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Introducing: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 18K Yellow Gold. The 'John Player Special' Look.

TAG Heuer was founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland and the company is headed up by Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer. For 162 years, TAG Heuer has demonstrated pure avant-garde watchmaking spirit and a commitment to innovation with revolutionary technologies that have included the oscillating pinion for mechanical stopwatches in 1887, the Mikrograph in 1916, the first automatic-winding chronograph movement —Calibre 11— in 1969 and the first luxury smartwatch in 2015.

Today, TAG Heuer presents the ultimate driver’s watch with the new Carrera Chronograph in 18K 3N yellow gold which will forever be known as the chronograph of choice of some of Formula 1’s greatest teams and drivers like the John Player Special. The timeless design born in 1963 has taken on many celebrated expressions, yet the 18K yellow gold pieces of this collection always stand apart. With its sophisticated deep black dial, the 2022 gold edition continues to build on this rich lineage of legendary racing timepieces.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph was designed for racetrack thanks to its highly legible, uncluttered dial, sleek lines, and high-performance movements. In 1970 the first yellow gold automatic model was introduced, the Heuer reference 1158 CHN, which was then CEO Jack Heuer’s personal favorite. They quickly became a must on the grid as a signal of success, following Jack’s strategy to present them to many winning drivers. They are still highly sought after by fans and collectors eager to hold a piece of the unmistakably glamorous 1970s racing spirit synonymous with the most famous names of racing during this incredible period.

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph in 18K 3N yellow gold features a 42 mm case with a domed beveled sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment. The watch is equipped with a black sunray brushed dial with 18K 3N gold plated ‘azuré’ chrono counters with black lacquered hands at 3 and 9 o’clock. A running seconds indicator with white markers and a date aperture are located at 6 o’clock. The rich black sunray brushed dial brings sophistication, depth, and subtle play of light to the wrist.

TAG Heuer continues to build on this unique legacy and introduces a never-seen-before dial design, black with golden gilded subdials, an inverted version of the famed Heuer reference 1158 CHN. Connoisseurs might also recognize the two-tone palette of the legendary ‘John Player Special’ livery which stood out in Formula 1 in the 1970s and 80s. TAG Heuer ambassador and world champion Ayrton Senna’s 98T Lotus sported the world-famous livery at the beginning of his brilliant career.

The case back features a sapphire crystal through which the movement and custom black oscillating mass are clearly visible. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph is powered by the automatic calibre Heuer 02, the brand’s in-house chronograph movement. With its vertical clutch and column-wheel, it provides outstanding timekeeping precision and performance along with a power reserve of 80 hours.

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 18K yellow gold is delivered on a large-scale black alligator strap with a gold pin buckle. The black and gold design proves just as attractive a combination today as it was in the 1970s. It expresses all the excitement, glamour, and thrills of racing in decades past and carries on Jack Heuer’s vision faithfully into a resolutely modern piece that exudes confidence, character, elegance, and sophistication. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 18K yellow gold will be sold exclusively in TAG Heuer boutiques, on the brands’ e-commerce websites, as well as at select retail partners.

Sticker Price $20,500 USD. For more info on TAG Heuer click here.