LVMH Watch Week: Introducing The TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition
TAG Heuer starts their 160th year with a killer revival.
When TAG Heuer (former HEUER) released the now-iconic Carrera Chronograph almost 60 years ago, the La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker had been in operation for a century before its arrival. Founded in 1860, TAG Heuer has endured two World Wars, a litany of watch industry crisis, and yet, in 2020, remains on top of their game.
LVMH Watch Week Introductions
At the inaugural LVMH Watch Week in Dubai, TAG Heuer eschewed their tradition of releasing an array of models and (re)introduced a singularly quintessential TAG Heuer timepiece, the new Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition.
This new timepiece is built to honor TAG Heuer's now-legendary Heuer Carrera chronograph. It takes inspiration from the Heuer ref. 2447S, this is a modern reinterpretation of one of TAG Heuer’s most enduring racing chronographs.
Introducing the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition
Limited to 1,860 pieces, the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition is sure to entice TAG Heuer fans young and old. Let’s take a look at some of the modern upgrades packed into this quintessentially neo-vintage piece.
For starters, the piece received an upgraded case. While the case shape and lines of the original stay the same, the new Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition sees an upsized stainless steel case (from 36mm to 39mm). The dial is unmistakably akin to the original, with a silver sunray brushed pattern with three sub registers.
Perhaps the most significant upgrade to this racing chronograph is the engine. Gone is the Valjoux 72. In its place is TAG Heuer's Heuer 02 movement. This in-house column-wheel chronograph represents the very best from the iconic manufacture. Assembled in-house with 168 components, the Heuer 02 movement powering the Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition boasts a power reserve of 80 hours.
With the Heuer 02, TAG Heuer also listens to collectors and fans of the brand by reducing the overall thickness of the movement. One of the critiques of the Heuer 01 movement, which powers the brands Autavia revival, was the thickness of the case. With the Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition, we see a reduction in movement thickness from 7.30mm in the Heuer 01 to 6.95mm in the Heuer 02. While not incredibly remarkable on paper, this reduction translates well on the wrist.
The particulars
TAG Heuer’s Carrera is made for racers. Renowned for its legibility, the lineup has endured over a half-century because of its ease of use and readability at speed. The Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition continues the traditions of the past while bringing the collection into the 21st century. I’ve been yearning for TAG Heuer to re-introduce some of their most classic HEUER references, and this piece surely doesn’t disappoint.
The Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition is priced at $6,450 USD and limited to 1,860 pieces and comes fitted to a black alligator leather strap. Each piece will come decorated with “One of 1860” and “LIMITED EDITION” on the case-back. The pieces all come with special anniversary packaging. The availability is June 2020.
(Photography by Watchonista)