As one of the industry’s biggest brands, we knew TAG Heuer wasn’t going to let the pandemic stop them from creating and innovating. As expected, the year of 2021 has been a big one for the Swiss watch brand with an exciting selection of new releases hitting out wrists. Alongside a series of colourful new TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches and a reinvention of the iconic Aquaracer, the luxury watch manufacturer have launched a never-ending series of TAG Heuer limited editions including a special collaboration with Porsche, an Autavia limited edition in bronze and an 18ct gold Carrera designed in celebration of Jack Heuer’s birthday. Let’s take a look at all the latest TAG Heuer 2021 watch releases…
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph 43
First up in our rundown of TAG Heuer 2021 watches is trio of Formula 1 Chronographs. Measuring to 43 millimetres in diameter, the design delivers a vivid adaptation of the Formula 1 DNA with a unique asphalt textured dial dressed in bright yellow or orange accents. The asphalt dials are designed to evoke the same gritty surfaces of racecourses and are adorned with black snailed counters for the chronograph counters and small seconds. Two of the designs are then adorned in neon yellow inflections on the numerals, hands, counters, and tachymeter lettering and a third doing the same but in orange. The two yellow-accented models are presented on a classic stainless steel bracelet or a black nylon textile strap detailed with matching yellow stitching. The orange design is currently only available on a bracelet. Both variants showcase a 200 metre water resistant stainless steel case with flat sapphire crystal glass treated with anti-reflective coating and a black PVD screw down crown to pair with the black ceramic bezel. Housed within is a quartz movement.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Orange
Continuing with the neon theme is the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Orange watch. Characterised by its orange asphalt dial, this piece was designed as an embodied of the adrenaline-filled spirit of the racetrack. The orange dial contrasts beautifully to the black coated hands for hour and minutes, black minutes ring and black lettering for the TAG Heuer logo. These elements are usually seen in steel but contrast much more effectively in the black. The date window of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Orange watch spotted at 3 o’clock also captures attention with a white backdrop and black lettering. The case of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Orange is presented in solid stainless steel and measures to 43mm in size. It delivers a 200 metre water resistant rating, a Swiss quartz movement and a screw down case back engraved with the familiar chequered adornment characteristic of the Formula 1 collection. The piece is finished on a trendy black nylon strap.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Series
One of the biggest TAG Heuer 2021 watch releases was the new Aquaracer Professional 300 Series. The collection features seven designs in total, plus one limited edition which we will look at separately below. These include four 40mm references and three 36mm references, each carefully retaining the iconic silhouette of historic Aquaracer models but with some subtle contemporary improvements including a redesigned case back, thinner and lighter lugs and a bevy of dial and bezel colourways to choose from. Choose from silver, black, green or blue each engineered from steel, other than the green dialled model which opts for titanium. As always, the iconic 12-sided bezel retains unidirectional capability, but it has now been improved to deliver better usability with an insert of scratch resistant ceramic fluted into the 12 facets. The dials also keep the trademark horizonal striped finish, but the grooved sections are now wider alongside wider sword-shaped Superluminova hands. In six of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 watches, the usual rounded hour markers have been replaced with octagonal pieces and in the blue-dialled 36mm reference, these markers are exchanged for eight VS diamonds totalling to 0.078 carats. All the watches in the collection are powered by the Calibre 5 automatic movement and promise a power reserve of 38 hours.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute Limited Edition
Alongside the release of the Aquaracer Professional 300 Series was a special limited edition of 844 pieces. This number has been chosen especially because to honour a historic TAG Heuer divers watch known as reference 844. Featuring a black dial and bezel, 24 hour time, cathedral shaped hands and powered by the French automatic FE 4611A calibre, the 844 ultimately formed the basis of what would become the TAG Heuer 1000 Professional Series. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute watch maintains the original’s flat black dial and black bezel, vintage coloured lume, and red 24 hour scale but includes some significant changes including a grade 5 titanium case measuring to 43mm, a black unidirectional bezel topped with sapphire crystal glass, a 300 metre water resistant rating and the Calibre 5 automatic winding movement which runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 38 hours. To complete the retro-inspired aesthetic, a black perforated rubber strap is added skilfully adorned with octagonal holes to match the indexes on the dial.
