New Collection 2012TAG Heuer CARRERA: Speed, Emotion, Prestige
In 1963, Jack W. Heuer, the son of Charles-Edouard Heuer, started to work on a new chronograph specifically designed for drivers and motor-racing enthusiasts. A life-long fan of the sport himself, he knew what was needed: a wide-open, easy-to-read dial with a shockresistant and waterproof case tough enough for road wear.
The following year he launched the result, a mechanical, manual-wound chronograph called the Carrera. For the name, he reached back to a racing legend from the 1950s, the Carrera Pan Americana, a five-day, 3,300 kilometers (2,100 mile) race across Mexico. The most prestigious - and dangerous - endurance race of its day, the Carerra, which in Spanish means “competition of the highest order” remains synonymous with excitement, danger, adventure, and heroism.
When legacy meets luxury
It was the perfect name for Jack’s most ambitious creation to date. The elegant simplicity, purity and sobriety of the optimized dial design made the Carrera a huge success and launched a golden era of creativity and innovation for the Heuer brand. Among their first wearers were every Ferrari Scuderia driver — legends like Carlos Reutemann, Clay Regazzoni, Jacky Ickx, Niki Lauda, Mario Andretti, Gilles Villeneuve and Jody Scheckter. Other 70s greats also wore the watch, including Jo Siffert, Ronnie Peterson, Emerson Fittipaldi, Denis Hulme and John Surtees. Jack W. Heuer’s all-time favorite watch, the extremely rare Carrera 18ct Gold, dates from this era.
The CARRERA Man
The men who wear the CARRERA CALIBRE 1887, like Leonardo DiCaprio, have no reason to show off. They know who they are and what they want. They epitomize class and elegance, which comes naturally. Effortlessly. Masters of the fastest pace, they never rush. They take their time. They control every moment.
CARRERA CALIBRE 1887 CHRONOGRAPH ROSE GOLD 41 mm
An elegant descendent of the original 41mm design, in lustrous 18ct rose gold with a silver or anthracite grey dial. A true sports chronograph — tachymeter on the flange, minute, hour and running second counters on the dial. Alligator strap in black or anthracite.
CARRERA CALIBRE 17 JACK HEUER 80TH BIRTHDAY LIMITED EDITION 41 mm
«This Limited Edition Heuer Carrera chronograph has been created by me and is launched to celebrate my 80th birthday» Jack Heuer. The man with the vision. The man who designed TAG Heuer’s most iconic modern timepieces, including the original Carrera. This year Jack celebrates his 80th birthday with a new limited edition 41mm chronograph. The large opening with counters at 3 and 9 o’clock comes directly from the original design, in a sunray grey dial with Heuer logo and touch of red. In addition it shows on its back Jack’s signature together with the Heuer Family coat of arms, which dates from the 15th century. This coat of arms symbolizes for him the entrepreneurial spirit that has been the driving force now for over 150 years.
CALIBRE 1887
New editions and innovations continued through the 1990s and into the 21st century. Motor racing will always be the inspiration of the Carrera, but watchmaking savoir-faire drives it forward. The most recent example of its avant-garde position is the Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph, TAG Heuer’s first high-volume fully integrated column-wheel chronograph movement produced in-house featuring 50-hour power reserve, vibrating 28’800 times per hour and made of 320 components. It won the “La Petite Aiguille” 2010 Best Watch of the Year Award at the Grand Prix de l'Horlogerie de Genève.
CARRERA CALIBRE 1887 CHRONOGRAPH 43 mm
The matching anthracite-coloured dial and alligator strap grab the eyes, but what really holds attention is the simple, clean lines and the broad, uncluttered dial. The precision craftsmanship and attention to detail becomes clearer on second glance.
The most elegant expression of the CARRERA legacy yet. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Carrera. Black dial, fully loaded chronograph functionality, timelessly elegant dial and case design.. Elegant and modern, yet faithful to the timeless codes of Swiss luxury watchmaking, its elegantly minimal design conceals one of TAG Heuer’s proudest and most powerful interpretation.