The Carrera is a timepiece that shaped one of TAG Heuer’s most legendary collections. It very quickly became inseparable from the brand itself, and its legacy. Not only standing for classic timekeeping, the Carrera represented (and still represents) some of the brand’s greatest advancements in timekeeping and its relationship with the sporting world. Let’s delve into the history of one of the world’s most famous chronograph watches and take a look at why the TAG Heuer Carrera is such an important symbol of the brand’s present and legendary past.
Back in 1962, Jack Heuer paid a visit to the 12 Hours Race at Sebring in Florida. There he heard mention of the perilous Mexican race – the Carrera Panamericana – a race that ran throughout the 1950s. When Jack Heure returned from his trip, he began researching the notorious race and developing the DNA for what would soon become a watch that not only took inspiration from that race but defined it. The rest, as they say, is history.
A Star is Born
The year 1963 marked the arrival of the first TAG Heuer Carrera watch. The ref. 2447 was designed for professional racing drivers, and evidence of that could be seen in the model’s clean, legible dial. The design embodied all the values needed for life on the track, yet its classic aesthetics also appealed to those in need of a watch to wear daily. Heuer took inspiration from masters like Eames and Le Corbusier, basing elements of the Carrera on his love for architecture and modern art.
Five years later, TAG Heuer released a new take on the classic chronograph – this time an ode to the brand’s Intrepid yacht stopwatches and timers – these instruments assisted a win at the previous year’s America’s Cup. The Skipper celebrated this special collaboration with a rich marine blue dial, vibrant splashes of blue, orange and green (to match the Intrepid’s livery), and counters placed in a bi-compax layout. The “Skipperera” as it was dubbed, has now become one of the most sought-after Carrera watches of all time.
The year 1969 marked the switching out of the Carrera’s manual winding movement to the brand’s first automatic. The launch of the famous Calibre 11 coincided with a trend for bolder splashes of colour on the wrist, alongside rather ostentatious dials and barrel-shaped cases. Radical shapes were emerging too. All the while, TAG Heuer remained a bell ringer for style and timelessness.
The Carrera was relaunched in 1996, inspiring a new generation of collectors. Of course, these watches now tipped their hat to the brand’s heritage, garnering a new approach to watchmaking, and an extra special focus on watches of a bygone era. In 2012, TAG Heuer launched the TAG Heuer Carrera Mikrogirder, with a mechanical accuracy of 5/10,000th of a second. More efficient than it had ever been before, it claimed the title of the Aiguille d’Or in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Fast forward to 2020, and TAG Heuer was celebrating its 160th anniversary, so a reimagined Carrera was, of course, on the cards. The TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver and the Carrera Sport Chronograph were majorly influenced by the brand’s original release of the 1963 chronograph and boasted the Calibre Heuer 02 as a symbol of the brand’s unwavering mechanical expertise. Since then, TAG Heuer has celebrated the Carrera’s 60th anniversary with a 600 limited edition model boasting the instantly recognisable panda dial, albeit with a slightly larger case. There are, however, some excellent steals available on the pre-owned market today, several of which we feature here at Charles Martin Watch Company.
TAG Heuer Carrera WAR215D
Affording very manageable proportions, the Carrera ref WAR215D is a 39mm model that’s going to appeal to those with smaller wrist diameters. Its gold and stainless steel bi-colour design imparts a more classic and dressy version of the three-handed Carrera designs. Gold-coloured hands parade a silver dial, complete with a date window at 3 o’clock. The Calibre 5 sits at the heart of this 100-meter water-resistant case, providing a useful power reserve of 38 hours once fully wound.
TAG Heuer Carrera CAR2A10
With chronograph counters placed in the more unconventional layout of 6, 9 and 12 o’clock, this Carrera watch is going to command some attention on the wrist, especially with a broad case width measuring 43mm. A shot of red features in the chronograph hands against a black dial, while silver rings demote the chronograph scales and tie in nicely with the brushed and polished elements of the steel case. The classic push-piece at 2 o’clock has received a red trim too, allowing for easy control of the hands and the internally-fitted Calibre 1887 Automatic movement.
TAG Hauer Carrera Muhammad Ali WAR2A13
Paying tribute to one of the world’s most legendary fighters, the TAG Heuer Carrera Muhammad Ali watch has a 43mm polished stainless steel case and a special engraving on the caseback, making it a sought-after collectable for boxing fans, as well as TAG enthusiasts. The portrait of the iconic boxer on the back of the case accompanies his signature on the dial side, where deep blue and red tones capture the sporty essence of the Carrera series. Underneath a sapphire crystal glass is an internal red rotating bezel, along with a deep blue dial, a white minute display, and a date window at 6 o’clock. As one of 1000 pieces available, this is a rare addition to any collection and comes complete on one of TAG Heuer’s classic perforated leather straps in dark blue.
TAG Heuer Carrera WAR5010
For those looking for a Carrera watch that strays from its simple three-handed design or classic chronograph – this model features a big date window in a double aperture under 12 o’clock, along with an additional 12-hour counter at 6. Despite this lesser-common format, the dial is still just as legible and understated, with a black display and a set of luminous-coated hands and hour markers for plenty of night time visibility.
If you’d like more information on any of the TAG Heuer Carrera watches we’ve featured in this guide, contact us here at Charles Martin on 01889 560 002 or email us on sales@charlesmartinwatchcompany.com.
