Introducing: The TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition

January 15, 2020

Jack Heuer knew what he wanted to name the watch even before it had been designed. The high stakes and often deadly Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico had left such an impression on Mr. Heuer that it only took a short year for a watch, named the Carerra in honor of the infamous race, to come to fruition in 1964.? The first Carrera came in two variants, the 2447S and 2447N (N for noir, the black-dialed model; S for silver). These first execution Carreras have become a white whale among the Heuer-obsessed. The watch's handsome monochromatic and balanced looks means they're highly sought after, and there simply aren't that many in existence. Today TAG Heuer has resurrected the aesthetic of one of those very Carreras. The "TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition'' is an interpretation of the 2447S, with a host of modern updates. Fittingly, the watch is limited to 1,860 examples.? The defining feature of the 2447S is a monochromatic silver dial with a light sunburst pattern and three well-positioned counters. The original watch was 36mm, a typical size for 1964; however, the new model has grown to 39mm. Instead of plexiglass youll find a domed sapphire crystal, and the case shape has been altered slightly as well. Powering the watch is the new Caliber Heuer 02. Since the architecture of the Caliber 02 isnt quite the same as the Valjoux 72 that was used in the original watch, the permanent second indicator is now at the 6 o'clock position as opposed to 9 o'clock on the original. The hands are now faceted, and, of course, Luminova replaces tritium. The rotor, visible through the display caseback, wears markings denoting the 160th anniversary of the brand. The 160 years silver limited edition (left) and an original 2447SD(right). Initial Thoughts Ask a dyed-in-the-wool Heuer collector about their favorite Carrera models and the 2447S will surely be among them. Racing chronographs of the 60s tend to be quite busy from a visual standpoint, because they often feature a tachymeter scale and an overabundance of Arabic numerals. The uncomplicated aesthetic of the 2447S sets it apart from its contemporaries. It's clean. It's uncluttered. It's a chronograph for someone who might not typically like chronographs. Theres also a certain elegance to a monochromatic design, devoid as it is of any color accents or superfluous text. TAG Heuer has elected to simply use the Heuer logo like the Heuers of yore used to wear. As a spiritual successor, the Silver Limited Edition echoes all the right chords that were originally struck by the 2447S. In short, the 2447S might be the next-to-ultimate Carerra (the ultimate being the 2456S, of course). To see such an icon in the Heuer world return will excite many, and perhaps stoke the skepticism of purists. The Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition From a technical perspective, the Caliber 02 presents its own set of opportunities and challenges. Since the permanent second indicator had to be repositioned to accommodate the Caliber Heuer 02, with its column wheel and a vertical coupling-clutch, a 1:1 re-creation wasnt possible. A number of small details had to be adapted, so which ones could also be improved? Part of what made the 2447S such a hit with collectors, besides being an early execution, is a sense of balance. The registers are placed perfectly on the dial, the text is minimal, and there's only one color applied to the silver dial.? These elements are present on the Silver Limited Edition. Upsizing the case can throw off the proportions of a watch because theres a domino effect on every aspect of the design. ?An additional three millimeters changes the placement of the registers, which in turn changes the spacing of the text, and so forth. But from the looks of the hi-res press materials, TAG Heuer has pulled it off. Fauxtina is universally divisive, and I'm sure the reaction to its use on this watch will follow the same split as many others.? It's a risky business to reach back into the past and revive something that's so passionately loved by such a robust community. But if the success of the recent series of Monaco re-editions is an indicator, the wider watch world will thoroughly embrace the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition, just as Jack Heuer embraced the outrageous race that was the Carrera Panamericana.?This is one we hope to go hands-on with as soon as we can. The Basics Brand: HeuerModel: TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited EditionReference Number: CBK221B.FC6479Diameter: 39mmCase Material: Stainless SteelDial Color: SilverIndexes: Baton-styleLume: Hands and plots Water Resistance: 100mStrap/Bracelet: Black Alligator Strap The Movement Caliber: Calibre Heuer 02 Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronographDiameter: 31mmThickness: 6.95mmPower Reserve: 80 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Jewels: 33? Pricing & Availability Price: $6,450Availability: Authorized TAG Heuer dealersLimited Edition: Yes, 1,860 piecesFor more, click here.