In the spring of 1963, at the Basel fair, Heuer launched the Carrera chronograph that quickly became an international success and, probably, the most famous wristwatch of the brand. Taking its name from the legendary week-long "Carrera Panamericana" road race held in Mexico, the Heuer Carrera was expressly designed for drivers with ergonomics and legibility as priorities (you can read the full history of the brand here).
57 years later, TAG Heuer maintains the same guiding lines for the development of the new Carreras, created in a number of variations modulating sportiness and elegance. In fact, the Carrera collection includes both the classic Carrera Chronograph 42 mm, with slim bezels without tachymeter scale, and the sportier Carrera Sport Chronograph 44 mm, with a larger bezel with tachymeter scale and other details that emphasise the dynamic character of the watch.
We recently had the opportunity to wear and test the latter and we are now glad to share our impressions and pictures.
TAG Heuer recently introduced four Carrera Sport Chronograph 44 mm Heuer 02 Automatic models, three in stainless steel and one in steel and rose gold, all powered by the in-house manufactured Calibre Heuer 02 movement. For our review we had the three steel models: ref. CBN2A10 with olive green dial and steel bezel, ref. CBN2A1A with blue dial and blue ceramic bezel, and ref. CBN2A1B with black dial and black ceramic bezel.
The lines of the 44 mm x 15.27 mm steel case are highlighted by alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Compared to previous models, the lugs are shorter for improved comfort on the wrist.
Also thanks to this change, the watch sits perfectly on average wrists - the wrist in our pictures is 18cm / 7in - even though a diameter of 44 mm might led one to think that this is a watch for larger wrists. As usual, it is better to wear wristwatches before judging them as too small or too big for our wrist.
Crown and chronograph pushers are enriched by a black ring, a feature that has characterised several of the sportiest Carrera series in the past years.
Water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet, the refined case houses the self-winding 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) Heuer 02 Calibre that offers a remarkable power reserve of 80 hours.
Movement and openworked oscillating weight can be appreciated through the screw-down sapphire caseback. Entirely Swiss-made in TAG Heuer's Chevenez manufacture, this advanced movement comprises 168 components, including a column wheel and a vertical clutch.
Protected by a domed and bevelled sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment, the dial of the new Carrera Sport Chronograph 44 mm is rich of refined details starting with the circular brushed finish that creates eye-catching plays of light.
The chronograph hour and minute snailed counters are positioned at 9 and 3 o'clock respectively while, at 6 o'clock, we find the smaller running seconds counter and the date aperture. The result is a well balanced and symmetrical 3-6-9 layout.
The applied indexes and the hour and minute hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility in poor light conditions. Inspired to some models of the brand from the 1970s, the hour and minute hands feature groove down centre and tip filled in black.
We love the serif typeface used for the Carrera, just above the TAG Heuer logo. The only other text in the dial is “Heuer 02 80 Hours” at 6 o'clock to remark the quality of the "engine".
As written above, despite being a fairly large watch, the watch wears very well on most wrists. Merit also goes to the new integrated H-shaped steel bracelet, now thinner and more ergonomic, and its folding clasp with double safety push-buttons.
The new Carrera Sport Chronograph 44 mm Heuer 02 Automatic represents a great new offer - this model does not replace any other reference - from TAG Heuer with a very appealing look, whether you choose a ceramic or a steel bezel, and high quality technical contents. The models in stainless steel are priced at Euro 5,450 / US$ 5,750, a competitive price for a 100% manufacture column-wheel chronograph at this level of finishing. tagheuer.com
I like the caseband that seamlessly connects top and bottom lugs. As a designer, I appreciate this detail a lot.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a very nice detail. It's quite evident in the first picture of this review.
ReplyDeleteI can't decide between blue and green!
ReplyDeleteNot easy, we know. But whatever you choose, you can't go wrong! 😉
DeleteJust purchased the green one and love it!
ReplyDeleteMy first purchase back in 2006 was the Link and I love them both.