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition
One unexpected collaboration part of the TAG Heuer 2021 watch releases was that between TAG Heuer and Porsche. For many, the new partnership is the perfect marriage, and one that collectors have been anticipating for a while. Both powerhouses are synonymous with precision, performance and power with the Carrera name linked to both. Announced in four variants last year, the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph is the basis of the new Porsche Chronograph Special Edition with its robust and contemporary stainless steel case measuring to 44mm in diameter. Differing the design is the addition of a black ceramic bezel decorated with the Porsche name in red in Porsche’s own font. Fuelling the chronograph complications is the Heuer 02 automatic winding movement which can be seen through the exhibition case back equipped with a newly designed oscillating rotor that looks like the steering wheel of a Porsche 911 Carrera. The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition watch comes on two strap options, the first a classic H-link stainless steel bracelet and the second a black calfskin leather strap.
TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Tourbillion COSC Limited Edition
Another 2021 TAG Heuer release part of their iconic Carrera collection is the new Carrera Heuer 02 Tourbillion COSC Limited Edition. Restricted to only 250 pieces, the design is the first of its kind where the Calibre HEUER02T movement is conveyed on a conventional dial with a small aperture at 6 o’clock peeking into its mechanical performance. The movement is COSC certified, claiming an accuracy of +4 to -6 seconds per day and features a tourbillon feature which counteracts the force of gravity and thus reduces the friction and wear on the calibre. The tourbillon can be seen through the open heart feature on the dial alongside the escapement which effortlessly floats inside. The movement also promises a power reserve of 60 hours. The rest of the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Tourbillion COSC Limited Edition follows in the footsteps of Carrera Chronograph models before it with a 100 metre water resistant rating, lightweight titanium case measuring in at 45mm and a fixed blue ceramic bezel printed with a tachymeter scale.
Tag Heuer Carrera Sport 160 Years Limited Editions
2021 has not only been a big year for TAG Heuer for releases but it also marks their 160th anniversary. In celebration of the event, the luxury watch brand launched two limited edition Carrera Sport Chronographs dressed in a choice of silver or blue. Both designs take inspiration from the classic Heuer “Dato 45”, which in 1965 was the first wrist chronograph ever to feature a turning date disc. Limited to 1,860 pieces each, a number chosen specifically to mark the year of their founding, the watches feature 44mm fine-brushed and polished stainless steel cases and their in-house manufacture Heuer 02 movement which has been detailed with a special oscillating mass to celebrate the anniversary. The movement delivers a healthy power reserve of 80 hours and three subsidiary counter for 12 hours, 30 minutes and small seconds. The blue-dialled variant pairs with a blue ceramic tachymeter fixed bezel while the silver dial contrasts to a black ceramic bezel. Both then opt for sporty red accents and a stainless steel bracelet.
TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition
Another design released in honour of their birthday is the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition. Compared to the two limited editions above, this model opts for a more classic aesthetic inspired by a historic 1960’s Heuer Carrera watch with the reference 2447S. The historic reference was one of the first Carrera models ever released and remains highly coveted for its monochromatic design. The new limited edition of 1,860 pieces beautifully commemorates its predecessor with a similar stainless steel case, slender lugs and fixed bezels. Its case size has been increased from 36mm to 39mm and domed sapphire crystal glass replaces plexiglass. At the centre, the defining silver dial is detailed with a sunburst pattern and three matching chronograph counters with circular graining. Our favourite dial feature on the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition has to be the addition of the former company name at 12 o clock, a neat touch that proves the brand are neither too shy nor proud to show off their heritage. Powering the watch is the Calibre Heuer 02 automatic winding movement which again features an oscillating rotor with the special anniversary engraving.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Limited Edition
Last but certainly not least on our rundown of TAG Heuer 2021 releases is this TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Limited Edition. As well as being the brand’s 160th anniversary, the year celebrates Jack Heuer’s 88th birthday. In the 1970’s, Jack Heuer would often gift 18 carat gold Carrera watches to Ferrari Formula One drivers as a show of good luck. Now, some forty years later, the luxury watch brand makes the same gesture to their past author with a modern 42mm, 18 carat rose gold Carrera. A more luxurious option for collectors, the case is engineered entirely from solid rose gold including the pushers, crown, lugs and buckle. The dial contrasts beautifully to the case with a silver opaline appearance dressed in the words “Heuer 02 80 Hours” which references the movement within. As the dial states, the movement promises a power reserve of 80 hours with column-wheel and vertical-clutch chronograph complication. The sapphire exhibition caseback reveals the oscillating rotor engraved with Jack Heuer’s motto, “Time never stops, why should we?” Also engraved below it is Jack Heuer’s signature.
