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Question Time: Should You Buy The New TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox 39mm Chronograph Watch In Yellow Gold?

Coldplay may have sung, “It was all Yellow”, but they missed out the glory of gold! Yellow gold has been around since the dawn of civilization, worn by Kings and Pharaohs to the latest celebrities in the modern era like Neymar who boldly wore a gold Rolex Datejust ladies variation as spotted during his attendance at the Monaco Grand Prix.

What if we were to tell you that TAG Heuer has combined the illustrious material with their astonishing Carrera Collection? That’s right, they have beautified their eminent sporty collection with a fresh styling for its 60th anniversary.

The collection may have begun way back in 1963, when Beatlemania was kicking off worldwide and John F. Kennedy delivered his infamous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech.

But we are not saying Auf Wiedersehen to the collection yet as it has been a roaring part of the brand's lineup for the best part of six decades…right up to the modern era. Worn by eclectic clientele like Mick Jagger and Ryan Gosling, the Swiss outfit has equipped the social greats with an incredible array of watches, jam packed with horological legacy.

However, it’s not as if they have been particularly quiet this year. Releasing the fantastic Chronosprint X Porsche recently, a spray of newly skeletonised Monaco watches and a beautiful Carrera Tourbillon, they have almost been too busy! And we have been too spoiled for choice if you are looking to buy a TAG Heuer.

Combining gold with an iconic collection so steeped in heritage that it makes the Rolling Stones seem like a K-Pop band. This classic range of watches is kinda like your Golden Retriever…it’ll never let you down. So now it’s about time we got into the thrilling new 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph…in gold.

Introduction To The 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph

The TAG Heuer Carrera has bolted through the horological aeons with enough style and timekeeping panache to remain relevant in the modern era.

Ronnie Peterson mode, Source - Facebook

First introduced in 1963, the collection was inspired by the great Panamericana car race. Running for five fantastic years of sporting thrills, chills and spills, this open border race took on the depths of unwittingly tough Mexican terrain with nothing but racers and their machines.

At the helm was the legendary leader Jack Heuer who took charge of the company in 1962. The brand had already built up a great reputation of being associated with racing legends including making dashboard clocks and sports timers.

It assures maximum legibility, including faceted lugs, applied markers and sub-dials that are slightly stepped to showcase the watches legibility. But how good were the watches technically? Well, they brought in the first ever automatic Swiss chronograph movements during the 1970s. How’s about that for starters!

The collection was deemed dead during the Quartz Crisis until the watches relaunched in 1996. So, the collection has been actively utilising the sublime crystal design, especially in 2015 when the brand started developing sapphire crystal over the dial as opposed to the older plastic crystal versions used in the 60s.

Gold, TAG Heuer and racing have always been interconnected in some way. Take for example the Monaco Sale ‘Les Grandes Marques a Monaco. In 1972, Ronnie Peterson was presented with a chronograph at the 1972 German Grand Prix by Jack Heuer. Crafted out of 18K gold, the piece featured an inscription on the caseback 'Success. Ronnie Peterson from Jack W Heuer.'

One of the most desirable pieces from the motorsport world, this is the ultimate racer's piece, especially since it's associated with legend Ronnie Peterson. Niki Lauda is another fine example of a man that thoroughly enjoys his gold watches. Niki Lauda opted to wear an 18K gold Heuer 1158 CHN which he received as a member of the Ferrari Formula One Team.

What Is The TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Design?

Taking inspiration from their very first models, its design prioritises legibility due to the magnified effect from the crystal. Furthermore, the actual sapphire crystal forms the “glass” aspect of the word, while the “box” is created from the crystal's dome.

They certainly love this particular aesthetic, as around 10 variations of the design have been released since 2015. In 2021, a beautiful variation was unveiled with a stunning teal coloured dial and a heritage fitting 39mm case. Following the motorsport colour of the past, it’s nice to see that they are tipping their horological hat one more time to the golden age of racing before we enter 2024.

What if we were to tell you that this racing icon gets the first place medal… crafted entirely out of gold?

Without further backstory, let's pass judgement on the new 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph, in all its glorious yellow gold makeup.

Construction Of The 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph

Like a great Samurai warrior or Japanese Kensei, the brand respects the traditions of the past (afs noted thanks to this 60th anniversary piece). But they also know when to add a new lease of life to reinvigorate a catalogue giant.

Source - Brand’s Site

Crafted entirely out of 19K 3N yellow gold across both the case and the dial. 39mm is the ideal size as it relates to the direct sizing of the collection from the 1960s. In essence, it means they can keep the heritage of the collection while offering a modern aesthetic for those wanting to buy a watch with more slimmer wrist estate.

The model has a 39mm x 13.9mm thick, we like the fact it does not sit too cumbersome on the arm when compared to other watches such as The Rolex DeepSea James Cameron 126660 (44mm x 17.7mm), The Panerai California (47mm x 16mm) and The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe (43mm x 13.45mm)

On the sides, the watches have two solid gold pushers located at 2 and 4 o’clock. Between them sits an equally precious solid gold crown that's serrated rather sizably to allow for easy turnability.

The case combines both polishing and a very soft brushed aesthetic to show both the sporty design of the collection and the dressy theme of this precious material. The caseback isn’t screwed in which allows for an exhibition view into the complexities of the movement

Now for the extremely iconic crystal that follows on from the plastic variants used in the 1960s and 70s. Constructed out of sapphire and following an astonishing curvature that creeps over the edge of the dial, this new timepiece beautifully melds in with the case.

