A Closer Look at the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph
TAG Heuer has undertaken the task of developing a new material for the making of the hair spring of their latest endeavor. The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph is the recipient of their new carbon featuring a nanoscopic structure. The process embodies the spirit of the name of the brand TAG standing for “techniques d’Avant-Garde.” The horologists have blended scientific discovery with watchmaking in the creation of the new carbon composite material. This is the first watch to feature its use.
The evolution of the Carrera Tourbillon Heuer 02T
The new technology is a vital aspect of the new Tourbillon Nanograph, but there are also other features of the watch that merit a closer look. It gets the special treatment of the new colors along with modern materials and a new movement. This example marks not only the evolution of the Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T, but also an evolution in the technology used in the creation of the movement. These are perhaps the aspects that make it one of the most important pieces in the history of TAG Heuer.
The movement
The Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph is powered by an in-house movement with a new and innovative hairspring made of their new carbon composite material. The creation of the material began with elemental carbon assembled atom by atom to oversee the oscillations of the balance wheel with precision and accuracy while administering anti-magnetic properties and amazing resistance to shock in one of the most advanced features to be included in a timepiece to date. The automatic tourbillon chronograph with chronometer certification. The movement measures 31 mm in diameter and beats at 4 Hz at 28,800 vph with 33 jewels. The power reserve is 65 hours and the movement plate and oscillating mass feature hexagon decorations.
The case
The case is a modular measuring 45 mm in diameter, made of titanium with a black PVD coating. The bezel is carbon with a tachymeter scale and the lugs are made of the same material to make the watch more light in weight. The case back is sculpted to reveal a partial view of the inner mechanical workings of the movement in the same material as the case front, covered with an AR treated sapphire crystal on both sides.
The dial
The dial features a black background with a hexagonal patterned open worked styling. It’s busy with the useful features of the functions including a black flange with a 60 seconds scale, rhodium plated indexes, black-gold plated chronograph minute and hour counters with a tourbillon frame and SuperLuminova filling for the hands . The two register chronograph features 30 minute and 12 hour counters in black with yellow detailing. The watch is protected with a sapphire crystal that has been treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides. It is water resistant for up to 100 meters.
The strap
The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph is fastened to the wrist with a black calfskin leather strap. It fastens with a carbon buckle featuring a folding clasp made of titanium with black PVD coating.
Availability and pricing
The The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph featuring the new carbon hairspring will be offered for a price of CHF 24,900 wih models that do not feature the hairspring and special dial and movement decoration going for a price of CHF 21,500.
Final thoughts
Just when you thought you’d seen everything, a company like TAG Heuer performs an experiment that yields a new and magnificent material that further enhances a watch in its entirety by adding a very special and innovative element to one tiny component of the build. This is a very special occasion and it marks the beginning of yet another advancement in the science end of horological technology. This is where science and craftsmanship meet to form a special connection that leads us into the future in a new era where improvements in the crafting of precision movements has received yet another boost. It marks a very special period of time in which yet another leaf must be added to the books to record this monumental event in the history of watchmaking advancement.
