One of the many, many things I did not get to see at Baselworld was the introduction of TAG Heuer's Carrera Heritage series to the annual watch and jewelry show. The watch, which actually debuted in October, “evokes the glamor and sophistication that defined the 1960s,” the company said, when the original Carrera was developed.
The timepieces are powered by a modern calibre 6 or calibre 16 movement, the collection is designed to look like they have been handed down across generations. This feel is achieved through details such as the flinque texture on the dials and a decorative motif of undulating lines that is traditionally found on vintage timepieces. This aesthetic is complemented by the timepieces' raised and curved Arabic numerals, which are featured in a blue, rose gold, polished silver or 18k gold, depending on the model.
In designing the Carrera Heritage series, TAG Heuer delved into its archives, pulling specific elements, including the linear shape of the push buttons and tapered hour and minute hands, from a 1945 Heuer timepiece. Also drawn from this nearly 70-year-old watch were the hands for the small, second counter and chronograph, which boast an elegant delta shape. These stand in stark contrast to the stick-straight hands that sweep along today's timepieces, adding to the new models' antique appeal.
It is available in either a watch or chronograph.