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TAG Heuer's New Launch Details 2023 - Carrera Chronograph 42mm, Aquaracer Professional 200 Bi-Metal & Gold

Evoking the brand’s competitive spirit, TAG Heuer loves a good racing timepiece. And none more so than their heavily inspired Carrera collection. For example, their bejewelled Carrera Plasma launched at Watches and Wonders 2023 equates to 15.5 carats worth of lab grown diamonds... a phenomenal feat of engineering and craftsmanship. Outside of the legendary Carrera collection, TAG Heuer have also been developing their Aquaracer collections, creating models which blend colours perfectly. It's been a very exciting time for the Swiss brand. Without further ado, let's get straight into the new novelties!

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 42mm - New Releases

The Carrera Chronograph has seen a few new updates during Watches and Wonders 2023. Suffice to say, their third launch, the Carrera Chronograph 42mm was received with rapturous applause. It comfortably takes the user back to the original 1963 Carrera which is offered in either blue or black dials in a sizable 42mm stainless steel case.

History

1963 saw the release of two giants in their respective industries, the Carrera and the Porsche 911. The Carrera has its 60th birthday this year and with it the Glassbox Chronograph was unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2023, signalling a wonderful tribute to the pure timelessness of the model.

Carrera Chronograph - Source - TAG Heuer

Named after the adrenaline fuelled races of the Carrera Pannamericana race in 1950, Jack Heuer decided to craft a model which could relate to such high octane driving and as such, the Heuer Carrera 2447 was released. You might say he changed time in an instant through this iconic piece. Essentially, it was purpose built for driving, taking away the need for refinement or elegance and instead focusing on legibility, which is why it came in a 36mm steel case with applied markers and clear sub dials. These were released in 1970 and saw updates such as new Valjoux movements and eventually the highly revered calibre 11. For those who don't know, the calibre 11 would be one of the first automatic Swiss chronograph movements to grace horological circles.

The Carrera collection was discontinued in 1984 due to financial trouble from the Quartz Crisis and the company was sold. The Carrera would later reappear in 1996 in the form of the reference 2447 which retained the uncluttered design of the original model. In the contemporary era, the collection has been updated countless times from the dial colour to the movement. The model is just as well established today as it was back then.

Design

Crafted in both a black dial and blue dial with matching straps, the two models follow the same design codes as their predecessors stemming back to 1963. The models are made from polished stainless steel with sporty chronograph pushers and a bulky crown.

Carrera Chronograph - Source - TAG Heuer

Curiously, there’s no tachymetric scale which we associate on racing timepieces like the Rolex Daytona, rather a minute track which can be seen circling around the flange. The eagle eyed among us will also see that it is slightly angled which helps to increase the legibility of the tiny markers on the track. The dial is given a sunray effect which looks especially good on the blue dial due to its ability to change from a darker to a light blue sheen. The orange gradient track looks fantastic on both however and makes this year's edition of the Carrera stand out from its predecessors.

This isn't the only element of colour either. Take for example the orange seconds hand which contrasts superbly with the dial and allows for complete legibility. The hour and minute hands are more subtle in their rhodium plated finish which gives the model the design of a rev counter with the one bright orange hand. The Azurage sub dials at 3 and 9 o'clock are visible due to the hands being a vibrant red. While not being tremendously big, the sub dials are very present on the model and don't disappear into the blue or black dial background. The colour scheme throughout the models is both vibrant and intense.

The indexes are applied and rhodium plated as well as the hands which are dosed with a solid amount of Super-LumiNova. The date function rests at 6 o'clock and is conjoined with the small seconds counter which is also present at 6 o'clock. For the blue dial edition, its background is white and for the black edition, the background is black. The calfskin leather strap is high quality and matches the dial colour perfectly in both instances, allowing the model to be seamless in its design due to the blue strap matching the blue dial and the black strap matching the black dial.

Technicalities

Powered by the strong Calibre Heuer 02, the model beats at a reliable 4Hz and gives a very strong power reserve of 80 hours. Sufficient for a long weekend away or that long awaited skiing trip to Mont Blanc.

Carrera Chronograph - Source - TAG Heuer

The calibre must be tough if it wants to power the hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph functions of the ¼ seconds, 30 minutes counter, 12 hours counter plus the date. It's handy that we can see all these fantastic functions through the sapphire caseback which is still tough enough to endure your everyday bumps and scrapes.

Final Thoughts

The Carrera Chronograph 42mm brings a new lease of life to the very successful Carrera line. By imbuing the new models with colour in the gradient track and the seconds hand, the timepiece is very visible and certainly ensures its appeal with enthusiasts. We believe that if you don the blue edition with a navy suit, it could easily be passed for a casual model but if you want to dress things up, get a crisp white shirt on to let the blue or black do the talking. The model has the potential to be an investment piece due to its differing style from its predecessors. The timepiece is both refined, yet sporty, allowing the wearer to use this model as a multi purpose piece or everyday driver. It's certainly one to watch!

You can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph for £5,000 RRP - at the time of writing.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 - Bi-Metal & Gold Versions

The Aquaracer is one of their dive orientated models and is revered just as much as their racing collection. Available in a variety of options and colours, the brand has updated the collection once again.

History

They have a rich history of sailing the seven seas. Stemming as far back as 1895, the brand has been involved with all things nautical, creating the world's first waterproof pocket watch in this time. This feat would be replicated with the creation of the first waterproof wristwatch with a square case in 1969 in the form of the notorious Monaco. In 1949, the Heuer Solunar was released, the first model which gave a tide indication as well as the Heuer Mareograph-Seafarer, introduced in 1950 as the first chronograph to determine the tide and regatta indication through a counter.

