TAG Heuer’s Baselworld releases roll on with yet another new Carrera- this time, the Carrera Calibre 8 GMT Chronometer. The new watch is the first new non-Chronograph Carrera that we have seen this year and is a classical design, both in terms of size and looks.
In many ways the new Carrera is a development of the Grand Carrera Calibre 8 GMT, with which it shares several features. We understand that the Grand Carrera range will be more focused on the Chronograph models in the future, making the Carrera 8 GMT an effective replacement for the similarly named Grand Carrera (below).
Case
As with most of the newer TAG Heuer models, the case is an attractive combination of brushed and polished finishes, a combination that to my eyes is more interesting that a single finish across the entire case.
Traditional 3-hand watches tends to be smaller than Chronographs in the TAG Heuer range, partly because there is less need for additional registers on the dial, and partly because watch movements are thinner than chronograph movements- especially modular Chronographs, which bolt a Chronograph module on top of a watch movement, effectively doubling the thickness.
So our Calibre 8 GMT has a 39 41mm case in the classic Carrera style.
Dial
As you’ll see below there are three dial colours on offer- Black, Anthracite and Silver. While the Black dial has a matte finish, the Silver and Anthracite dials have that wonderful starburst finish that TAG Heuer is using across many of its new models this year.
The dial is well-balanced, with a hand-applied TAG Heuer shield at 3 o’clock and the model name at 9 o’clock.
There is a double-date feature (Grande Date) at 12 o’clock, a design very similar to the date window on the Grand Carrera GMT. Unlike the Grand Carrera, the watch uses a conventional GMT dial rather than a rotating disc.
Overall the dial is attractive, albeit monochrome and a little sombre.
Movement
Again like the Grand Carrera GMT, the new Carrera uses TAG Heuer’s Calibre 8 movement in Chronometer spec. The movement is a modular Calibre with the ETA 2892-A2 as a base and the GMT module (TT651) supplied by Soprod.
The Soprod TT651 adds both the Grande Date and GMT functions.
WAR5010- Black Dial
The Black dial model is available with either the Black Alligator strap you see above, or a stainless steel bracelet. Available on all dial colours, the stainless steel bracelet is borrowed from the Grand Carrera.
The Black and Silver combination works well together, although I don’t think I could have resisted adding at least a touch of Red somewhere on the dial/ hands.
WAR5012- Anthracite Dial
At the risk of repeating myself, Anthracite dials are all well and good, but they don’t work on Grey leather straps. Anthracite works as a colour because on a dial you can give it a metallic finish…you can’t do that with leather.
So, the advice is simple: if you’re going to buy the Anthracite dial, make sure that you get the bracelet.
WAR5011- Silver Dial
The Silver dial is a beauty, even if it lacks the contrast of the other dial colours. This time, the strap option is a Brown Alligator, although the watch would look just as good on Black leather.
Prices and Availability
While there is no official word on date, we expect the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 GMT to be available from June 2013, at a price in the CHF3500-4000 (Swiss Francs) range.
Live Photos
Paul Boutros, a Senior Moderator over at Timezone.com took these great shots and kindly agreed to share them with us- thanks Paul!
…and here are a couple of wrist-shots from Miguel Seabra
50 Years of Carrera
The TAG Heuer Carrera 8 GMT is part of the 50th anniversary range of TAG Heuer’s most famous model- the Carrera. Click on the image below to learn all about the history of the Carrera and see the entire 2013 Carrera range.
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