Introducing: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon
After the Carrera Dato Chronograph that we showed you on Monday, we have something a tad more complicated today. This is the teal-dial TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon. And it is all in the name — well, except for the fact that this new watch is part of the very popular Glassbox collection. So you get a tourbillon, and you get that beautiful curved flange along the dial’s perimeter.
TAG Heuer struck gold with the introduction of the Glassbox style to the Carrera collection. The range is now quickly expanding. While we saw the re-emergence of an important historic Heuer reference on Monday, today, we get a new colorway for that oh-so-desirable mechanism, the tourbillon. Let’s dive in and see what’s what with the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon specs
Compared to the original 39mm Glassbox models. the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon gets an upsized 42mm case. However, a 48.6mm lug-to-lug and 14.3mm thickness keep the dimensions reasonably in check for a watch this complex. Additionally, the water resistance remains rated at 100 meters. In fact, besides the diameter, everything is in line with what you would expect from a Glassbox Carrera. So let’s quickly turn our attention to the star of the show — the caliber.
Inside the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon ticks the manufacture caliber TH20-09. This movement was developed by Carole Forestier-Kasapi and her team. It is an update to the earlier Heuer O2T caliber, with added bidirectional winding.
The tourbillon cage, set within a glass frame, makes its rounds at 6 o’clock. This way, TAG Heuer provides a beautifully unobstructed view of the mechanism. The caliber runs at a 28,800vph frequency and offers a power reserve of 65 hours. You get a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, while the tourbillon takes the place of the usual running seconds.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon is a feast for the eye
Like the new Carrera Dato, the big news here is also in the new dial color. This radiant shade of teal green is enriched further by the textures of the metal underneath. The main surface of the dial features concentric brushing, and different textures on the details of the dial add much depth and life to the visage.
The teal is dark enough to contrast the polished, applied indices and handset nicely. Equally, the grainy silver printing stands out neatly and adds some vintage charm.
You may think the 42mm diameter is a bit much, but it is certainly necessary for the dial. The tourbillon is quite large and cuts into the raised Glassbox flange. Paired with the polished steel rim, it gives the tourbillon some nice visual weight. This provides the dial with the required balance, making the overall aesthetic very appealing.
Initial impressions
So, what do we think of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon? Well, for starters, it is great to see TAG Heuer expand the Glassbox line. I think this is a collection with great promise for the future since it stands with one foot in Heuer heritage but also looks forward with contemporary styling.
This tourbillon version, in particular, should probably be viewed as a statement. This isn’t supposed to be the most popular model within the range. However, it does send a message that TAG Heuer sees this collection as crucial. It stretches the top end, raising the perception of the entire lineup, so to speak.
However, I would pick the new Carrera Dato Chronograph as the one to have. I love its link to the historic model, and the price point is, naturally, much friendlier. Now that we are on that topic, we cannot say the new tourbillon is overly expensive, though. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon is priced at CHF 23,500 / €23,700 / US$24,050, which is certainly on the more affordable end for tourbillons.
What do you think of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon in teal? Let us know in the comments below!
