The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 GMT watch hands-on

One TAG Heuer leads to another… if the Monaco is perhaps to a broader audience the most celebrated model due to the fact that Steve McQueen wore it in the movie LeMans, but also because with its square, water-proof case powered by the Chronomatic, it condensed a series of milestones in the Heuer brand before and TAG Heuer afterwards, another range of watches deserves great attention as inspired by car races, but the ones overseas, such as the Carrera Panamericana: the TAG Heuer Carrera. We already talked about the unstoppable development that the Carrera range has achieved in 2013, we can address the article to those who would like to know the subject in-depth, but since we don’t like to leave it to chance, we believe that one of the models of the 2013 range deserves more attention than it has had so far, at least from the specialised magazines: the TAG Heuer Carrera Carrera GMT Calibre 8 Big Date.

And we will tell you why: if you are used to travelling, you might love a classic design with a sporty touch that would allow you to wear your watch either at formal events or with a casual business outfit during a cocktail in town, you will soon realise that the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 GMT is less ordinary than it looks. The case is round, thus classic, but 41mm wide, hence not very small and this feature is already something. Of a shine and satin finish, and this detail is not negligible… The calibre, automatic, is COSC certified…Excellent! The date has two separate disks, far cry from ordinary: place side by side two watches similar in shape, dimensions and complexity and judge yourselves a big date from a traditional solution. The second time zone is a GMT (Dual Time Zone), not a third central hand, but a separate dial at 6 o’clock.

Now, look around and find in the same price tag (ca Euro 3000) a watch that has exactly the same technical features. I’ll help you: it doesn’t exist! All in a design only apparently déjà vù, because the case of the Carrera is now even more easily recognisable due to some details in the design such as the lugs of a very original make that are now the line-up statement and recall the Heuer Carrera, the curved glass that deliberately sticks out the case, almost to repeat the ladder pattern of the bezel, and the index on the dial including the frame around the big date and the second time zone, giving a contribution to the tri-dimensional appearance of the watch.

We can say it better: bezel inclination, glass curvature, and rim of dial frame at 6 o’clock create a unique motif of triple symmetry. The effect? The watch seems brighter than what it really is. One last suggestion from aficionados: dear TAG Heuer, why don’t we apply the logo on the folding buckle? And one for those who would like to add it to their collection: on the new H bracelet is even more appealing, takes a somehow monolithic shape, thanks to very tight pairs, with extremely remarkable “touch and feel”.

(Photo credit: Horbiter®’s original photo shooting)

Gaetano C. @Horbiter®

@GaetanoCimmino