Professional 200 - Source - TAG Heuer

The vintage Professional Series 2000 was produced in 1982 and utilised a screw in crown with a solid water resistance of 300m as well as a turning bezel; a staple of diving models. In 2002, the Aquagraph was released and it was tested by Navy Seals and was able to reach a depth of 500 metres. The Aquaracer was released in 2003 and blends both the superb functions of dive pieces with a fresh design which suits the modern aesthetic. In 2009, the collection was released and reached an impressive depth of 500 metres. It would be later updated in 2010 wherein a chronograph edition was launched. Nowadays, the Aquaracer has gone from strength to strength and looks fantastic with the new utilisation of precious metals.

Design

There have been a few new additions to this lineup, released to thirsty horophiles during Watches and Wonders 2023 and superbly incorporating precious metals into the design.

Professional 200 - Source - TAG Heuer

The Aquaracer has been typically created out of steel and sometimes titanium. This is predominantly due to its status as a tool piece to help you reach the depths of the sea or be the perfect everyday model for those who aren't diving 200+ metres. Its change to precious metals such as 18K 3N Yellow Gold to 5N Rose Gold shows their change to more casual timepieces. They are focusing more on making the tool models increasingly professional for use in office settings or more formal events. If done well, The Aquaracer can serve as a multipurpose piece but if done poorly, the timepiece can come across haphazardly like it doesn't really belong in either world.

Luckily, The brand mastered this and made the pieces look sublime. More and more timepieces are being released in a bi-metal design too meaning the models in precious metals are more accessible to the average buyer, unlike the fully 18K yellow gold model. As we’ve seen through the latest Tudor Pelagos, dive watches are starting to shrink in size again to appease those looking for a more slimmed down sexier look on the wrist. This is why although there are some editions at 40mm, there are a few that also come in at 30mm - a pretty sizable 10mm difference.

The rose gold or yellow gold bi colour editions have the relevant precious metal insert on the bezel and matching crown. While this may make The Aquaracer seem a little garish as the bezel and crown stand out against the stainless steel case, the watch makes up for it by keeping both hands and indices the same colour as the precious metals. The dial faces on the Aquaracer are given horizontal slices which stand out markedly against the fumé sunburst finish. The Aquaracer gold editions have a blue dial with blue rubber strap while the rose gold editions have a grey dial with black rubber strap.

The 30mm editions are a little more classy with diamond indices and a mother-of-pearl finish on the dial which keeps the dial cleaner and lets the diamonds really resonate. The 18K yellow gold edition and 18K rose gold timepieces obviously negate the stainless steel aspects, instead going all out in their respective materials. Both Aquaracer gold editions measure 40mm which is fine but we would’ve enjoyed a pair of 30mm editions too to really push forwards with the ‘dive-casual’ style.

Technicalities

The 40mm and 30mm bi-metal models utilise the calibre 9 automatic which offer a power reserve of 40 hours as well as a steady beat of 4Hz. Combine this with the functions of the hours, minutes, seconds and date, this Aquaracer should be more than capable of giving accurate readings.

Aquaracer Professional 200 - Source - TAG Heuer

The fully 18K yellow and rose gold editions use the new calibre TH31-00 which houses double the amount of power reserve at 80 hours with a steady beat of 28,800VpH. Suffice to say, you are paying more for even better! But like we say, you get what you pay for.

Final Thoughts

In keeping with the times by making dive watches that are a little bit smaller to suit the modern user, the brand has impressed us with their new releases. People simply aren't buying watches anymore on looks alone as brands are responding by making pieces that are smaller but more accessible as an everyday driver. The Aquaracer versions in either yellow or rose gold are pricey admittedly but don't feature the precious metal plated inserts. It’s the real full monty with these boys! That doesn't mean that the bi-metal editions aren't worth your time either. For many aficionados, these are more affordable choices to help you get your foot into the luxury market. Undoubtedly investment pieces due to their precious metal quantities and foresight into the future of dive timepieces, these models can be paired with most outfits, from a T-shirt and jeans to a buttoned up Tux.

You can buy a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bi-Metal in Yellow Gold or Rose gold at 30mm for £4,100, the 40mm editions for £4,400 and the blinged out gold editions for £16,050 - at the time of writing.

Conclusion

Geneva has been a result for the brand with a few new exciting pieces from Watches and Wonders 2023. From the Aquaracer in gold and bi-metal to the 60 year tribute of The Carrera Chronograph, it cleverly takes the design and makes it more casual with a jolt of colour. This should be more than enough incentive to buy a TAG Heuer Carrera as part of a new or developing collection. The Aquaracer editions are quite experimental. Through utilising precious metals and shrinking the size of some of the models, the watches are interesting and offer a new lease of life for the Aquaracer collection. The solid precious metal editions are a nice touch too as it shows that they are really going for making their dive watches durable and attractive. Nice job, guys!

Want to buy a TAG Heuer and take the plunge? Feeling the desire to race away with your new racing watch? Chrono Hunter is here to help. We seek to ensure you get the best value for and ensure you save money the smart way. By utilising our expansive selection of luxury watch retailers, we can offer you the best options to keep you beaming like a beautiful Carrera Plasma. Allow Chrono Hunter to get the ball rolling for you. With the ability to receive offers in less than 24 hours, why not download our app or get in contact with Chrono Hunter here to buy a TAG Heuer with consummate ease. There’s no time like the present!

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