Two new motor racing-inspired TAG Heuer Carrera watches are being launched, says Simon Revington
TAG Heuer, the company responsible for some of the most elegant and sophisticated sports watches in the world, is releasing two exciting new additions to its exclusive Carrera collection.
The brand has a rich and distinguished association with motor racing, started in 1964 by the launch of the first Heuer Carrera watch as a tribute to the great Carrera Panamericana Mexico Road Race.
Since then the Carrera range has come to embody the finest aspects of motor racing: the passion, excitement and style that form such an intrinsic part of the sport. TAG Heuer has pushed the boundaries yet again with the launch this year of two of their most innovative and stylish sports watches, the Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage and the Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2.
The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage
Both pieces are inspired by and modelled on luxury GT Coupé cars and this is unmistakable in the cool, clear and strong lines that compose the two watches; they form a continuation of the company’s distinguished alliance with motor racing and mark a subtle yet exciting evolution in the Carrera range.
The company is no stranger to pioneering achievements and has been in pole position when it comes to innovation and excellence in design since the brand was launched 150 years ago. The list of landmarks that the company has notched up in its history is a testament to its pursuit of timekeeping perfection; it introduced the oscillating pinion, a key component of the chronometer, as far back as 1886 and continues to break new ground with sophisticated and stylish timepieces that exude authority.
The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage adds an elegant new edge to the Carrera range with pure, clean lines that convey a powerful presence. With only 6,000 of the watches being made worldwide, it is set to become a mark of individuality that sets the modern man apart by fusing the love and thrill of sport with the innovation and history of a company that has made a habit of capturing the chequered flag. The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage has a contemporary rhodiumplated hand that counts the seconds from 0 to 30 and another red hand that counts those from 30 to 60, with hand-applied hour markers and double glare proofing on the sapphire-crystal polished hands. The intricacy of the mechanical detail can be seen when looking at the back of the watch; a completely transparent back shows its ‘engine’ and a fascinating assortment of finely-detailed dials and cogs which move with an astounding mechanical refinement. A founding principle of the Carrera collection has been “prestige dedicated to performance” and in this limited edition Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage model, TAG Heuer has produced a timepiece that not only conforms to but exceeds the highest standards of that famous boast. The face design of the watch mirrors the cool, smooth bodywork of a collector’s edition car and the clean design makes the watch attractive with a steely, robust edge. The strap comes in two interchangeable styles – alligator leather or black organic rubber – and represents the two TAG themes of resolutely chic and downright sporty.
Another new addition to the Carrera family is the Grand Calibre 17 RS2 and with it the company has created arguably one of the most robustly handsome luxury sports watches on the market, complete in its definition of unrestrained power. The limited edition timepiece features a grade 2 titanium chassis and has all the hallmarks of the most high-tech GT cars on the road today. It demands respect with an unapologetic display of sophisticated masculine power. The ultra-sleek bodywork is covered with a tough black titanium carbide layer to protect against scratches or damage and this is evocatively offset by the vivid red colour of both the seconds hand and stitching of the strap, the dramatic effect creating a sense of pure strength and speed harnessed in a modern, elegant design. The watch boasts powerful black gold hands and declares its presence in any company with a dominant display of resolve coupled with a burning ambition to race ahead of the competition.
The Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2
Looking at the engine of the watch is to see that no detail has been spared in its creation; it is driven by TAG Heuer’s celebrated Rotating System and comes with a highly accurate COSCcertified chronograph movement. Both the Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage and the Calibre 17 RS2 feature distinctly GT race car-inspired, dashboardstyle disks on the face, replacing more traditional watch hands to give a true automobile edge to the design. Both pieces also feature ergonomic designs in a sleek and sheer black body which complements the all-round masculinity of the range and offsets the red second hand, creating the impression of a powerful Gran Turismo odometer. It’s no surprise that prestigious watches like these have prestigious advocates. A glance down the list of some of TAG Heuer’s past and present brand ambassadors and notable enthusiasts reads like a Who’s Who of the modern motor racing world and includes some of the planet’s most successful people. The list includes the likes of motor racing legend Ayrton Senna, Juan-Manuel Fangio, still considered by some to be the greatest driver of all time, current racing sensation Lewis Hamilton, former F1 champion Fernando Alonso, the golfer Tiger Woods and, from among Hollywood’s elite, Brad Pitt.
Precision, prestige and innovation are the three words most closely associated with TAG Heuer timepieces and with the launch of these two additions to the already-impressive Carrerra collection, the company has continued its tradition of excellence while remaining true to its motor racing heritage.
Both watches are superbly crafted and are a worthy investment for anybody who appreciates both the aesthetic beauty of sports racing cars and the elegance and unsurpassed precision of a modern premium timepiece.
The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage starts at £2,295, while the Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2 starts at £3,995
For more information on both these models, visit David M. Robinson in Jubilee Place Shopping Mall, Canary Wharf or call them on 020 7538 2332