The re-editions of the Heuer Carrera are generally considered to be the best executed of the various classic Heuer watches bought back to life by TAG Heuer. The Carrera re-edition of 1996 was the first attempt by TAG Heuer to tap into the Heuer heritage and was successful in bringing the Monaco, Autavia, and soon the Silverstone, to a new generation of TAG Heuer collectors.

Of the various Carrera re-edition models, perhaps the most sought-after is the Carrera 1964 limited edition (Ref. CV2117), known as the Jack Heuer 40th anniversary Carrera. The 40th anniversary Carrera was announced at Baselworld in 2005 to mark the 40th anniversary of the first Heuer Carrera, which was released in 1964.

Named after the famous “Le Carrera Panamericana Rally” that was held from 1950-54, the Carrera (Spanish for “Race”) was the first Heuer model with its own model name.

The 40th anniversary watch was available as a limited edition of 1964 watches and was engraved on the back with ‘Carrera 1964 – 2004, 40 years of legend’ and the signature of Jack Heuer. The watch came with a black 20mm leather rally-style strap on a deployment clasp.

Unlike the first Carrera re-editions, the 40th anniversary Carrera featured an automatic movement (TAG Heuer Calibre 17- ETA 2984) and a 39mm case, as against the 36mm of the 1996 model. The extra size makes a big difference in how the watch “wears”-the 36mm Carrera re-edition feels too small to me, whereas the 40th anniversary model feels just right.

The design of the 1964 Limited edition is heavily based on the Heuer Carrera 1153S of 1969, sharing the silver/ Grey coloured dial, two dark-Grey sub-dials. stainless steel hands, red centre chrono hand and date at 6 o’clock.

Many Heuer collectors view the 1964 Carrera limited edition as the most collectible of any modern TAG Heuer- but to me the watch was a bit of a disappointment and I did not hold on to mine for long.

Why? Because I’d fallen in love with the prototype version of this watch that was subtly different to the version that was eventually put into production. I should add that these amount to small details, but every time I saw a photo of the prototype 40th anniversary Carrera, I’d wish that I had that watch instead.

The first photos of the 40th anniversary Carrera released (see right) appears to show several small differences to the production model:

• Dial appears to be more a flat White/ Cream than Silver/ Grey
• The tachy scale was originally on the dial itself, but was later moved to the inner bezel
• The crystal seems flatter and less domed

Overall the production Carrera looks somehow “softer” and more rounded than the prototype, and to my eyes less appealing.

It’s worth noting that it is certainly not uncommon for small design tweaks to be made before  a watch is put into production, and that some of these differences may just be down to tricks of the eye rather than being actual changes. However, for whatever reason, the watch that I saw when I opened the box was not that one that I was expecting…funny how small details can make such a difference.

It’s also worth pointing out that the Silver/ Grey dial and the move of the tachy scale to the inner bezel are both changes that make the 1964 re-edition more like the original Heuer Carrera 1153S rather than less.

The overall design of the 40th anniversary Jack Heuer Carrera was shared with another limited edition Carrera- the Ennstal Classic Carrera of 2005- read more about that watch here.

So while these small design tweaks made the watch less interesting for me, its fair to say that the bulk of collectors prefer the production version and appreciated the effort by TAG Heuer to make the watch as close as possible to the original. While the 40th anniversary Carrera had a small production run, it’s not all that hard to find today and doesn’t yet command much of a price premium over other TAG Heuer Carrera’s from that era- but over time I expect that it will.

Perhaps the last word on the 40th anniversary Carrera should go to Jack Heuer himself. When a group of Heuer collectors met with Jack in 2008 he was asked which was his favourite modern TAG Heuer- without hesitation, he nominated the Carrera 1964 limited edition. Coming from the father of the original Heuer Carrera, praise doesn’t come much higher.

Photos:

1) Vision of Time

2) OnTheDash

3) TAG Heuer

4) Thomas Ernst @ WTF