Hands-on with the avant garde TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon

TAG Heuer has built its reputation upon being “avant garde” and so it is only natural that it will launch the new TAG Heuer Connected Watch next Tuesday March 14th 2017 on Lake Uri in Switzerland. But before being connected, one of the brand’s key strengths was and still is the chronograph. Let’s have another look at some of the watchmaker’s recent developments in this sector, and in particular the superb TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T Automatic Chronograph with Tourbillon, shown here with its new rose gold bezel and lugs.

The changes began with the launch in 2015 of the the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01, an automatic chronograph in a 45 mm case. Presented as the backbone of an original collection of contemporary manufacture chronographs, new models were presented in 2016 to include a metal bracelet, an all-titanium version, a ceramic and rubber version, and 43 mm cases. In 2017, the collection is complemented in Full Black Matt Ceramic and with the Heuer-01 43 mm model in a Skeleton version, that you can see by clicking here.
Six months after the launch of the Carrera Heuer- 01, the brand introduced the COSC-certified TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T Automatic Chronograph with Tourbillon, combining two of traditional watchmaking’s most exciting complications: the chronograph and the tourbillon. Presented last year in two versions: Titanium, and the 250 numbered pieces limited edition Black Phantom Titanium, 2017 sees the addition of two 18K rose gold versions.

The first features rose gold lugs and rose gold plated hour markers and hands, while the second one, worn here by Haute Time photographer Alex Teuscher, has 18K rose gold bezel and lugs and is priced at EUR21,050. This is the top price for the Carrera Heuer 02-T collection that starts at EUR14,300, for the Titanium version.
The comparatively low price for such a qualitative timepiece reflects the desire of TAG Heuer to propose a COSC automatic chronograph with flying tourbillon, produced by the Swiss watch industry, for under CHF15,000. Avant-garde?

The movement beats at 28,800 vph, and has a 65 hour power reserve from a single barrel. Housed inside a 45 mm grade 5 titanium case with 12 modular components for a large range of design possibilities, completed with a black sapphire caseback, it is waterproof to 100 meters. Each timepiece is complemented with a black rubber-alligator strap with black titanium carbide coated folding clasp for a refined yet sporty look. Avant-garde.

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