2023 has been a big year for the Tag Heuer Carrera as the famous chronograph has been celebrating its 60th anniversary. Bringing the celebrations full circle, Tag Heuer are ending things with a new version of the Glassbox, which was one of the watches that kicked off what has been a stellar year for the brand. The new watch is officially called the “Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph”… which is the least helpful name in existence when trying to differentiate between different models. So, we’ll call it the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox Gold Edition.
The Glassbox Gold Edition features an 1K 3N yellow gold case measuring 39mm in diameter with brushed finishing that’s matched by polished gold chronograph pushers. As a Glassbox model it also has the signature curved sapphire crystal. It makes for a seriously luxurious take on the classic racer. In fact, the whole golden colourway is inspired by a handful of classic Carreras that Jack Heuer gifted to winning racing drivers such as Ronnie Peterson and Niki Lauda, driving them onwards to seek more victories.
Gold also makes its way to the Glassbox Gold Edition’s dial with vertical brushing, surrounded by a golden tachymeter. The yellow tone is accented by the black, chronograph subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock, which look fabulous with their delicate snailing. My only small complaint would be I wish the date window at 6 o’clock was a different colour to match the rest of the display, the white stands out quite a lot as it’s nowhere else. Ultimately, it’s fine as it is, but it would look a bit more cohesive in either black or gold.
In terms of functions, it has the usual suite of chronograph complications: central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds, 12-hour subdial, 30-minute subdial, small seconds subdial and date. They’re all powered by the Heuer 02 Calibre TH20-00, an automatic movement with an impressive 80-hour power reserve. You can view the movement through the exhibition caseback where you can see the Côtes de Genève finishing and partially skeletonised rotor.
The Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox Gold is presented on a racing leather strap with perforations that helps create that sporty aesthetic. As for pricing, it’s £18,750, which is unsurprisingly a lot more than its steel counterparts from the start of the anniversary celebrations. However, the extreme luxury and flashy design of the Success feels like an appropriate capstone to the anniversary.
Price and Specs:
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph
CBS2240.FC8319
39mm diameter, 18k yellow gold
18k yellow gold vertical brushed, black sub dials
100m (10 bar)
Tag Heuer calibre TH20-00, automatic, 33 jewels
28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Black leather
£18,750
More details at Tag Heuer.
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