Dubai, UAE, February 18, 2018:  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.'-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. 

 

'The Heuer Carrera era was when the brand really took off, becoming the first watchmaking sponsor in the world of motor racing. This move – a true stroke of genius – was followed by numerous brands, and its success continues today, some 50 years later.'  - Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer

 

 

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.

 

'The modern TAG Heuer Carrera is a decisive model for TAG Heuer, and the fact that the Connected Modular is inspired by its aesthetics and motifs further illustrates the brand's desire to make it a flagship piece.' -Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer

 

 

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 singe 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

 

 

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 online in certain markets.

 

 

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: 

                  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.