Heuer invented the ‘oscillating pinion’, a device still used within many chronographs today. A major advance in the field of chronographs, the invention was subsequently patented in 1887. The die was cast, Heuer, and subsequently TAG Heuer, would forever be associated with measuring elapsed time.
In recent years, TAG Heuer has indulged fans of chronographs with a steady stream of new models. Some watches have been equipped with column-wheel movements, the purist’s choice, while others have focussed on affordability.
This year at Baselworld 2018, TAG Heuer celebrated the 55th anniversary of its highly popular Carrera series, a collection of motoring-inspired watches. To mark this important milestone, the Swiss brand unveiled the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph, offered in two versions, blue and black.
Although I would always counsel my children to avoid forming judgements on looks alone, I concede it was the appearance of the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph which ensnared my heart. It is one of the most attractive watches I have seen of late.
In 1963, Jack Heuer designed his first Carrera chronograph. In his autobiography, ‘The Times of My Life’ he recalled the design principles behind the watch and stated, ‘I wanted a dial that had a clear, clean design..’. It was Heuer’s obsession for uncluttered, legible dials which would go on to influence the design of the brand’s watches over the ensuing years. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise, that beyond its good looks, this chronograph proves highly legible.
The Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph delivers a competitive blend of quality and value. The dial is enriched with colour and texture. The bezel is ceramic, a material normally found on costlier watches, and the case is well executed, featuring an array of incredibly smooth surfaces.
The name, ‘Heuer’ has huge cachet with collectors of vintage chronographs. Sadly, high auction prices have pushed these watches out of the reach of many would-be buyers. By releasing this vintage-inspired timepiece, TAG Heuer has created an attractive watch that captures the beauty of past whilst offering impressive affordability. The Maison’s reputation for creating fine chronographs continues unabated.
With 2018 marking the 55th anniversary of the Carrera, TAG Heuer has announced the new Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph, a nicely sized sports chronograph that follows the history of motorsports inspiration common to the Carrera line up. Offered in a 41mm steel case with either a blue or a black dial, the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph has silver contrasting sub-dials, bold red accents, and faux tanned lume on the hands and markers. With a genre-appropriate tachymeter scale and a simple date display at three, the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph is an eminently wearable nod to TAG Heuers legacy of automotive-themed watch design. Here we take a closer look at the latest iteration of this classic racing watch.
If you spend more than a few minutes in the sometimes crazy world of watches, it’s easy to lose perspective. You can very quickly get caught up in the hullabaloo of new this, in-house that, and proprietary the other. But while all that stuff is cool and sometimes really matters, at the end of the day it’s a watch on your wrist with a job to do. And that job is telling the time and looking good. I think this particular model excels at this job, which is why I chose it as one of my 10 favourite Baselworld 2018 releases. I made that decision in the thick of the fair, but you know what, after a few months reflection, I think it holds up.