Born on the racetrack in 1963, the TAG Heuer Carrera collection remains a timeless icon. Featuring an unprecedented level of luxury, the timepiece broke traditional rules of watchmaking becoming the first made specifically for racing drivers. Crafted with advanced luxury materials and with an uncluttered design, it delivers optimal legibility at top speeds, seamlessly combining aesthetics and functionality - rarely found in luxury designer timepieces.
We sit down with our expert buyer Sophie Conroy, as she explores the history and function of the timepieces along with the exciting new features they have to offer.
Could you tell us a bit about the iconic history of the TAG Heuer Carrera models?
Jack Heuer launched the Carrera family more than 60 years ago, named after the legendary Carrera Panamericana car race, which is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the world. The TAG Heuer Carrera family was named and developed in honour of those drivers that took on the most difficult road races in the Carrera Panamericana car race, with clean lines and an easy-to-read chronograph, even today, it is a popular model for both drivers and people all over the world.
What would you say are the key features of the TAG Heuer Carrera, and what type of customer do you see buying these watches?
With clear, legible dials, day date windows, calibre 5 automatic movement, and varied power reserves ranging from 38 to 80 hours, these models will appeal to men and women driving enthusiasts and professionals, as well as those seeking clean, elegant timepieces.
We know the TAG Heuer Carrera hold deep sporting roots, what feature is best utilised for professional drivers and sport-car enthusiasts in your opinion?
The TAG Heuer Carrera’s focus on simple design and typography, with limited text on the dial. These timepieces are suitable for drivers who need to be able to read the time at a glance, reducing the possibility of drivers becoming confused or distracted by a cluttered display. These new models also feature updates such as more ergonomic case design, bolder hands, and improved indexes to increase readability even further.
What is your favourite piece from the Carrera collection?
The 41mm black day date is my personal favourite from the collection. Showcased on a beautiful black alligator strap, it has 18k 5N rose gold plated hands and hour markings. The rose gold on the dial adds to the overall appearance of the watch, emphasising the black azurage dial. This is the perfect classic dress watch that can be worn from day to night.
Discover the full TAG Heuer Carrera Collection here at Mappin and Webb.
