One of the more interesting announcements from TAG Heuer in 2022 was a sporty Carrera with lab-grown diamonds.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma breaks new ground, not just in the area of lab-grown diamonds, but also in how diamonds can be implemented into a timepiece, without taking away the sportiness. This implementation displays diamonds all over the dial, the case flanks, and the entire crown is one massive 2.5-carat lab-grown diamond — yet the watch achieves a subtle aesthetic.

In addition to the unique use of lab-grown diamonds — almost 12-carats in total — TAG Heuer created a 44 mm diameter case, similar to existing Carrera chronographs, but made from ultra-light sandblasted aluminum.

The “special polycrystalline diamond dial” is the sum of crystals that were grown as one, which is yet another detail of lab-grown diamonds that is interesting because it allowed a flat dial shape to be created with a single diamond. Sitting on top of the dial are 12 baguette-cut lab-grown diamonds (2 diamonds at 12 and none at 6).

Underneath the dial is the TAG Heuer H02 Tourbillon Nanograph movement which features a highly advanced carbon hairspring, developed in-house by the TAG Heuer Institute.

According to TAG Heuer, this is just the start of the TAG Heuer’s Diamant d’Avant-Garde collection. A black leather strap with a grade 2 ADLC treated clasp completes the look of the Carrera Plasma. Retail is expected to be over $350K.

 

Photo by TAG Heuer.