TAG Heuer Carrera Titanium- In the Flesh

Posted by: David Chalmers | 11 December 2009 | 21 Comments

A while back I posted the official TAG Heuer launch image of the new Carrera Day Date Carbon Fibre/ Titanium watch- and now here are some photos of the watch out in the wild. This is the same as the Limited Edition version of the Carrera Day/ Date launched for the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix, but with more appealing red accents rather than green.

The titanium version of the usual steel Carrera Day/ Date features a carbon-fibre look dial and the Calibre 16 movement (ETA/Valjoux 7750).The 43mm titanium case has a brushed finish and weighs in about 20 grams lighter than the standard version- safe to say that the benefits of titanium are aesthetic rather than to save weight.

The band has the basket-weave look of Carbon Fibre, but is actually standard calfskin leather that has been treated to give it a distinctive look.

This is my favourite of the current Carrera model range- the Day/ date version has a larger case than the previous date-only version and borrows some of the detailing- such as the Arabic numerals and “double-crown”- of the Calibre 360 Carrera but at a fraction of the price. Likewise, the RRP is around half of the other titanium Carrera, the Grand Carrera Ti2. Complaints? Does the watch really need that much writing on the dial? Take off “Calibre 16″, “100 meters”, “Chronograph” and “Automatic” and you’d have a much cleaner look.

RRP in the US is USD4200, although you’d back yourself to convince your friendly AD that they should give you a nice price reduction for Christmas.

More photos follow, including a nice comparison with the standard stainless steel version.

Photos: Topper Fine Jewelers. www.topperjewelers.com

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Home » Carrera

120421 Comments2009-12-11+13%3A35%3A13David+Chalmers »

Fabrizio said:
Apart from my joke on the Chronosplit entry, here's one instead I really like.

I must admit that the (date-only) Carrera Tachy is probably the only TH current watch I fancy, and especially the one with red chrono hands and rubber strap I find irresistible.

Still I didn't like the D-D version: that is, till now! This is amazing, with the mock-carbon fibre strap, the vintage-looking hands, and this gorgeous dial.

Agree that a less crowded dial would be even nicer, as would white-on-black date and day discs IMHO. Still I like this new version a lot, thanks for sharing.

# 16 December 2009 at 10:35

Admin (author) said:
Agree- if you squint your eyes, the hands look very similar to those used on some of the Lemania Heuers of the 1980s…

Cheers

# 16 December 2009 at 21:20

valentin miu said:
I saw this watch first time about 2 months ago in Grand Cayman..in a few words:love at first sight!!I am so getting one..is the first Tag I absolutely LOVE since my deceased Kirium F!..in Europe is much more expensive so I will get back to the Carribean to get it..

# 5 March 2010 at 19:19

DC (author) said:
Sounds like a good reason to head back for another holiday. I tried one of these on the other day- it was much larger than I expected.

Cheers

# 5 March 2010 at 20:32

valentin miu said:
Who said anything about holiday?I am working ..cruise ships..so I get there ..4 free..

# 7 March 2010 at 05:36

Nick F said:
Funny, that there is no info on this watch on TAG’s website.

Just added this watch to my TAG collection. Agree with DC, this model is very well thought out, from carbon fiber dial, Ti matte finish to the basket weave leather band, it definitely should be part of every TAG fan’s collection.

Here’s my observation, the Arabic numerals on this model is not shiny (rhodium coated like the other Day/Date models). However, it illuminates which is quite unique! (BTW, this is not stated in the brochure). In additon, the sapphire crystal is also double AR coated.

As my first titanium watch, it does take some getting use to. If you are used to stainless steel, you may miss the heft.

Word is that it is quite difficult to polish titanium. I just hope the titanium carbide coating on the case is scratch resistant.

One last thing, this model is no longer available in the 2011 brochure. Get it while it’s still available.

My 2 cents…..

# 29 November 2010 at 03:01

Gilles said:
What size thé band

# 21 March 2011 at 23:35

Gilles said:
To expensif for the mouvement not cote de geneve

# 11 April 2011 at 23:16

Gilles said:
Longine grande vitesse as the cote de geneve a lot nicer finish for the mouvement

# 11 April 2011 at 23:22

DC (author) said:
Not sure what you mean Gilles- the rotor has a cote de geneve finish.

I quite like the Longines, although not sure about the red highlights around the 12 o'clock mark.

dc

# 13 April 2011 at 06:23

david said:
Does this special edition also exists with a stainless steel case?

# 7 September 2011 at 19:01

TIMEPIECES: Tag Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph Day Date in titanium and carbon fiber | Essential Style for Men. said:
[...] checked out a few articles on the watch and the folks from Calibre11.com said the following: The titanium version of the usual steel Carrera Day/ Date features a [...]

# 30 September 2011 at 01:43

Pregunta Duda, que modelo es? said:
[...] Originalmente publicado por juan_75 Otra duda, con ese efecto carbono no es modelo titanium? en la web de Tag no lo veo. Pues entonces es una edicion limitada http://www.calibre11.com/carrera-titanium/ [...]

# 20 October 2011 at 21:26

Carrera Day-Date Lume said:
[...] Day-Date Lume If I may… as far as I can remember the only watch with such feature is this… TAG Heuer Carrera Titanium- In the Flesh | Calibre 11 -TAG Heuer Watches Cheers. TAG Heuer Collector. Future: CAR2112 SLR 300 Special Edition Carrera Dearly [...]

# 14 January 2012 at 01:47

Neb said:
Hi, is the carbon fiber Day Date a limited edition series? Have been trying to look for it! Thx in advance for the feedback

# 18 April 2012 at 12:52

Valentin Miu said:
And… Three years later I finally got it. YYYYYYYYHAAAAAAA!!!

From St Thomas, probably the last one(s) ever in a store.. $3500 but well worth it.. Anyone interested? They said when I asked if they have it that they have 2..

# 1 June 2012 at 11:30

Charles S Williams said:
Hi David, As a life time Carrera lover it looks to be 43 mm in diameter is that correct, and my next question does it come with a titanium bracelet.

# 4 June 2012 at 01:44

DC (author) said:
Hi Charles,

Yes, 43mm. No bracelet option on these, only the strap.

Cheers

# 4 June 2012 at 03:47

DC (author) said:
Valentin- congrats and thanks for checking back in to the original post.

Dc

# 4 June 2012 at 03:49

Cesar said:
Hi David, do you think its a good deal to change this carrera for a jack heuer 40th anniversary carrera from 2005? Thanks

# 15 September 2012 at 23:30

David Chalmers (author) said:
Hi Cesar. Quite different watches- the Jack Heuer 40 is 39mm vs. 43mm for the Day-Date. Yes, I'd take that deal, but depends what you like!

dc

# 16 September 2012 at 22:02

Cesar said:
Thanks David! I know its a totally diferent watch but I have always love the vintage look of the carrera. Nice job with Calibre 11! Regards

# 17 September 2012 at 17:25