Overview
In the early 1960s the Heuer watch company began work on the development of a clean and legible chronograph that would be used for timing car races. The idea stemmed from an interaction CEO Jack Heuer had with Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez de la Vega in 1962. The two brothers, who drove for Ferrari at the time, spoke of the dangerous Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico that ran the previous decade. Jack was so captivated by the name that he registered it for Heuer and within one year developed the racing chronograph he’d been dreaming of—the Heuer Carrera.
Since its inception the Carrera has seen various notable developments, including the incorporation of an automatic movement in 1969, the adoption of barrel-shaped cases in the 1970s, and a resurgence of the original design in the late 1990s following the Quartz Crisis. For its 60th anniversary, at Watches and Wonders 2023, TAG Heuer unveiled the latest generation of Carreras that embody the essence of the originals with a few modern twists that elevate them beyond mere reproductions.
The new chronographs were presented in two configurations, sporting either a monotone blue or black reverse panda dial reminiscient of the iconic bi-compax and tri-compax designs of the 1960s. The case is decidedly contemporary at 39mm, yet its 46mm lug-to-lug allows it to feel better proportioned than the 42mm Carreras equipped with the same movement.
The standout feature, though, is the innovative "glassbox" design, which boasts a highly domed sapphire crystal that gracefully curves in parallel over a raised tachymeter scale, ensuring legibility even at extreme viewing angles. These are precision instruments meant to be worn behind the wheel of a car, after all. The result is one of the more alluring standard production Carreras in recent memory, with a dramatic display of dimensionality and readability that few other chronographs on the market can replicate.
Specifications
Brand:
TAG Heuer
Model:
Carrera 'Glassbox'
Reference:
CBS2210.FC6534
Year:
2023
Case Number:
WTE0997
Case Material:
Stainless steel
Diameter:
39 mm
Lug Width:
20 mm
Thickness:
14.3 mm
Lug-to-Lug:
45.7 mm
Dial:
Black
Lume:
Super-LumiNova
Crystal:
Sapphire
Movement:
Automatic
Caliber:
TAG Heuer TH20-00
Bracelet/Strap:
TAG Heuer black perforated calfskin strap with push button deployant clasp.
Max Wrist Size:
Hand model has a wrist size of 6.2 in
Condition
Case: The case is in pristine condition and shows absolute minimal signs of wear. There are only a few very faint hairlines to the lugs and the case side opposite the crown. The lugs are thick, sharp, and beautifully faceted. The caseback is clean and consistent with the rest of the watch, showing only a couple micro hairlines. The rear sapphire is still protected by the original sticker. The model and serial engravings remain sharp and detailed.
Dial, Hands, & Crystal: The reverse panda dial and polished hands are in fantastic condition with fully functioning Super-LumiNova. The front and rear sapphire crystals are squeaky clean and scratch-free.
Bracelet/Strap: The TAG Heuer perforated calfskin strap shows very light signs of wear. There are a couple faint marks and indentations to the leather from usage with the deployant clasp. The folding mechanism of the clasp retains the original blue protective stickers. The outer clasp is super clean with no blemishes to note.
Performance
Functions: All functions including the crown winding, time setting, date changing, and chronograph start/stop/reset are working as expected.
Service History: None.
