Founded in 1860, TAG Heuer turned 160 years old in 2020. Known simply as "Heuer" until 1985 when Techniques d’Avant Garde purchased a majority stake in the company, the brand is is best recognized for its association with motorsports, and for its chronograph watches in particular: Its historic Carrera and Monaco lines from the 1960s and 1970s are some of the most iconic automotive themed watches in the industry, and today still offer sporty and compelling options.
TAG joined the LVMH group in 1999 and has been through an image refresh in recent years under the direction of branding juggernaut Jean-Claude Biver. Today's TAG Heuer features vintage-themed heritage pieces for fans of the brand's history, whereas more modern offerings are aimed at a younger audience. Many offer in-house movements, and there's even a TAG Heuer luxury smartwatch.
Here are five great examples from the brand's current catalog that you should be aware of.
TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Montreal LE CBK221C
Introduced as part of the brand's birthday celebrations this year, the Montreal Limited Edition Carrera takes the form of the earliest Carreras and dresses it up with lively Seventies colors. Available for preorder now, it's powered by the brand's in-house movement and limited to only 1,000 examples.
Diameter: 39mm
Movement: TAG Heuer Heuer 02 Automatic
Water Resistance: 100m
TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11
The Monaco is one of the most famous watches in existence, and it's especially well represented in this historically faithful model. It was not only one of the first automatic chronograph watches, but also the first square-shaped watch to offer a reasonably water-resistant case. Visually distinctive, its image is only boosted by having famously been worn by Steve McQueen and, more recently, by Bryan Cranston in the TV series Breaking Bad.
Diameter: 39mm
Movement: TAG Heuer "Calibre 11" Automatic
Water Resistance: 100m
TAG Carrera Heuer Calibre 16 CBK2110
This more modern form of the Carrera represents the TAG Heuer that straddles famous vintage references on one side, and the bold, youthful styling of today on the other. It's a conservative design that's modern, handsome and capable, but retains many of the traits that make the Carrera recognizable, from its straight, angular lugs to its legible, functional dial.
Diameter: 41mm
Movement: ETA 7750 Automatic
Water Resistance: 100m
TAG Heuer Autavia Calibre Heuer 02
One of the brand's most popular modern remakes, the Autavia resurrects an iconic watch from the 1970s that's beloved by collectors — and it's easy to see why. In its modern form, it houses the brand's in-house automatic movement, and this particular limited edition iteration was made especially for the watch website HODINKEE based on a vintage reference nicknamed "Orange Boy."
Diameter: 42mm
Movement: TAH Heuer Heuer 02 Automatic
Water Resistance: 100m
Buy Now: $6,050
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 CBM2112
Like the Calibre 16 above, this model dates from the last couple decades but features a more colorful, sporty and aggressive attitude. Though it offers a bolder wearing experience with a striking blue dial and subtle red highlights, it remains moderately sized at 41mm and comes on a solid and comfortable steel bracelet.
Diameter: 41mm
Movement: ETA 7750 Automatic
Water Resistance: 100m
