Get ready for a thrilling journey into the world of precision timekeeping! TAG Heuer, a legendary name in the watchmaking industry, has just unveiled its most powerful automatic movement yet, and it's a game-changer. But here's where it gets controversial... this groundbreaking innovation has found its home in the iconic Carrera, a watch that's as much a symbol of luxury as it is of technical prowess.
In 2024, TAG Heuer achieved a remarkable feat with the Calibre TH81-00, a split-seconds automatic chronograph movement that's as rare as it is complex. This intricate mechanism, capable of tracking two separate events with simultaneous starts, debuted in the Monaco collection, and now, it's making its way into the flagship Carrera.
The Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph is a masterpiece in every sense. The Swiss watchmakers have spared no effort in crafting this timepiece, which stands as the pinnacle of the Carrera collection. The beloved Glassbox variation serves as the foundation, but with a twist - a 42mm titanium case that subtly alters the curvature of the sapphire crystal, creating a seamless slope into the case.
The signature raised flange, in anthracite, matches the curvature of the crystal, eliminating parallax distortion when viewing the tachymeter scale. The dial, inspired by the Monaco, mirrors its black, red, and white color scheme, and is predominantly made of sapphire crystal, offering a clear view of the mechanical masterpiece beneath.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the Calibre TH81-01 movement, a slight variation of its Monaco predecessor. Instead of a busy skeletonized dial, TAG Heuer has opted for an illusion of floating tracks, created by sapphire crystal dial plates and subdials. The 30-minute and 12-hour counter tracks, printed directly on crystal, and the small seconds dial, framed by an anthracite ring, create a visually stunning display.
The skeletonized rhodium-plated hands and markers, filled with white Super-LumiNova, add to the overall elegance and readability of the watch. The split-seconds function, or rattrapante complication, is executed with precision, using a red skeletonized chronograph hand and an additional solid white hand, both triggered by the bumpers at 2:00 and 9:00. The 9:00 bumper allows for the tracking of a second finishing time, and if pressed while the chronograph is running, the white hand resynchronizes with the primary red hand.
Now, here's a fun term for you - 'sapphire sandwich'. This unofficial watch term refers to the combination of a sapphire crystal and sapphire caseback. But with the Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph, we have a 'sapphire club', thanks to the third layer of crystal on the dial. The expansive sapphire crystal caseback, held by a titanium frame, offers an unobstructed view of the automatic movement, a collaboration between TAG Heuer and Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier.
Crafted from grade 5 titanium, the bridges are hand-beveled, the screws are black lacquer-coated, and the checkered flag motif is etched by hand. This high-beat movement operates at 5Hz and boasts a 65-hour power reserve.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph, now the crown jewel of the brand's most admired collection, will be available in June 2026 for $110,000. It comes with a stylish black rubber strap, featuring an embossed textile pattern and red stitching, secured by a signed titanium folding clasp.
So, what do you think? Is this a worthy addition to the Carrera legacy? Or is it a step too far? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on this controversial yet captivating timepiece!
