SpotlightExtreme Exhilaration: Presenting The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport And Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport Watches

TAG Heuer seem to be reinventing their Carrera collection by integrating the past and present, via contemporary ‘glassbox’ revivals, with the future, through aerodynamic, racing-inspired skeleton timepieces. TAG Heuer follow their limited 963-piece edition of the Carrera Chronograph X Porsche 963 edition released earlier this year with this muscular new addition to their 2016 Extreme Sport series. The new Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport and Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport timepieces are a step into the future, and, by the looks of it, a sharp, chiselled future it will be. Four new Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport timepieces and two Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport watches display the brand’s innovation with avant-garde material and design, while also highlighting the collection’s racing heritage.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport

Crafted from grade-2 titanium or 18K 5N rose gold, the robust 44mm case of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport timepieces feature a recessed case middle with a fine, grained finish, which gives the watches a distinctly rugged and muscular appeal. This is reflected in the angular, integrated rubber strap last seen in the Carrera Chronograph X Porsche 963, whose design was inspired by aerodynamic NACA ducts known to enhance efficiency in race cars. At three on the case is a grade-5 titanium crown, flanked by matching pushers at two and four o’clock, and a ceramic bezel displays the tachymeter scale. This blend of cutting-edge materials not only gives the Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport timepieces a futuristic feel, but also enhances the ergonomics of the watches. A sapphire crystal window on the titanium caseback offers a glimpse at the brand’s TH20-00 automatic calibre housed within.

On the skeletonised dials, a black flange (which is blue on the blue timepiece) houses the minute track and hour markers generously filled with Super-LumiNova, much like the timekeeping hands. On the orange timepiece, the outline of this minute track is in orange, while the rose gold watch features a gilded frame. A central chronograph hand stands out in hues that match the exposed date ring on the timepieces. Despite the three-dimensional arrangement of the dial, this open date ring considerably enhances the depth of the timepieces. Unlike previous open-worked dials, this is the first time TAG Heuer have skeletonised the sub-dials, and yet legibility remains clear because of the dual outlines for the recorders and the grained black centre decor on the watches.

On the blue Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport timepiece, a blue outline frames the flange that houses the minute track and hour markers

Despite the three dimensional arrangement of the dial, the open date ring that matches the central chronograph hand considerably enhances the depth of the timepiece

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport

Two versions of the Extreme Sport timepieces display a tourbillon at six o’clock on the dial, and are powered by the brand’s TH20-09 calibre. The monochromatic titanium variant features a forged carbon bezel with markings in grey, while the rose gold case and bezel are paired with a black DLC-coated titanium container. A darkened NAC coating on the movement enhances legibility on the skeleton dials, even as Super-LumiNova filled indexes and hands stand out in dimly-lit conditions.

The monochromatic titanium variant of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport features a forged carbon bezel with markings in grey

The Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport with a rose gold case and bezel. A darkened NAC coating on the movement enhances legibility on the skeleton dials

While TAG Heuer may have designed these timepieces for racing enthusiasts, the Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport timepieces will undoubtedly appeal to fans of fine watchmaking, that also involves the use of new-age materials known to enhance ergonomics, comfort and durability. And to those who love a highly-legible open-worked dial, of course.