TAG Heuer Carrera 160th Anniversary

To celebrate the 160th anniversary of their beloved Carrera model, TAG Heuer will be releasing a limited-edition timepiece this upcoming summer. To keep it real, this new version differs significantly on various key features of the original, but that may be a good thing. Let me describe further and let you be the judge of that.

The new anniversary Carrera by TAG Heuer comes in a 39mm stainless-steel case, with a transparent sapphire exhibition case back, which allows to view the inner workings of the mechanical movement.

It’s column wheel has been engraved with a checkered-flag pattern and the inscription: “160 YEARS OF AVANT GARDE”, followed by the logo.

This is over all case sizing is one of the first main deviations from the original Carrera that consisted of a smaller 36mm case, housing the classic Valjoux 72 mechanical hand-wound chronograph movement; unlike the more user-friendly self-winding caliber we find within this 2020 homage.

It also comes equipped with two steel push-pieces to operate the chronograph functions, plus a riveted setting-crown engraved with the Heuer logo. All topped by a sapphire crystal that assists with water-resistance on this watch reaching up to 100 meters (330 feet); which is a significant boost compared to its predecessors threshold.

Time is exhibited on a silver dial with a subtle sunburst finish, plus hour index markers, followed by a ring of black seconds and thicker minute index markers circling around the periphery of the dial.

There are three contrasting silver-toned circular-grained sub-dials: a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a sub-seconds at 6 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at the 9 o’clock position.

It also includes a black steeled central chronograph hand, which can be activated to keep track and time laps at any racetrack you may venture towards. The stainless-steel central hands and hour index markers have been coated with a patina-toned luminescent coating, for an enhanced legibility.

The “TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition” (Ref#: CBK221B.FC6479) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber Heuer 02 with 33 jewels, 168 components and 28,800 Vph.

It comes equipped with a column-wheel operated chronograph, based on the original CH80 / 1969 plans; plus a vertical clutch providing high-quality chronometric accuracy. Power reserve on this watch can last up to 80 hours (3 days +), when fully wound.

Mounted to the timepiece is a black alligator scaled strap, secured to the wrist by a polished stainless-steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons. This is a limited edition watch with only 1,860 manufactured pieces, which should become available starting in June 2020. For more up to date information visit the official TAG Heuer website here.