Earlier this year, TAG Heuer released four new revamped Carrera Calibre 16 timepieces to join its well-loved (and arguably one of its most popular) line of motor racing inspired timepieces. With the first iteration of the Carrera released in 1963 for the legendary Carrera PanAmericana—where the line also took its name from—it continues to evolve but remain rooted in its racing heritage.
The new Calibre 16 takes several design cues from its predecessors and features a 41mm stainless steel case and a sunray black or sunray blue dial. The steel case wraps around a ceramic bezel fitted with a tachymeter scale. The design updates are quite subtle, yet essential. It focused on improving functionality, legibility, and wearability.
The watch’s index markers are now filled with SuperLuminova, for optimal visibility at any condition improving legibility vastly as the previous iterations of the Calibre 16 only had dots of luminescent material on the index.
The new pieces also feature the classic angular lugs that point to the Carrera line’s rich motorsport history but they are made shorter, though, to give the case a thinner and sleeker appearance. Further distinguishing the new models is the stainless-steel case and a balance of brushed and polished finishes that give the watch a more dynamic character. The black or blue ceramic bezel also appears larger since it no longer has a metal ring along the outer edge. This change underscores the sporty look of this elegant timepiece.
Inside, it is powered by the automatic Calibre 16, protected by a stamped caseback with the collection name and a tyre-track pattern that serves as a nod to the collection’s heritage of high speed and adventure. The crown has also been given a slight upgrade with black lacquer around the centre and the TAG Heuer shield.
The design of the Carrera Calibre 16 is thoughtful with the splashes of color they’ve put on the watch: red on the black and orange on the blue. The little hints of color are subtler than the other models of the Carrera and can be found on the tips of the central chronograph hands, on the tip of the second hand, on the tachymeter indexes, along the edge from 12 o’clock to 3 o’clock, and ringed around the start/stop pusher at 2 o’clock—all of which add a modern touch and serves to bring the piece together. While the piece also comes in a stainless steel bracelet, I personally prefer the gorgeous perforated calfskin leather straps (tan and black) that have the same touches of color as the watches translated onto the stitching.
