TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon
In 2020, marking its 160th year, TAG Heuer introduced the Carrera Chronograph 42mm, skillfully blending the iconic style of its esteemed predecessor with contemporary elegance and functionality. This model serves as a nod to the significant place the Carrera collection occupies within the brand, embodying a high-performance, racing-inspired watch for automotive aficionados. With the Chinese New Year on the horizon, celebrating the dragon's ascendancy, TAG Heuer presents two special editions featuring vibrant red details, a hue deeply rooted in Chinese celebratory customs and lore.
February 10, 2024, will usher in the Year of the Dragon, an emblem of might and sagacity for Chinese Emperors. Contrary to the fearsome, fire-breathing dragons of Western mythology, Chinese dragons are revered as auspicious beings with the power to command weather and ensure plentiful harvests by summoning rain.The 42mm diameter case with a 14.33mm thickness is available in either stainless-steel or 18k rose gold with polished surfaces that contrast with vertically brush finished case bands. 
Mounted by a thin fixed bezel that secures a domed-shaped sapphire crystal. The opposing brushed and polished finishing touches gain an extra prominent shine as each distinct alloy is crafted into the trademark Carrera style lugs.
On the flip-side is a transparent sapphire exhibition case back that allows a view into the inner workings of the mechanical movement. It presents a full depiction of the dragon, showcasing its black silhouette adorned with golden scales, intricately designed on the sapphire crystal, as it wraps around the rose gold openworked rotor.
It also comes equipped with two piston style pushers to operate the chronograph functions, plus a knurled setting-crown engraved with the Heuer logo. All topped by a domed bevelled sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment. Water-resistance can reach up to 100 meters (330 feet).
Time is exhibited on a silver dial for stainless steel model or rose gold-plated dial for rose gold model, with applied alloy matching hour index markers filled with red lacquer, followed by an outer chronograph track ring in black, circling around the sloped flange. Both versions have a sunray-brushed finish that further extenuates its textured shine.
This watch features a tri-compax arrangement, yet it includes just two chronograph counters with a snailed circular-grained finish: a 30-minute counter positioned at 3 o'clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o'clock. The small seconds appears without a circular border, while above it is the Chinese calligraphic dragon character, welcoming in the new year.
The central hands and rectangular tops, aligned with the hour index markers have all been coated with a green luminescent coating, for an enhanced legibility. It includes a non-lume red lacquered central chronograph seconds hand. There is also a frame date window at the 6 o'clock spot.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon
The “TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon” (References below) 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, plus a vertical clutch providing high-quality chronometric accuracy. Power reserve can last up to 80 hours, when fully wound.
Mounted on both watches is a red alligator scaled strap with tone-on-tone stitching The steel version is secured to the wrist by a corresponding folding clasp, while the premium gold variant features a rose gold pin buckle. This is a limited edition of only 300 pieces in stainless-steel and 50 in rose gold, while both models are presented in a special red gift box.
For more up to date information visit the official TAG Heuer website here.
