Home » TAG Heuer Watches » TAG Heuer Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph
Inspired by car races, back in 1970’s, the TAG Heuer Silverstone watches have presented the best from the amazing watchmaking tradition. Limited re-edition (1860 pieces) of the legendary vintage model under the name – TAG Heuer Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph, is a revival of company’s golden years.
Reproducing of iconic watch models became specialty of TAG Heuer. After successful re-editions of the Autavia and the Monaco, famous Swiss manufacturer of prestigious timepieces and chronographs presents the new edition of another legendary race model – Silverstone.
The original Silverstone watch, launched in 1974, became popular on the wrist of Swiss Formula One driver Clay Regazzoni. It got a name from the famous UK racetrack, which deserves important place in TAG Heuer history. Silverstone was based on company’s number one from the period, Steve McQueen’s 1969 Monaco, but with entirely new design, shape and colors took place among the brand’s most iconic products.
Unlike the general course in watchmaking industry by which reproductions look more like a modern interpretation of classic timepieces, the new TAG Heuer Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph Limited Edition watch basically looks the same as the original. Authentic soft edges, graphics and markings from the 1970s are born again.
Caliber 11
The most significant change is inside the case. Famous Calibre 12 Chronomatic Heuer movement from the original was replaced with another trademark – Caliber 11 that doesn’t have the 12-hour counter function (which original Calibre 12 had). Despite that, it powers the watch with a great accuracy. This automatic mechanism is an ETA 2892 base movement, with Dubois-Depraz chronograph module.
The new TAG Heuer Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronographs come with the colorful blue or brown dials, with the elegant vintage design of the hour and minute indexes on the outer rim. Their brightness, as well as white luminescent hour and minute hands, provides a great visibility. Watch has 2 square-shaped sub-dial chronographs – running second counter is at 3 o’clock position, while minute counter us located at 9 o’clock. Date window at 6 o’clock, framed by white, also caries out the original look from 70’s.
Polished stainless steel square case, with the beautifully rounded edges is a real highlight of the Silverstone watch. It has a diameter of 42 mm and incorporates polished crown at 9 o’clock, with vintage “HEUER” logo on the face and grooves around the side for easy grip. Rounded polished chronograph push-buttons are located at 2 and 4 o’clock. Perforated alligator strap, that mach the color of the dial, comes with the stainless steel folding clasp, with vintage “HEUER” logo on the face and safety push buttons.
Watch is covered with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, while the fine-brushed stainless steel caseback, with round sapphire crystal in the middle, allows clear look on the movement. Although its major function is to be accurate on the ground, TAG Heuer Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph Limited Edition watch has a solid water-resistance up to 100 meters.
A gorgeous watch and for that level of quality, it’s not expensive at all. I appreciate when a watchmaker focuses so much attention to details. That is the real workmanship. Nowadays it’s easy to put a hi-tech mechanism inside the watch and sell it as a technological miracle. However, only a few have a capacity to make an authentic piece of art and mark out its work from the other objects of hyper production.
Totally agree with you Alan. This watch is an masterpiece. For me, a Silverstone even looks prettier then Monaco watches and I really can’t understand why is Monaco so much more popular. A work on Silverstone’s case is so artistic and that rounded edges are absolutely amazing. If we compare movements from the latest re-editions of Tag’s icons, for me, there is no such a big difference. Ok, someone can say that the Caliber 12 has curtain advances, but do we really notice it. The Caliber 11 is also an icon and technological hi-end.