TAG Heuer has unlocked the latent potential of its model, transforming it from a more conventional chronograph into one that pushes the boundaries of high-end watchmaking. A prime example of this evolution is the Carrera Caliber Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph, featuring a groundbreaking carbon composite hairspring protected by a patented design.
When this design made its debut in January 2019, it stole the spotlight at the annual SIHH conference. Since its reintroduction, the Carrera collection has seen significant enhancements. Notable iterations include the 40th Anniversary Carrera in 2003, the Grand Carrera in 2007, and the Carrera created in tribute to Jack Heuer’s 80th birthday in 2012.
The Evolution
In 2015, TAG Heuer introduced one of the most significant updates to the Carrera with the debut of the Carrera Connected, the brand’s first smartwatch. TAG Heuer also launched a limited edition Carrera by Fragment Design and Hiroshi Fujiwara, inspired by a wristwatch offered by Heuer in the mid-1960s.
Regarding the latest Carrera, the replica Carrera Reference 2447 NT, we sought the opinion of Jeff Stein, the founder and curator of the vintage Heuer website, watchesyoga. Today in Tokyo, Hiroshi Fujiwara, the globally renowned Japanese streetwear organizer, influencer, designer, and founder of Fragment, announced his collaboration with TAG Heuer. As you might have guessed by now, this collaboration led to the creation of a remarkable timepiece.
The New Collaboration
Fujiwara’s collaboration has resulted in a new interpretation of the Carrera, specifically the replica TAG Heuer Carrera Fragment Edition. This partnership has not only excited us but has also produced an extraordinary watch. In 1962, Heuer introduced the Autavia, its first chronograph with a model name, followed by the Carrera in the late spring of 1963.
The new replica TAG Heuer Carrera watches retained key features of their Reference 2447 predecessor, with notable updates including the inclusion of the Carrera name on the dial. The addition of an inner bezel/tension ring, previously reserved for 1/5 second increments, was another significant enhancement.
The replica TAG Heuer Carrera Fragment features a 39mm case, reminiscent of vintage models, with engraved lugs, straight case sides, polished bezels without scales, simple mushroom chronograph pushers, and an exposed crown. The case, made entirely of polished steel, maintains the original design introduced by Heuer in 1963.
The Conclusion
The replica TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Fragment Design model boasts larger and more pronounced branding, with steel markers replacing the vintage lume plots, providing a cleaner aesthetic. The flat dial of the Fragment Carrera adds a contemporary touch, emphasizing its presence on the wrist.