every other superfluous detail has been stripped from this watch. Note the minimalist black opaline dial, for instance, which forms a background against which the white hands and markings pop out in stark contrast. Meanwhile, red details lend a dash of colour to what’s otherwise an extremely clean design. Interesting, the sapphire case back tells a different visual story – it’s tinted red to offer a bold pop of colour, while also drawing parallels back to the dial.
For this timepiece, Fujiwara has designed an entirely new five-link bracelet to complement the C-case, a tonneau-like shape that first appeared in Heuer racing chronographs in the 1960s. The overall aesthetic of the watch thus has a vintage slant. The Heuer 02 calibre powering the watch, however, is anything but. This integrated chronograph movement was first introduced by TAG Heuer in 2018, but has quickly established itself as the brand’s go-to across its collections. With its vertical clutch and column wheel actuation, Heuer 02’s is capable of smooth starts and stops for its chronograph function with no backlash or hesitation in the chronograph seconds hand and good tactility to boot. Its 80-hour power reserve is also a notable technical feature; the watch can be left unworn over a weekend but remain ticking and need no adjustments on Monday morning.
Time is of the essence
The TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Heuer 02 Chronograph was previously available for pre-orders, and went on sale on 27 July. If the melding of Japanese streetwear influences with Swiss luxury watchmaking is of interest, you’d better hurry: just 500 pieces of this watch will be produced.
