Tag Heuer’s latest Carrera pays tribute to its first wrist chronograph with a turning date disc
We may be drawing closer to the end of 2020, but Tag Heuer still has something in store for fans of the Carrera as it continues its 160th anniversary celebrations. This latest take is the final model in its Tag Heuer Carrera 160 Years series, which included the Silver Dial and the Montreal Limited Edition. This time it is looking to a revolutionary model from 1965 to inspire its distinctive design.
It takes its cues from the “Dato 45”, the first Heuer wrist chronograph to feature a turning date disc. Like this original, these new watches include the date window positioned at 12 o’clock, which presents its own unique challenges when it comes to the overall look and functionality of the watch. ‘It was fascinating – truly a privilege – to have a chance to look at all of the outstanding Carrera models when we were creating our anniversary selection,’ says Catherine Eberlé-Devaux, Tag Heuer’s heritage director. ‘The choice of the 3147N – the in-house reference for the Carrera “Dato 45” – was a bold one because it challenged our design team to create a clean, legible chronograph dial with a date window in an unusual position.’
This attention to detail comes through in the handsome and clear dial, available here in blue complete with contrasting white subdials, and white with black counters. Both feature indexes and hour and minute hands coated with Super-Luminova for enhanced legibility, as well as the signature aperture at 12 o’clock displaying the red date on a white background.
The dial is printed with the words ‘Carrera Heuer 02 80 Hours’, a nod to the powerful Heuer 02 manufacture movement that lies within. Each version is available in a limited edition of 1,860, a tribute to the year Edouard Heuer started his watchmaking workshop in the Jura Mountains, and comes delivered in a special box to mark the anniversary.
