Review of the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 of TAG Heuer

A Carrera was, is, and always will be a Carrera. Since Tag Heuer introduced the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01, its popularity has grown to become a recommendation for an affordable watch for new collectors. Nevertheless, the latest edition introduced by tag Heuer swiss replica at Baselworld 2015 and soon in stores is somehow far from all the previous models we’ve seen. If we look at the past and present production, it’s hard to find a link with this new timepiece and to understand where the inspirations come from.
As you may realize, for most of us, a Carrera is a sports chronograph with a specific look that is easily recognizable. Even if it can be modern and look like that, it can also be a re-issue of the vintage 1960s editions, like the, in recent days, introduced Carrera Calibre 18 Chronograph Telemeter. TAG Heuer uses this movement for several years now (since 2009) and since the cancelation of the Calibre Ch80, it is the upper-grade engine of the brand. The best is probably to look at the rest of the watch industry- or maybe just to one company also owned by the same Group, Hublot.
Is it a good movie or something that we have to reject? Well, Concerning that TAG is creating a new strategy, having new inspirations and new models is always a good point. Is this watch the one to make the hardcore collectors fall in love? Not sure, but new-comers are always welcome. The partially skeletonized dial, the modular construction, the mix between distinct colors and materials… all of that is reminiscent of Hublot.
The following description is possibly too easy and expected but it’s hard not to think that Jean-Claude Biver (CEO of TAG Heuer and Hublot) took a bit of Hublot’s DNA to create this new Carrera Calibre Heuer 01. Whatever the model, they all share specific attributes like a racing-car inspiration and a case with flat flanks and facetted lugs. The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 is the first of a future series of watches. Because of its modular construction, it will be not difficult for TAG to offer several iterations of this watch, with distinct styles, distinct colors, or materials. The 45mm case is composed of 12 parts – the central part that holds the movement, the 4 lugs, the parts in-between the lugs, the bezel, the case back, the pushers, and the crown. The dial has a horizontal streak effect, something common to all the models. The green and blue lumen, date window magnifying lens, and engraved case back all add up to a go-anywhere, do-anything watch.
This modularity allows to easily imagine a full black edition, a full titanium model or to include ceramic components or even small gold tips (to keep the price in the reasonable range) – and this is a concept that Hublot used for several years, with quite a large success. The face of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 also evokes some of the modern Hublot watches.

No clue if this could happen someday, but we can even imagine the watch to be customizable with genuine parts acquired at your authorized dealer (this could be actually quite cool). Here, no more straight and beveled lugs but short and integrated ones instead. In fact, this Carrera uses the case of another watch from the actual collection, the Grand Carrera, meaning the modern and sport-oriented range of watches.
The shape of the lugs is intact and it is still a racing chronograph. Nevertheless, the rest doesn’t feel like TAG Heuer. For sure, this Calibre Heuer 01 is still a Carrera in some ways. Thus… Is this watch worthy of the TAG Heuer logo? The answer is partial yes, as the roots are there (the overall shape of the case, the chronograph function, the racing-car inspiration…). This watch could feel like the evolution of the modern Carreras (a sort of super-edition of the Nismo).
The Caliber 1887 is based on the Seiko 6S37 (or TC78) chronograph movement, which tags Heuer acquired a license to manufacture – with several major updates nevertheless. The differences between the Calibre 01 and the Calibre 1887 are first a redesigned rotor (coated in black), a column wheel coated in red (and not blued like in 1887), and a distinct chronograph bridge. The rest of the mechanics is similar and so is the 6-9-12 layout.
Inside this new Carrera ticks the Calibre 01, which is basically a slightly reworked edition of the now famous and proven Calibre 1887. This Calibre Heuer 01 of the tag Heuer imitation watches are based on the caliber 16, a well-known automatic integrated chronograph – is basically a Valjoux 7750 or one of its clones. This movement provides useful indications: a 30-minute counter at 12, a 12-hour counter at 6, and a small second at 9, and a date at 3. It boasts 42 hours of power reserve and, concerning its robust origin, it will do the job for ages and precisely.