The Low-Down

The imminent arrival of summer is not only announced by the increasing number of Instagram posts of sunny destinations —with their blue skies, golden sands, green foliage, flowers, and fresh drinks galore— but by the overall mood and atmosphere that complements it. Fortunately for us, watchmaking has never been the exception. Therefore, in the following weeks, you will see the unveiling of new jovial and cheerful timepieces that announce this happy season.

TAG Heuer does this through a new variant of the Carrera, the Green Special Edition, presented with an intense,dark green dial that looks fresh and lively. This new reference will be limited to only 500 examples and serves as a new vehicle of a more assured style that’s beginning to peak now.

Carrera pays tribute to TAG Heuer’s automotive heritage with a line of timeless, sporty and elegant chronographs originally designed by Jack Heuer in 1963. Although the Carrera Chronograph is also available in a bolder variant —in 44 mm and an assortment of colors, including green— this version is more classic with the traditional hallmarks that best represent the values of Heuer’s legendary Carrera.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Green Special Edition chronograph features shapes that evoke the aesthetics of the original Carrera, ref. 2447 launched in 1963. The round 39 mm case is reminiscent of the original 36 mm one, and features a slim, tapered bezel and elongated angled lugs that improve the watch’s proportions.

The symmetrical dial with three small counters —30 minutes at 3 o’clock, 12 hours at 12, and running seconds at 6; the chrono seconds hand is central— offers the minimum dose of texturing to animate it, with its sunray finish on the big disc and snail finishing on the small dials. It is sober and functional, and the teal color (a mix of green and blue) gives it a touch of coolness. And as initially defined by Jack Heuer, the design of the dial is all sporty functionality, with well-defined and contrasting faceted and polished indexes and hands. The printings recall the historical models, with the classic “Carrera Heuer” logo and the swift “Swiss” signature on the running seconds dial. The absence of a date window rounds up the evocative execution of the watch.

IMHO

For me, the “elegant”, 39mm version of the new Carrera is really attractive. It is not only a matter of versatility and restraint in the design, but it also recalls well the shades of the Carrera’s past, just like Jack Heuer defined them for the ref. 2447 in 1963. The new version of the Carrera in this deep green shade looks very different and is a welcome addition to the already colorful and diversified series.

I’m not going to tell you that, in general, green is the new blue, because I don’t think that’s the case —blue hasn’t gone anywhere, has it? But green watches are a new approach to style, one that is distinct at first glance but does not overwhelm over time. This is particularly essential in a watch with a classic name and lines like the Carrera.

The green, open dial features faceted indexes and hands and the vintage Super-LumiNova adds warmth to the whole look. The glass-box sapphire crystal magnifies the timeless elegance of the watch and makes it look classy and mature. The other green features, all visible on the back of the watch, are playful and pleasing to the eye. In particular, I think the column wheel on the technical Heuer 02 caliber is a great touch that will be appreciated by the collector who knows that these tiny details are enjoyed on a personal level, not because others say so. They say that green is life, and this new Carrera confirms it.

Tech Specs

Movement: Mechanical, self-winding Calibre Heuer 02; hours and minutes, running seconds at 6; 12-hour chronograph; 28,800 bph; 80-hour power reserve
Case: Steel, 39 mm diameter; sapphire caseback; 100 meter water-resistance
Dial: Teal Sunday brushing; snails subdials; polishes and rhodium-plated hands; printed graphics
Strap: Black alligator leather with folding clasp
Availability and Price: Exclusive to TAG Heuer boutiques and website; limited edition of 500 pieces; USD 6650/CHF 6500