Baselworld 2017: TAG Heuer Carrera

Unveiled in 2015, the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 opened the doors to a new market. A 45 mm Skeleton Manufacture Chronograph with a contemporary sports design, and coming in at under £4000, it redefined the notion of value for money. At this year’s Baselworld, the famous proprietary chronograph is being unveiled with a slightly smaller diameter of 43 mm, with three versions on offer: intense black, deep navy blue and an elegant cognac brown.

The brilliance of the polished ceramic tachymeter bezel echoes the polished, satin-finished steel of the iconic 12-part modular case. The skeleton dial – the trademark of the Heuer-01 – and the sapphire case-back reveal the beauty of the mechanism. The chronograph operating levers and the date disc are open-worked on the dial side. On the case-back, the red column wheel — a bold visual anchor — the skeleton chronograph bridge and circular black PVD weight also draw the eye into the mechanism, which is equipped with a clutch with oscillating pinion.

All of the movement’s Chrono functions are identified by the colour red, in a nod to the world of motor racing: the central seconds, the 30-minute counter, the 12-hour counter and the Start/Stop push-button. A sporty exterior complements the Heuer-01 Manufacture Chronograph movement, named in honour of the brand’s founder, Edouard Heuer. And 01 because it was the first of a new generation of chronographs.

After more than five years of continuous improvement and optimisation, it now offers a very high level of quality, while its production costs have been carefully managed to make it one of the very few 100% Manufacture Chronographs available for less than £4000.