TAG Heuer released a redesigned version of their 42 mm Carrera Chronograph this week.
Similar to the 44 mm Carrera Sport Chronograph unveiled earlier this year, the 2020 TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 42 mm Heuer 02 has been refreshed. The 42 mm version features a fixed stainless steel bezel — as opposed to the rotating ceramic bezel on the 2020 44 mm Carrera Sport — although they do share the same caliber Heuer 02 in-house movement.
Available in four dial variations — opaline black, sunray brushed blue, anthracite, and silver — the aesthetic features a three-register layout, except the small seconds display at 6 o’clock is done so subtly that it almost appears as though you’re viewing a bi-compax dial. A symmetrical date window sits at the bottom of the small seconds subdial, just like the 44 mm Carrera Sport Chronograph — which makes sense considering they use the same movement.
Along with refined dial colors and finishes the design of the hands, subdials, and tachymeter have been further enhanced. The angle of each end of the applied indices is sloped at the same angle as the color-matched tachymeter flange and the same with the slope of the chronograph subdial ring. The chronograph registers are further distinguished with an azurage finish (stamped circular guilloche).
TAG Heuer did not provide the thickness of the watch or an image of the caseback, but if you click through to the TAG Heuer e-commerce page, you can view a caseback image.
You’ll see — through the screw-in sapphire caseback — that the caliber Heuer 02 fits the 42 mm even more snuggly than the same movement within the 44 mm case, so there’s no leftover space around the perimeter. Plus, they’ve electro-plated the skeletonized oscillating weight with a rose-gold finish, versus darkening it. You can also see the vertical Geneva stripes on the bridges, and the column-wheel mechanism, just like with the latest 44 mm Carrera Chronograph.
The Heuer 02 automatic mechanical movement is made at TAG Heuer’s Chevenez manufacture. It beats at 4Hz, comprises 168 components, including a premium column wheel and a vertical clutch, and has an impressive power reserve of 80 hours.
Available October 2020. Retail is $5,350 with a brown alligator leather strap and anthracite dial, and for the two models with a stainless steel bracelet and blue or black dial. The two-tone version with a silver dial and brown alligator strap is $5,550.
