Green-Lit: TAG Heuer’s Carrera Green Special Edition
The king of chronographs gets a makeover and shows that green really is the new black.
TAG Heuer revealed their new Carrera with a stunning blue-green dial, just in time to usher in the summer months. The new chronograph is limited to just 500 pieces and tastefully combines the vintage designs of the first Heuer Carreras with modern appointments. As with all timepieces in the Carrera collection, this refined and sporty chronograph highlights the manufacture’s historic relationship with motor racing. With its elegantly uncluttered design, the Carrera Green Special Edition represents the next stage in evolution of the iconic watch introduced 60 years ago by Jack Heuer.
The latest offering in the Carrera collection shares many of the same design choices as the original ref. 2447 released in 1963. The Carrera’s lugs, a hallmark of the collection, are retained, as are the polished case and push buttons. Suffice to say, it has the same traditional aesthetics as the 1963 model but differs with regards to some of the finer details.
While similar in appearance, the stainless-steel case has been slightly enlarged from 36mm to a more contemporary, but still extremely wearable, 39mm. The dial has a tricompax structure featuring three snailed subdials for measuring elapsed time. The minute chronograph is located at the three o’clock position, with the hour chronograph and permanent seconds indicator are placed at nine and six o’clock respectively. The complications are operated using the two push buttons at the two and four o’clock positions on the TAG Heuer Carrera’s case.
The sapphire crystal is finished in a vintage-style “glass box” domed shape and treated with with a double anti-reflective coating to ensure optimal legibility even in extremely bright conditions while the faceted hour and minute hands, as well as the hour markers, are coated with Super-LumiNova for easy timekeeping in low-light environments.
Of course, we would be remiss not to mention the most visually striking portion of this watch, which is the eye-catching teal sunray-brushed colour. The shimmering mix of green and blue is one that TAG Heuer rarely uses in their pieces and so imparts a refreshing aesthetic to this special watch. The novel colour even makes its way onto the watch’s internal components like the movement’s column wheel and inscriptions on the oscillating mass. Finally, the dial is emblazoned with the iconic Heuer logo and Carrera name. A symbol of membership in this historically significant collection of watches.
Powering this TAG Heuer Carrera is the Calibre Heuer 02 manufacture movement. This in-house movement is the result of extensive research and development at the TAG Heuer factory in Chevenez, Switzerland. Comprising 168 parts and a substantial 80-hour power reserve, this automatic movement epitomises the combination of innovative modernity with the traditionally styled Carrera family, and can be admired through the timepiece’s transparent sapphire case back.
Even as many manufactures begin releasing models in green, the TAG Heuer Carrera Green Special Edition manages to stand in the verdant sea of horology. With an easily wearable case diameter, and modern appointments seamlessly blended with vintage aesthetics and a classy alligator leather strap, this new Carrera is a must-have for any watch enthusiast with a love for racing heritage and the colour green. This elegant timepiece is available now from TAG Heuer boutiques and the brand’s e-commerce websites.
To find out more about the new TAG Heuer Carrera, head over to the brand’s website.
All images courtesy of TAG Heuer.