Hands-on with the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01. TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 review. First introduced in 2015 on occasion of the Baselworld event, the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 has quickly become one of TAG Heuer’s best sellers. Demonstrating that it is possible to attain a high level of quality while controlling production costs, the price of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 starts from Swiss Francs 4,950 / Euro 4,750 / US$ 5,300, for sure a very competitive for a 100% manufacture column-wheel chronograph with this level of finishing.
First introduced in 2015 on occasion of the Baselworld event, the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 has quickly become one of TAG Heuer’s best sellers.
The reason is easy to understand: this watch combines a powerful and distinctive sporty look with high-quality finishes and a manufacture column-wheel chronograph movement at under Swiss Francs 5,000. Indeed, a rare combination.
One of the several peculiarities of the watch is certainly the case construction. In fact, instead of being produced from a single piece, it has a modular construction with 12 different components.
Thanks to this solution, the watch is available in a wide range of combinations of materials, colours and finishes.
Moreover, the case is offered in two sizes. Originally presented with a diameter of 45 mm, it is now also available in a slightly smaller 43 mm variant. Whether you like more one size or the other will depend on the size of your wrist. For an average 17.5 cm / 7 inches wrist, we believe that the 43 mm version fits nicely fit but, of course, this is also a matter of personal taste.
Water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet, the case of the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 is available in various configurations, including:
- stainless steel with black, blue or brown ceramic bezel;
- polished black PVD steel with black ceramic bezel;
- full black matt ceramic;
- full titanium.
Its design is intentionally different compared to traditional Carrera models: Jean-Claude Bivier, CEO of the brand and President of the LVMH Watches Division, asked TAG Heuer designers that the watches housing manufacture movements had to clearly differentiate from models powered by third-party movements.
Although there are still elements like the long and edgy lugs that make the watch clearly look as a Carrera, the Heuer 01 introduced a more modern look. We believe that there is room for both classical and modern Carreras in TAG Heuer’s family.
Engraved with a tachymeter scale remarking the link to the world of motorsports, the ceramic bezel is currently produced in three colour variations - black, blue or brown - but it is easy to predict other variations in the future.
The partially openworked dial reveals the chronograph controls and the date disc.
In case of the steel versions, the legibility is enhanced by the red hands used for the chronograph indications. Full-black versions dispensed with this detail in favour of a stealth style.
On the case-back, the red column wheel and the skeletonized black oscillating weight remark the sporty nature of the timepiece.
Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), the Heuer-01 calibre offers a power reserve of 50 hours or 40 hours with the chronograph in operation.
The watch can be matched to perforated rubber straps which enhance the sporty look, refined leather straps or to a metal bracelet alternating a vertical brushed satin finish for the external links to polished central links. The bracelet is topped off with a dual safety mechanism featuring two push-pieces.
Demonstrating that it is possible to attain a high level of quality while controlling production costs, the price of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 starts from Swiss Francs 4,950 / Euro 4,750 / US$ 5,300, for sure a very competitive price for a 100% manufacture column-wheel chronograph with this level of finishing. tagheuer.com
The reason is easy to understand: this watch combines a powerful and distinctive sporty look with high-quality finishes and a manufacture column-wheel chronograph movement at under Swiss Francs 5,000. Indeed, a rare combination.
One of the several peculiarities of the watch is certainly the case construction. In fact, instead of being produced from a single piece, it has a modular construction with 12 different components.
Thanks to this solution, the watch is available in a wide range of combinations of materials, colours and finishes.
Moreover, the case is offered in two sizes. Originally presented with a diameter of 45 mm, it is now also available in a slightly smaller 43 mm variant. Whether you like more one size or the other will depend on the size of your wrist. For an average 17.5 cm / 7 inches wrist, we believe that the 43 mm version fits nicely fit but, of course, this is also a matter of personal taste.
The two sizes: 45 mm and, below, 43 mm
Water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet, the case of the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 is available in various configurations, including:
- stainless steel with black, blue or brown ceramic bezel;
- polished black PVD steel with black ceramic bezel;
- full black matt ceramic;
- full titanium.
Its design is intentionally different compared to traditional Carrera models: Jean-Claude Bivier, CEO of the brand and President of the LVMH Watches Division, asked TAG Heuer designers that the watches housing manufacture movements had to clearly differentiate from models powered by third-party movements.
Although there are still elements like the long and edgy lugs that make the watch clearly look as a Carrera, the Heuer 01 introduced a more modern look. We believe that there is room for both classical and modern Carreras in TAG Heuer’s family.
Engraved with a tachymeter scale remarking the link to the world of motorsports, the ceramic bezel is currently produced in three colour variations - black, blue or brown - but it is easy to predict other variations in the future.
The partially openworked dial reveals the chronograph controls and the date disc.
In case of the steel versions, the legibility is enhanced by the red hands used for the chronograph indications. Full-black versions dispensed with this detail in favour of a stealth style.
On the case-back, the red column wheel and the skeletonized black oscillating weight remark the sporty nature of the timepiece.
Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), the Heuer-01 calibre offers a power reserve of 50 hours or 40 hours with the chronograph in operation.
The watch can be matched to perforated rubber straps which enhance the sporty look, refined leather straps or to a metal bracelet alternating a vertical brushed satin finish for the external links to polished central links. The bracelet is topped off with a dual safety mechanism featuring two push-pieces.
Demonstrating that it is possible to attain a high level of quality while controlling production costs, the price of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 starts from Swiss Francs 4,950 / Euro 4,750 / US$ 5,300, for sure a very competitive price for a 100% manufacture column-wheel chronograph with this level of finishing. tagheuer.com
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