Carrera Heuer-02T

CASE : grade 5 titanium or ceramic, bezel in white gold set with 68 baguette-diamonds, or in black ceramic, rubbermolded steel crown, sapphire caseback, water-resistant to 100m

DIAMETER : 45mm MOVEMENT : mechanical self-winding (Heuer Caliber 02-7, 65h power reserve), 284 components, black column wheel, openworked chronograph bridges and new oscillating weight, titanium and carbon tourbillon carriage, COSC-certified

FUNCTIONS : hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, tourbillon

DIAL : black openworked dial with two counters, hands enhanced with Super-LumiNova™, polished and satinbrushed finishing

STRAP : matt black alligator leather stitched onto black rubber with tone-on-tone topstitching and folding clasp, or black ceramic, or full grain calfskin leather

Whereas few brands deliberately communicate about the price of their models equipped with a tourbillon, TAG Heuer does so by reinforcing its avant-garde credo, as well as its leadership status in the realm of affordable luxury watches. The Carrera Heuer-02T is indeed the only self-winding chronograph in the entire Swiss watch industry to retail at less than CHF 15,000 – and is also COSCcertified into the bargain. Devotees were quick to recognize the feat this represented and more than 700 such enthusiasts snapped one up at the time of its launch last year. This Manufacture movement is inspired by TAG Heuer’s development work on the Monaco V4 and the CH-80 chronograph. Fitted, assembled and adjusted inhouse, the caliber then undergoes 21 days of testing before being entrusted to the certification process conducted by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. The modular construction of its 12-part new-generation titanium case ensures a blend of lightness and sturdiness, while also enabling the use of some extremely promising colors and materials. The Carrera Heuer-02T appears this year topped by a bezel set with 68 baguette-cut diamonds (pictured), as well as in a version with a black ceramic case and bezel.