Home » TAG Heuer Watches » SIHH 2013 Review – New Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronographs
This is the year of Carrera – the 50th birthday of the iconic watch, created by Jack Heuer back in 1963, in order to satisfy specific demands of professional motor-racing drivers. To mark this grand anniversary, Tag Heuer extended the Carrera Collection with four new timepieces which were presented at the SIHH 2013 show in Geneva. All models are powered by the Calibre 1887, which shows the brand’s determination to the wider use of its in-house mechanism. You can also read about the brand’s new concept watch and about stunning Carrera Jack Heuer 1889 Chronograph.
The most striking of new models (a Racing Chronograph 43mm) comes in this year’s very popular “all in black” style; a stainless steel Carrera Chronograph 43mm has four variations (the one with an anthracite dial and a steel bracelet is specially attractive); a smaller Chronograph model with the diameter of 41mm is distinctive by a striking blue dial and finally, there is a pretty interesting Carrera Heritage Chronograph, introduced for the first time with the Calibre 1887 (last year, Tag Heuer launched a Carrera Heritage edition with a Calibre 16).
Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Racing Chronograph 43mm Watch (REF : CAR2A80.FC6237)
With this stunning model, Tag Heuer presents one of the most contemporary designs in the Carrera range. I like the way of celebrating the past by using innovative materials and technology that give the great doze of freshness to the legendary design. The main visual novelty is the implementation of a black ceramic bezel with the tachymeter scale. Besides, there is also a new Grad 2 titanium case with black titanium carbide coating and wonderful sandblasted finishes. The diameter of 43mm seems perfect for the racing chronograph.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Racing Chronograph 43mm Watch
The “all in black” style is completed with a sandblasted dial and a soft touch alligator strap with a titanium folding clasp. The only contrasting elements are chronograph hands and red stitching on the bracelet. Another novelty comes with the use of black gold for the applied date window and hand-applied Arabic numerals, designed in the chrono counter style (60,05,…) Hour and minute hands, as well as the small seconds hand are also made of polished black gold and covered with luminescent markers. As we got used to from watches, powered by the Calibre 1887, the 30-minute counter is located at the 12 o’clock position, the 12-hour counter takes the 6 o’clock, while the small second runs at the 9 o’clock position. You can notice that chronograph counters have nice circular patterns. Also, there is a nicely integrated minute scale with second indices at the inner bezel ring. The dial is protected by a scratch-resistant curved sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective treatment.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Racing Chronograph 43mm Watch CAR2A80.FC6237
Through the smoke sapphire case-back, Tag Heuer exposed its self-winding mechanism, an integrated column-wheel chronograph movement, inspired by the revolutionary oscillating pinion, patented by Edouard Heuer in 1887. Built of 320 parts, completely in-house, it oscillates at the frequency of 28,800 beats per hour and ensures the 50-hour power reserve.
TAG Heuer Calibre 1887 Automatic Movement
Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 43mm Watches
Just like the Racing Chronograph, this new model is also based on the bestselling Carrera Calibre 16 Day-Date design. However, new materials and the Calibre 1887 gave it a new soul. It features a black ceramic bezel with the tachymeter scale and a stainless steel case that combines brushed and polished surfaces. The dial is either sandblasted black or anthracite with sunburst finish, which is my favorite. The arrangement is the same as the one of the Racing Chronograph. Applied Arabic numerals and polished and luminescent hands make the perfect contrast with the surface.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 43mm Watch CAR2A11.FC6313
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 43mm Watch CAR2A10.BA0799
Two of four versions of the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 43mm watch feature innovative, three-row, H-shaped steel bracelets with contrasting brushed and polished finishes. Other two versions come with alligator straps. Thus, there are:
- the CAR2A10.FC6235 watch with a black dial and a black alligator strap
- the CAR2A11.FC6313 watch with an anthracite dial and an anthracite alligator strap
-the CAR2A10.BA0799 watch with a black dial and a steel bracelet
-the CAR2A11.BA0799 with an anthracite dial and a steel bracelet
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 43mm Watch CAR2A10.FC6235
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 43mm Watch CAR2A11.BA0799
Through the clear, unscratchable sapphire crystal case-back, you can see the self-winding mechanism. Like all watches from the line, this model is water-resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet).
Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 41mm Watches
For those who prefer a classic design, the renowned Swiss watchmaker created a 41mm version of the Carrera 1887 Calibre Chronograph. This beautiful racing model comes with a striking blue dial which is particularly interesting in combination with a classic leather strap (Ref. CAR2115.FC6292). The second version (Ref. CAR2115.BA0724) is available with a 5-row stainless steel bracelet, which combines fine-brushed finish on rows 1, 3 and 5, with polished finish on second and forth rows.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 41mm Watch CAR2115.FC6292
The tachymeter scale is removed on the inner bezel ring, which left a tiny bezel clear for the beautiful polishing. A 41mm, stainless steel case is also highly polished, as well as a crown, chronograph pushers, hand applied hour markers and hands that are additionally coated with luminescent markers. Both sides of the case are covered by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph 41mm Watch CAR2115.BA0724
Tag Heuer Carrera Heritage Calibre 1887 Chronograph 41mm Watches
Finally, there is a new Heritage edition of the Carrera, powered by the Calibre 1887 whose interface looks pretty cool with the vintage design. Interestingly, this is the only model from the entire 2013 line with a light dial. It is silver and decorated with the authentic “flinqué” effect. The most striking elements are stylish Arabic numerals that are blue and polished, as well as central and chronograph hands.
TAG Heuer Carrera Heritage Calibre 1887 Chronograph Watch CAR2114.FC6292
The minute scale is integrated in the inner flange, leaving the dial clear and highly readable. The date window is again on its usual position, at the 6 o’clock, while the polished blue Tag Heuer logo and the “CARRERA Cal. 1887” lettering takes the 3 o’clock position.
TAG Heuer Carrera Heritage Calibre 1887 Chronograph Watch CAR2114.BA0724
A 41mm, stainless steel case is polished and comes either with a 5-row, alternate fine-brushed and polished steel bracelet (Ref. CAR2114.BA0724) or with an elegant, blue alligator strap with a steel folding clasp and safety push buttons (Ref. CAR2114.FC6292).
hiii…plz tell me the purpose of inner small dials of Tag heuer caliber 16 day n date automatic watch….plz tell me their functions..n how to set them…
thanx
Hi, these sub-dials are chronograph counters. They can be set (start, stop and reset) via chronograph pushers.