After years of vacillating between vintage remakes and aggressive, hyper-modern sport watches, there are positive signs of TAG Heuer now trying a more even-keeled approach. With a return to the core values and aesthetics that made the Carrera an icon, the new and simply named Carrera Chronograph watches are a welcome balance of contemporary and classical. Following the sporty and modern-looking but restrained Carrera Sport Chronograph watches, there's hope that this signals a new direction for the brand — cause they look damn good.
Housed in a 42mm steel case, the new models come in four dial variations of blue, gray, black and silver — the silver featuring contrasting, rose gold-toned hands and indices. On steel bracelets or leather straps, they lean away from a purely sporty identity and more toward a genuinely versatile option. With a water-resistance of 100m, they don't need to be relegated to the office. The excellent, in-house Heuer 02 automatic chronograph makes these feel like serious watches.
Its restrained looks and lack of the ever popular tachymeter scale will remind many of the famous, first-ever Carrera — but TAG isn't necessarily reaching back that far, as these models are also reminiscent of chronographs produced in the 1990s-2000s. Available in October 2020, prices will be $5,350 whether on a bracelet or a strap (in which case, the bracelet offers a better value) with the silver dial model featuring gold-plated dial elements costing $5,550.
