TAG Heuer has been marking the 60th anniversary of its Carrera chronograph family all year, but appears to have saved the best until last with the unveiling of an all-gold special edition of the watch.
It is modeled on a Heuer watch given by Jack Heuer to Swedish Formula 1 driver Ronnie Peterson in 1972, which was inscribed on its case back with the message: ‘Success. Ronnie Peterson from Jack W Heuer.’
That Carrera is now in the TAG Heuer Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and is considered a grail watch among Heuer collectors.
For 2023, the 18ct gold reissue has been brought up to date with the same glassbox case and crystal design that creates the illusion of widening the 39mm watch by narrowing its bezel.
It has the same panda configuration of chronograph counters in black, but a date window at 6 o’clock on the Ronnie Peterson watch has been incorporated into a small seconds sub dial.
TAG Heuer has used its most up-to-date Heuer 02 automatic chronograph movement, which has 80-hour power reserve. The decorated calibre, with its Heuer shield shape rotor, is on display via an exhibition case back.
The movement has its crown to the left between two chronograph pushers, unlike the 40-year-old original, which had a leftie winder.
Another change to Mr Peterson’s watch is a perforated black calfskin leather strap. The driver’s watch had a gold mesh bracelet.
It goes on sale in November for CHF 21,000.
