Tag Heuer Carrera Gold-Black

«New golden sportiness for the wrist»

Tag Heuer shines its luxurious side for the beginning of 2023, showing an 18-karat gold version of the Carrera. Inspired by the prominent 1970 reference 1158 CHN, the dignified racing model features a black and gold color combination and is fueled by the in-house Heuer 02 chronograph movement. Other versions of the Carrera also present gold from its sportiest side.

Next stage of evolution of the golden Carreras

The first Tag Heuer Carrera was created in 1963: Named after the breakneck Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico, it emphasized Tag Heuer’s close connection to motorsports and appeared in an enormous variety of models over the following six decades. The gold models of the motorsport watch have always enjoyed a special status, with the reference 1158 CHN marking its birth in 1970. Fine precious metal meets uncompromising racing – what initially sounds like a contradiction turns out to be a much sought-after symbiosis among fans. The historic model immediately catches the eye: not only its blend of radiant yellow gold and two black totalizers, but also the left-hand crown ensures maximum recognition value for the 1158 CHN.

In 2022, Tag Heuer revives the Carrera in gold and black, but reverses the color scheme: While the sunny glow of the yellow gold case remains, the dial is now dominated by gold accents on a black background. Those who pay around four times the price of a steel Carrera with a manufacture movement will, in contrast to “mortal” models of the chronograph, primarily feel the weight increase of the moderately sized 42-millimeter case.

Noble appearance: harmony instead of ostentation

After its fashionable peak in the 1980s and 90s, yellow gold gained a dubious reputation in the watch world. Described by critical voices as ostentatious and kitschy, it gradually had to give way to the more discreet red gold and to this day suffers from the image of a high-gloss show-off on the wrist. The new Tag Heuer Carrera in black and gold succeeds in giving the tarnished reputation of the material a real boost. Especially in the dial, whose base is marked by a black plate with a brushed sunburst finish, the Swiss luxury brand stylishly demonstrates the accessible and elegant character of yellow gold.

Characterized by a chic tricompax layout with 30-minute counter at three, small seconds at six and 12-hour scale at nine o’clock, the black and gold look inspires with its serene symmetry, which is even represented in the central positioning of the date window. Eyecatchers are the two completely gold-plated totalizers, which are embedded in the dial with a clear recess. The dial rim, which is characterized by a vertical ring including a 60-minute scale, is the opposite. The legibility of the two-tone spectrum is excellent: the polished hands and indices, plated with 18-karat yellow gold, stand out against the background in high contrast. The hour and minute hands also bear luminous material.

Manufacture movement Heuer 02: Automatic power par excellence

The fact that practical considerations have not been neglected, despite the luxurious positioning of the new men’s watch in gold and black, is also demonstrated by the 100-meter water resistance of the high-class Carrera. Sapphire crystal can be admired by the proud owner on both sides of the case, of which the back allows a clear view of the heart of the chronograph. The much-praised Heuer 02 manufacture movement is used, to which its designers from La Chaux-de-Fonds have given a black winding rotor in accordance with the color scheme. The latter is skeletonized to expose the mechanics over as large an area as possible. Clear highlights of the drive represent its 80-hour power reserve, column wheel and vertical clutch to perform timekeeping with high precision. Supplied on a black alligator strap with a classic pin buckle in yellow gold, the new Heuer 02 Carrera wristwatch in gold and black (Ref. CBN2044.FC8313) just exceeds the manufacturer’s price of 20,000 euros.

Black and gold automatic chronograph 45mm

In addition to the recently presented Calibre HEUER 02 Automatic Chronograph 45mm in black and gold, the current Carrera line holds further highlights made of the precious metal of kings. Those who prefer the progressive skeleton look of the Swiss manufacturer with its typical Tag Heuer sportiness and are not afraid of a diameter of 45 millimeters should set their sights on the Ref. CBG2A51.FC6450: Through the dial, it opens a clear view of the same Heuer 02 automatic movement as in the newcomer, but is more affordable due to the pairing of stainless steel and gold. Thus, the case centerpiece only has a gold PVD coating, while the bezel and crown of the 100-meter water-resistant eye-catcher are in 18 carat. The overall appearance of the time stopper bristles with performance, and not just because of its enormous dimensions: from the tachymeter scale on the bezel to the floating aesthetics of the totalizer rings, the super watch is reminiscent of the engine compartment of a racing car. Dark PVD coatings on the case and a black alligator strap master the two-tone balancing act.

With tourbillon: Calibre HEUER 02 T COSC Automatic Chronograph 45mm Black Gold

The “tourbillon for the people,” as the Calibre HEUER 02 T COSC is called due to its relative affordability compared to most other tourbillon watches, follows the black and gold motto of the luxury Carreras in two different looks: while the reference CAR5A5U.FC6377 focuses on maximum sportiness with its black titanium ceramic bezel, the 18-karat rose gold bezel of the CAR5A5V.FC6377 exudes pure luxury. Rosé is a good keyword: unlike the new Carrera in black and yellow gold, the tourbillon models appeal to those tastes that prefer warmer gold tones.

Apart from their different bezels, the high-end chronographs are almost identical: the time stopper and tourbillon are fired by the HEUER 02 T manufacture movement with a 65-hour power reserve, which resides in a spacious 45-millimeter case made of titanium and rose gold. The aesthetic similarities to the CBG2A51.FC6450 are great; tachymeter scale and sporty bezel rings set the tone. And unlike the majority of those tourbillons installed in luxury dress watches from Breguet to Blancpain, the super complication in the Carrera meets a remarkable 100 meters of water resistance. Gravitational balance with everyday utility – the Carrera makes it possible.

Feminine: Carrera Quartz 36 mm

Sporty ladies with exclusive tastes will also get their money’s worth in the racing collection: the reference WBG1350.FC6418 is a stylish Carrera ladies’ watch in gold and black that delights on the wrist with its focused look. Readability that can hardly be increased meets a precise quartz movement in the 100-meter water-resistant, full-fledged luxury watch, which noticeably lowers the acquisition costs of the PVD-coated stainless steel model compared to the mechanical men’s models.

The golden accents are carefully chosen to bring glamorous life to the otherwise dark and extremely classy overall appearance of the Carrera. Those who prefer serious instruments with feminine dimensions instead of pink deco watches will find this black-and-gold instrument to be the right choice.