JToddH
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INCOMING! TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 102nd Indy 500 Limited Edition. …and my review.
If I’ve learned one thing about watch collecting, it’s that new releases, especially Limited Editions are predictably unpredictable. Until now.
When I purchased my Carrera Heuer-01 to commemorate the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016, I had no idea I was starting a tradition that would inspire me to purchase a new TAG Heuer Carrera at a specific time every year thereafter. It just seems crazy.
Sure, TAG Heuer has done Limited and Special Editions for Indy dating back to the early ‘60s, but if you know my passion for racing and for the Heuer-01, you can understand why the 100th Indy500 Heuer-01 was a natural fit for me - a perfect storm to feed my obsessions.
Here it is! The new TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 Indy 500 LE!
Fast forward to May, 2018
I just received my Carrera Heuer-01 to commemorate the 102nd running of the Indy500 coming up this weekend. Not only is this my fourth Heuer-01, it’s my third Limited Edition for Indy. It is an undeniable trend.
By passion, not by design, I am now committed to the Indy theme within my budding collection.
The previous two Heuer-01 Indy LEs were primarily black, so it was refreshing when TAG Heuer chose make this years watch in steel with a blue ceramic bezel. The brand also went with their 43mm chassis and a steel bracelet.
For those who feel 45mm is too big, you may find this year’s offering more to your taste. Personally I like larger watches, so either size is fine with me.
This year, TAG Heuer chose to use their “Drive Timer” dial as they did with last year’s model. The similarities stop there. Sure, they’re both Heuer-01s, same movement, same dial – yet this year’s watch has a completely different personality.
There is something clean, rugged and sensual about the stainless case and bracelet. With the added touches of red and blue, we have a reminder that this watch is a celebration of America’s greatest race.
And if you happen to be Alexander Rossi, TAG Heuer ambassador and winner of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, this watch is a pretty good match for your #98 car!
Of course the most unique feature of this year’s LE is the blue ceramic bezel. I could throw out adjectives all day long and still fall short of accurately describing the color. This thing isn’t a color, it’s a chameleon.
Part of the difficultly of photographing this watch is that the bezel takes on a new character with every new light adjustment. In the sun, the color starts as a vibrating bright blue with a somewhat turquoise tint.
As the clouds roll in or you step into shade, the bezel morphs into a deep navy blue. In some environments, the bezel turns almost black. It’s simply mesmerizing - and it is a pleasure to watch the various personalities of the bezel reveal themselves.
As mentioned, the bezel surrounds TAG Heuer’s iconic Drive Timer dial with plentiful details and lots of depth. The applied numerals contrast the black gold plating of the brushed dial and are deep and well-defined.
The hour and minute hands are rhodium plated with a generous application of white Superluminova.
How generous is the lume? You decide. The photo below was shot on manual without any additional color corrections.
Some of my favorite details are the concave sides of the chronograph subdials. As with other TAG Heuer chronographs, the brand distinguishes the chrono functions with red lacquered hands while the rhodium plated hand of the running seconds is polished to a mirrored finish.
Unlike the open “Azurage” counters of the chronograph registers, the running seconds receive a backdrop of black gold plating with a striking, brushed sunray pattern. It makes for a perfect canvas to receive the iconic Indy 500 logo.
One feature that surprised me was design of the end links. I’ve become accustomed to my other Heuer-01s with straps that have smooth, flat black covers between the lugs. In the case of this bracelet, the links appear to grow directly from the case.
Though I have numerous bracelets from other brands, I couldn’t help but appreciate the subtle sculpting of the end links on this model. Even with the center links, they alternate between smaller, polished links and larger brushed links.
Collectively, the so-called “H” link bracelet, once properly fitted, molds comfortably around the wrist and stays firmly in place.
The exhibition case back is standard for the Heuer-01’s, in this case hosting the logo for this year’s race. Obscured by the Indy logo, the back crystal provides just a peek at the Calibre Heuer-01, TAG Heuer’s in-house produced, column wheel chronograph movement that powers this Carrera.
At 43mm, this Heuer-01 is still a beast of a watch. The steel version does feel a bit heavier than it’s titanium siblings, but it rides comfortably on my wrist and is balanced out nicely by its rugged bracelet.
Even absent the Indy 500 LE branding, the steel & ceramic 43mm Carrera Heuer-01 is a lot of watch for the money. And despite TAG Heuer positioning itself as “entry level luxury,” nothing feels entry level about this watch.
This weekend, I’ll head to The Brickyard well armed, or at least well wristed, for the 102nd running of the Indy 500. Sure there are a lot of watches out there, many with car or racing themes, but make no mistake - at America’s greatest race TAG Heuer reigns supreme. Simply look across the finish line at the Indy 500 and you’ll see a single TAG Heuer logo on the wall. If you look to the left, or the right, you will see no other logo from any other company of any sort. It’s because the relationship between TAG Heuer and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one steeped in tradition. When you’re at the Indy500, you are in the house of TAG Heuer.
More posts:
INCOMING! TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 102nd Indy 500 Limited Edition. …and my review.
If I’ve learned one thing about watch collecting, it’s that new releases, especially Limited Editions are predictably unpredictable. Until now. When I purchased my Carrera Heuer-01 to commemorate the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016, I had no...
I would say....
a decent effort on their part. I personally much preferred my, now sold, all black Grand Carrera with the El Primero calibre. The one with the Vernier scale . Cheers, Filip
Thanks JToddH for sharing this.. the box is nice
and look a little bit vintage.. and the iconic Indy 500 logo really add to the watch in a very vintage yet cool feel to it.. enjoy your new watch.. Yang
When is a collection a Collection?
Todd, We used to say here that one watch is requirement, two watches are for a spare but three watches is a collection. So, now with four, you definitely have a Collection of TAG Heuer 01 calibre watches. I find it fascinating how they make variations for...
It is exciting to have this "theme" in my collection
As you may recall, I also have the Hublot F1 King Power. Again, I love race inspired watches. I fully expect to add both Red Bull models as my budget allows, and probably the Aston Martin as well. As for next year's watch, I'm as excited as anyone to see ...
Love the lume shot!
A fine addition to your collection Todd, I think i prefer the black one, but only just! Great lume shot as well, I didn't know the numbers on those were lumed... www.tagheuerenthusiast.blogspot.com
