Regarding gift-giving, dads aren’t the easiest people to shop for. They hardly splurge on themselves; for many, owning two or more pieces of the same accessory is functionally redundant and nonsensical. Father’s day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the occasion than treating him with something grand?
While the thought counts, it is nice to go way beyond the usual from time to time. This article covers the five most opulent watches from TAG Heuer’s Carrera line that are worthy of your consideration. Keep reading if you’re eyeing a stunning Carrera watch for your hubby or old man. It surely won’t fail to impress!
History of TAG Heuer Carrera: It’s Inspired by a Racing Event
La Carrera Panamericana was one of the most famous events in car racing history, attracting the world’s most excellent drivers and devoted fans. Its first edition was held in 1950 but was canceled five years later due to cost and safety concerns.
With 27 fatalities during its five-year run, The Mexican Road Race is infamous for being the world’s most dangerous race of any type. But, that didn’t stop it from inspiring one of the most elegant sports watches today.
The TAG Heuer Carrera is a tribute to La Carrera Panamericana. First introduced in 1963, the chronograph is designed for professional drivers with its precision timing and refined indexes that are easy to read even at full speed.
Fast forward to 2023, the Carrera watch continues to be the benchmark for precision, reliability, and exceptional quality. It appeals to men on the lookout for watches that balance style, performance, and luxury—and these are but some of the many features that make TAG Heuer Carrera a great Father’s Day gift.
5 Luxury TAG Heuer Carrera Watches for Father’s Day
- TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche
This limited-edition chronograph is a relatively new release embodiment of the prestige, strong aesthetics, and performance that TAG Heuer and Porsche represent. It incorporates Porsche’s signature racing yellow color in various elements, including the Porsche logo on the bezel, crown, and other graphic details. It glows in the dark, emitting a yellow hue, and provides a stark contrast against black—a color that further adds to the watch’s elegance.
TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche is based on the Carrera Sport Chronograph and runs on the Calibre Heuer 02—a movement entirely manufactured in-house and with an impressive 80-hour power reserve. It has redesigned the original version’s oscillating mass but still pays homage to the iconic Porsche steering wheel. The watch is finished with a double-stitched leather strap, reminiscent of the seat upholstery of Porsche cars. It is limited to 1,500 pieces and costs approximately $7,000.
- TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma
If you think 1,500 pieces are few, then you probably have not heard of TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma. As TAG Heuer CEO Frédéric Arnault puts it, there will be “more than once, but less than a dozen” of these watches, each costing nearly half a million Swiss francs.
It is regarded as the horological equivalent of a demonstrator aircraft—a demonstrator watch that is the first to use lab-grown diamond settings instead of natural diamonds. This technical disruption has unlocked new design possibilities that no other watch brand has ever done before.
- TAG Heuer Carrera Twin-Time 2021
The TAG Heuer Carrera Twin-Time was part of the updated Carrera Three Hands collection in 2021. Aesthetics-wise, it shares many features of the 2020 Carrera Chronograph with subtle improvements to the dial, case, and bracelet. It has the ruggedness of a tool watch, but the refined elegance of its stainless steel and glossy blue dial perfectly balances it out.
Instead of the in-house Heuer 02 chronograph movement, the Twin-Time is powered by the performance-driven Calibre 7 automatic movement that packs a 50-hour power reserve. This timepiece is more functional yet sophisticated than your average sports watch and should be one of your Father’s Day gift options.
- TAG Heuer Carrera Three-Hand Day-Date 41mm
The TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date is a set of watches launched under the Carrera Three-Hands collection. It follows the same overall direction as the Carrera Date in the same collection, except for some significant differences such as its slightly larger size, the placement of the secondary indications, and the day-date display. You get the same polished and brushed surfaces, angular lugs, and a domed and beveled sapphire crystal.
The watch runs on the same Calibre 5 movement that you can find on the Carrera Day-Date, but with an added jewel for the day display. But, where TAG Heuer mixed things up is in the band: instead of the usual stainless steel bracelet, the silver dial sits on an elegant brown alligator leather strap.
- TAG Heuer Carrera 160th Anniversary Limited Edition
The first-ever Carrera was a modest tool watch prized for its legibility. It was as minimalist as any chronograph can be, and in celebration of its 160th anniversary, the classic design is reimagined as a modern-day automatic chronograph.
The differences between the 2020 version and its predecessor boil down to using the Heuer 02 chronograph movement instead of the vintage hand-wound Valjoux 72. It necessitated a slightly larger case—from 36mm to 39mm—and re-arranged the sub-dials to accommodate its design.
The limited-edition piece proves that you don’t have to change anything in something that’s already perfect. It is a welcome reminder of what a classic chronograph can look like. The absence of extra features such as a tachymeter bezel allows the timepiece to pass as an everyday watch, something that vintage watch fans enjoy.
Takeaway
With TAG Heuer, you might set the bar higher for yourself regarding gift-giving. These watches’ luxury, style, and features make them the perfect gift for your dad. Luxury at its finest, these Carrera watches should be on every Father’s Day wish list.
Which of these TAG Heuer Carrera watches is your favorite? Browse for more watch options by visiting WatchShopping.com. Thanks for reading until the end, and we hope you found this post helpful!