Home » TAG Heuer Watches » Tag Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS Caliber Chronograph Watches
For the premium collection of TAG Heuer watches, it was normal to make a big step forward in terms of design, mechanism and construction. Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS goes even further with its ingenious Caliper system which represents the amazingly simple way of displaying 1/10th second accuracy. This ultra-sporty creation was presented as a concept watch at Basel in 2008 and today, it is the highlight of the Grand Carrera Collection.
Like every Grand Carrera timepiece, Calibre 36 RS Caliper Chronograph also features the Rotating Disc system instead of traditional sub-dials. Inspired by the dashboard of a GT race car, the disc at the 3 o’clock position serves as the minute chronograph, while the counter at the 6 o’clock position displays elapsed hours. From the 8 o’clock to the 10 o’clock position, there is a narrow window that tracks seconds with Tag Heuer’s Linear System (“LS”) that also uses a rotating disc to display running seconds.
Let us go back to the Caliper system. Technologically speaking, it is the central part of this watch. As the self-winding and COSC certified mechanism that oscillates with the frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz), the Calibre 36 (the famous El Primero) has always provided the precision of 1/10th second, but with the Caliper system, this function is displayed on the dial, in the simplest and the most appealing way. The caliper scale that displays elapse time in 1/10 second accuracy is inscribed on the internal bezel. It can be turned by the crown at the 10 o’clock position to be aligned with a central second hand in order to read elapsed time. At first glance, it looks a little bit confusing, but once you have a watch in your hands, this operation becomes pretty simple.
A Unique Concept of the Dial
The black dial of the Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS Caliper Chronograph also features a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock positions, polished faced hands and hour markers which are hand-applied and coated with a luminescent material, as well as the applied Tag Heuer logo. The most striking part of the dial is the metal bridge that links two sub-dials with its Cotes de Geneve finish.
The 43 mm case of Grand Carrera Chronograph is made either of brushed and polished stainless steel or PVD coated titanium that also combines brushed and polished surfaces. It incorporates a bezel, crafted in the same material and featuring a tachymeter scale for tracking speed. The crown at the 3 o’clock position is screw-in. Besides, both sides of the case are covered and protected with scratch-resistant sapphire crystals.
Tag Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS Caliper Chronographs with stainless steel cases are available either with the matching stainless steel bracelets or with sporty and modern black rubber straps. Titanium versions come with black rubber or black crocodile straps. Those who plan to use this great watch under water should be relaxed up to 100 meters (330 feet).
Wow! This watch has an unusual and excellent dial which is very interesting in a combination with this black sporty bracelet. This is a true refreshment of Tag Heuer. I can’t stop looking at this very special detail – the metal bridge that links two sub-dials with its Cotes de Geneve finish.
Yes, Lyman, the watch with a black sporty bracelet looks very dangerous. It has a phenomenal detail on the dial. The titanium version with a sporty black rubber strap is truly irresistible. This watch must be mine.
From my experience, rubber bracelets are very bad. So my choice is always a stainless steel strap…this version looks good…I really like the same color as the bracelet and watch hands, minutes, hours, the metal bridge that links two sub-dials with its Cotes de Geneve finish and other details on the dial.
Does anyone know how much does this phenomenal and amazing black model with red details cost?
The mechanism of the watch “El Primero”, is made by TAG or by someone else?
This caliber El Primero is made by Zennith and until very recently fitted to the rolex daytona’s