TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre HEUER 01

Jack Heuer originally created the Carrera back in 1963. Since then, this legendary chronograph has evolved with the times while remaining an integral part of the TAG Heuer catalog. Baselworld 2015 saw the release of a particularly special edition: the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 ref. CAR2A1Z.

A striking, innovative design defines this model and its successors. Known for their rather conservative approach, TAG Heuer wowed the Baselword crowd with the Carrera 01's futuristic design. It was also the first Carrera to use the in-house Calibre Heuer 01. Another special feature of this timepiece is its skeletonized dial, which offers a view of the movement at work.

TAG Heuer offers a wide variety of sporty chronographs in the Carrera 01 series. Examples include the reference CAR208Z with a gray dial and steel bezel, and the reference CAR205B in rose gold. The series also contains a model dedicated to the late Ayrton Senna. This model, the CAR2A1L, is made of PVD-coated stainless steel.

One of the collection's most unique pieces is the CAR201AA. This colorful special edition has a dial designed by Alec Monopoly. Meanwhile, fans of ceramic watches will enjoy the ref. CAR2090, a Carrera Calibre 01 with a black PVD coating.

Prices for the Carrera 01 are as diverse as its many versions. Presented at Baselworld 2015, the stainless steel reference CAR2A1Z features polished and satin-brushed finishes and is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). At 45 mm in diameter, this watch looks sporty and masculine. Like every model in the series, it has a skeletonized dial with a view of the movement underneath. Red accents on the rhodium-plated indices and chronograph seconds hand lend this timepiece its unmistakable look.

Its stationary bezel is made of polished ceramic and has a tachymeter scale for calculating speed. Scratch-resistant sapphire glass protects the front display and serves as the case back. This timepiece is mounted on a black rubber strap with a PVD-coated, sand-blasted titanium folding clasp. You can purchase this model for around 4,100 USD new. If you opt for the ref. CAR2A1W on a stainless steel bracelet, be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars more.

The ref. CAR205B is a truly special luxury chronograph. Its lugs and stationary bezel are both made of satin-brushed, sand-blasted rose gold. On the other hand, the case's body, crown, and push-pieces are all crafted from PVD-coated stainless steel.

Rose gold is also used for the hands and luminous indices. Delicate red accents on the chronograph pushers and subdial hands complete this chronograph's design. It comes on a black rubber strap with a satin-brushed, PVD-coated folding clasp in stainless steel. This model sells for about 8,900 USD in mint condition.

If you like rose gold, but would prefer a black bezel, look no further than the ref. CAR205A . This timepiece is identical to the ref. CAR205B except for its polished black ceramic bezel. Changing out the rose gold bezel for a ceramic one also means a more affordable price of some 6,800 USD for a never-worn watch.

TAG Heuer released the Senna Edition Calibre 01 in 2017 in honor of it being 30 years since Ayrton Senna's (†1994) first of six victories at the Monaco Grand Prix. This timepiece, the ref. CAR2A1L, features many of the details found on other TAG Heuer "Magic Senna" watches.

This model has a red Senna "S" on its bezel, skeletonized dial at 9 o'clock, and sapphire glass case back. Its 45-mm stainless steel case is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and has a black PVD coating. The stationary tachymeter bezel is made of polished ceramic. A so-called "Legend" bracelet with S-shaped links make of PVD-coated stainless steel keeps this timepiece securely on the wrist. Prices for a new watch sit around 4,700 USD.

The in-house Calibre Heuer 01 is an evolution of the chronograph Calibre Heuer 1887. This automatic Swiss movement is skeletonized, has 39 jewels, and ticks at 28,800 alternations per hour, or 4 Hz. It also has a 40-hour power reserve. The central set of hands displays the hours, minutes, and chronograph seconds. There's a quick-set date at 3, an hour counter at 6, a small seconds dial at 9, and a minute counter at 12 o'clock. The rotor has a black coating, Geneva stripes, and is engraved with the words "CAL. HEUER 01 SWISS MADE."