Everything
This week, local and international watch media and retailers descended upon the Capella Hotel in Singapore for LVMH Watch Week. The event, which is now in its fourth year, marks the first physical trade show for the year and includes the major releases from the four marquee LVMH watch brands – Bulgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer, and Zenith.
When it comes to presenting new watch releases, TAG Heuer rarely disappoints. Suffice to say, the 2023 releases were extensive, innovative and meaningful, and above all else, just plain cool.
In what is the 60th anniversary of the creation of TAG Heuer’s most iconic watch, the Carrera, the Swiss Maison kicked off the new year with a bang, releasing a limited edition Carrera Chronograph that pays homage to one of its most popular Carrera references: the Heuer Carrera 2447SN.
If that’s not impressive in itself, there’s also a new edition to the Solargraph family, a suite of new Connected smartwatches and even the introduction of a new watch shape, a first for the brand in many years.
ICON is on the ground in Singapore, the fifth biggest market for luxury watches, to cover all the new releases from LVMH Watch Week.
Here’s what we loved from the TAG Heuer 2023 releases…
Carrera 60th Anniversary Edition
TAG Heuer embarks on its milestone anniversary of the Carrera in true style with the release of the Carrera 60th Anniversary Edition. This faithful revival of a ‘60s-era panda dial Carrera, which is limited to just 600 pieces globally, pays homage to the wristwatch that really defined the chronograph genre six decades earlier in 1963.
The first thing you notice about this watch is that it’s a true vintage-inspired timepiece, remarkable in its likeness to the original. The new Carrera comes in a polished steel 39mm case that’s topped by a raised profile “glass box” in sapphire crystal – the last of its kind for the TAG Heuer Carrera line, in fact. Along with a silvered dial with black subdials (the “panda dial”), vintage pushers, beige lume and perforated black calfskin leather racing strap with pin buckle, the watch offers a serious retro look.
A beautiful sapphire crystal case back reveals Heuer 02, TAG Heuer’s beastly 80-hour in-house automatic chronograph calibre, which is a wonder to look at.
2023 will undoubtedly be a year full of celebrations for the iconic Carrera, which we’re sure will, yet again, be reimagined come Watches & Wonders in Geneva this March.
RRP: $10,650
Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
When TAG Heuer unveiled its first solar-powered quartz movement last year at Watches & Wonders in Geneva, watch pundits were ecstatic to see the classic Aquaracer collection reimagined in such an innovative way. A year later, TAG Heuer has now presented its second iteration of the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph… and it’s an absolute knockout.
Adorned in a full titanium getup, the first thing you notice when the new Solargraph is on wrist is almost, well, nothing – it’s so lightweight and unencumbered that it just effortlessly tapers around the wrist. Besides its robust, ultra-light titanium fitout, this rugged and adventure-led Aquaracer is also powered by the sun – an unlimited energy source, if you will. This solar quartz, Caliber TH50-00, is developed and manufactured exclusively for TAG Heuer by Manufacture La Joux-Perret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and only needs a small window of light exposure to operate functionally; two-minutes of direct sunlight exposure will power the watch for an entire day, 20 hours in the sun and you’ll find the watch will run for up to six months.
Available from February this year, get in quick, as this will become a highly coveted piece for 2023.
RRP: $4,450
Monza Flyback Chronometer
A personal favourite of Mr Frédéric Arnault himself, the new Monza Flyback Chronometer is equally one of the most important releases from LVMH Watch Week. For TAG Heuer, it simply reinstates that the brand is in the business of innovation. But more than that, this Monza iteration casts the brand into the next tier of high watchmaking.
“The 2023 TAG Heuer Monza is a very special reinterpretation of its famed ancestor, in which its unmistakable racing spirit comes alive in a bold and resolutely modern way, showcasing TAG Heuer’s most advanced expertise in dial design and performance timekeeping,” says Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer.
The Monza Flyback Chronometer retains its iconic cushion shape of its predecessors, but is now designed in a 42mm forged carbon cushion case that is immediately distinctive. Its striking black dial features a two-register layout with a translucent fumé blue sapphire crystal chronograph counter at 3 and the permanent second at 6 o’clock. The unique skeleton dial reveals the beating heard of the Monza Flyback, which is the high precision and high-performance in-house Calibre Heuer 02 Flyback, a chronograph movement with COSC certification.
From the onset, it’s evident that this watch is completely rooted in TAG Heuer’s motor racing heritage, but crafted for those that appreciate modernity.
RRP: $20,000
Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition
Last but not least is the new additions to the Connected Calibre E4 collection, TAG Heuer’s smartwatch division. And for those that are keen golfers, the Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition was a standout.
Now made in a smaller and more compact 42mm size, TAG Heuer listened to its golfing community who wanted a shift away from the larger 45mm size. Those who prefer the latter will still get exactly that, but you can see how the idea of a smaller offering is definitely a smart decision.
On wrist, the new Calibre E4 Golf Edition doesn’t feel like a smartwatch, but instead, a well-integrated mechanical sports watch. The case and folding clasp are crafted from an ultra-lightweight sandblasted black titanium, while sapphire crystal has been used for the watch glass, and a steel crown and pushers which are obviously inspired by mechanical chronographs.
Another key highlight is an update to its shot-tracking software, where all your golf shots, from tee, to green to putting, will be automatically tracked. This new algorithm will easily revolutionise the performance of golf enthusiasts of all levels.
RRP: TBC
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