Meanwhile, the crystal aesthetic allows for the bezel’s sporty tachymetric scale to be exposed at every conceivable angle. The crystal is coated with anti-reflective coatings on both sides. The bezel is similarly made out of gold and the tachymetric scale is made up of impactful black markings.

The watch's dial face is made out of an 18K yellow gold plate in keeping with the design throughout the piece. However, we feel they don't keep things that simple by opting for a matte finish.

It seems that they have decided to go for a vertically brushed finish that allows for the applied hour markers and sword style hands to be promoted. The hour markers feature small black lines that run through the middle, and the hands are generously filled with Super-Luminova.

The sub-dials are black azuré shaded and based at 3 and 9 o’clock. Showing the minutes at 3 o’clock and the hour at 9 o’clock, the seconds indicator is positioned at 6 o’clock, making it less visible as it negates the black background with small black markers. Keep your eyes peeled for the small white date aperture located at 6 o’clock.

Technical Features Of The 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph

They released their first in-house chronograph calibre back in 2010. Now, they have continued to develop the technical elements of these luxury watches, resulting in the bolstering of these high quality movements!

Source - Brand’s Site

Powered by the TH20-00 automatic, in-house movement, this ensures they can make the very best calibre possible within their own expertise.

Pulsating at 28,800 VpH, it features hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph function with ¼ second, 30 minute counter, 12 hour counter and date aperture at 6 o’clock. Furthermore, we cannot get enough of the sterling 80 hour power reserve giving you plenty of time for that overseas business trip or weekend trip with the gents.

What’s Our View Of The 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph?

The clock is ticking but here’s our viewpoint. It opts to leave no stone unturned when it comes to boasting the celebratory collection.

Source - Brand’s Site

They have set the barometer again in producing another piece of highly respected horology with as much racing heritage as The Tudor Alinghi Red Bull Racing model, with enough luxury and timelessness as The Rolex Day-Date.

Kudos must go to its beautiful champagne gold dial and case as worn by high-flying executive Blake in Glengarry Glen Ross! Be it through the glorious vertical brushed dial and the dazzling construction, they competently have hit the timekeeping nail on the head, blending the tachymetric scale and black sub-dials.

The parts that need legibility are dosed to the max with Super-Luminova and the segments that need to look sharp are either finished with aplomb or shining with precious metal glories.

The highly modern 39mm case is perfectly versatile for the man about town or for those devoted timelords searching for special occasion wristwatches. Luxury and sporty allure go hand in hand and can be paired with a sharp brown suede jacket when arriving at a less formal social event or jazzed up for a smarter occasion...

Fitted with an in-house movement, it’s a TAG Heuer model through and through that many will never get tired of. These boys don’t need to rely on anyone! The black leather strap is the perfect complement to the watches, especially since it links in with the black sub dials effortlessly.

Making a criticism is pretty hard, but if we were to state one, we would suggest that maybe they could’ve chosen a different precious metal to use. After all, they used gold in the previous ref. WAR2140.FC8159, released around 2017.

Maybe take a note out of A. Lange & Söhne’s book with their brand new Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum Watches?

Other Specs Of The New 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph

For those constantly on the run, let’s take time out below to show the important stats of this new timepiece.

Reference Numbers	Dial Colour	Strap	Material
CBS2240.FC8319	Gold	Leather strap	18K 3N Yellow Gold

Movement	TH20-00 - In-House Automatic Movement
Functions	Hours, Minutes, Seconds, 1/4 second, 30 minutes counter, 12 hours counter, Date
Case Back	Exhibition Case Back
Water Resistance	100 metres
Case Thickness	13.9mm
Diameter	39mm
Crystal	Sapphire
COSC Certified?	No
Power Reserve	80 hours
Jewels	33
Bracelet/Strap Material	Leather Strap
Limited Edition	No
Lug to Lug	46mm

Where Can You Buy A New 39mm TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph

As of October 2023, you can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Chronograph at retail for £18,750 at the time of writing.

Conclusion

Now, Timelords. Should you take the leap and buy a new Glassbox Chronograph 39mm? Well, we’ve studied the stats and got our timekeeping chimps to work on the sums to come to the conclusion that yes…you should certainly consider buying one! Although, unlike Willy Wonka, you won’t need a golden ticket as this timepiece is not a limited edition run.

Boasting an incredible history, the brand takes things back to the collections starting with a brand new lease of life for the design. If you happen to be so moved that you are now actively looking to buy it, why not contact Chrono Hunter here to buy or sell the smart way. Enjoy multiple offers through our site or via our dedicated app from our established network of luxury retailers and benefit from an exceptionally experienced team that knows their horological beans.

Continuing on the great legacy of the collection, the Swiss powerhouse has gone above and beyond to modernise this new piece with a fresh material and a high powered - 80 hour power reserve movement. They do know how to give a collection a fresh design.

Don’t be fooled however. There are still the classic two sub-dial designs, gorgeous tachymetric scale and sporty baton hour markers that have long been a staple of this specific catalogue collection. Plus, they do know when to add a spice of luxury too, including the introduction of gold material throughout, showcasing endless style with a sporty chic twinge.

For us this is another gold star for the La Chaux-de-Fonds brand. And if your mind has ceased to include nothing but luxury watches, we may have the only platform to get the ideal antidote you desire…

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Can't wait to get your hands on a new Glassbox 39mm Chronograph? Want to be flash when living fast or shaking hands with the CEO? Why not learn a thing or two and talk to Chrono Hunter here. With a quick turnaround, peerless service and a strong portfolio of verified luxury retailers, check out our first class Trustpilot reviews to see why we are your go-to source to buy a watch or sell a watch.

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