New for 2017: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 43mm

The Carrera has been the company’s flagship chronograph ever since Jack Heuer designed it back in the 1960s. It has gone through countless iterations throughout its history. Today, the Carrera remains as the most popular model among TAG Heuer’s lineup, particularly in the used TAG Heuer market.

For 2017, TAG Heuer released six new references, therefore, updating the brand’s 2015 Carrera Heuer-01 line. Available in steel with a matching ceramic bezel, this latest collection sports a smaller 43mm diameter case. Let’s explore the new TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 in detail.

TAG Heuer made waves in 2015 when it first released their Skeleton Manufacture Chronograph, the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01. Sized at 45mm, boasting a modern sporty design, and priced at under $5000, this was a high-value watch at a decent price.

2017 TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 43mm

This year, the watchmaker is revisiting that line with their latest release: the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 43mm. The new watch’s slightly smaller diameter translates into a wider audience. While there are plenty fans of oversized watches, some will claim that 45mm is simply too large on the wrist for daily wear. Plus, with six models available in this line, including blue, brown, and black versions, TAG fans have plenty to choose from.

The models feature a polished ceramic tachymeter bezel in blue, brown, or black ceramic, all of which complement the watch’s 12-part modular satin-finished steel case. Additionally, the Carrera Heuer-01’s skeleton dial — in blue, brown or black — and its sapphire caseback put this TAG’s inner mechanism on display for all to admire. In keeping with the sporty purpose of this watch, the dial also includes three counters: a chronograph minute counter at 12 o’clock; a chronograph hour counter at 6 o’clock; and a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock.

The watch’s chrono functions feature red lacquered hands as a tip of the hat to motorsports. The bold color also allows for improved legibility and matches the chronograph’s other red details, such as its small seconds hand and index points. For readability in lowlight, however, the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 offers rhodium-plated hour and minute hands and indexes in white Superluminova.

Rounding off the dial’s intricate design is a date window at 3:30 around which is inscribed, “CARRERA HEUER 01″. To balance this out, “CHRONOGRAPH AUTOMATIC” is found on the opposite side. Sitting on the case at 3 o’clock is the timepiece’s crown in rubber and polished steel, flanked by the pair of chrono pushers.

TAG Heuer Caliber HEUER-01

Carrying on the red highlights, a red column wheel is visible via the Carrera Heuer-01’s caseback. Also visible is a new circular black weight and skeleton chronograph bridge. Fitted out with a clutch with oscillating pinion, the wearer can easily be mesmerized by the moving mechanism. A Manufacture movement, the TAG Heuer Caliber HEUER-01 powers the Carrera Heuer-01. An automatic chronograph with date function, this caliber provides the watch with a generous 50-hour power reserve. Offering water resistance to 330 feet (100 meters) this is certainly a practical watch for multiple functions.

Priced at $5,350, the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 is still an affordable, quality timepiece. TAG has gone to painstaking lengths to ensure that this collection’s upgrades and enhancements do not mean high costs. Considering that this one of very few entirely manufacture chronographs at this price point, it’s an admirable job indeed.

Used TAG Heuer Watches

For those of us who prefer the older styles of the Carrera, then used TAG Heuer watches are an option. For instance, at Gray & Sons, we stock a solid inventory of used TAG Heuer timepieces, which in addition to the Carrera, also includes other popular models such as the Monaco and the Kirium.

However, since TAG is one of the most popular luxury watch brands in the world, used TAG Heuer watches don’t stay in stock very long. With prices substantially less than retail and a variety that includes vintage and discontinued models, in addition to contemporary ones, the used TAG Heuer marketplace offers great value and choice.