TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 36 Automatic Flyback 43 mm Full Set 2017

The story

Jack Heuer was a businessman who led the family business to profitability after taking it over in 1962, at the age of 30. The models produced by Heuer during his first decade at the helm of the brand are regarded today as the greatest triumphs in chronograph history: Monaco, Autavia and Monza. And if there's one collection that best illustrates Heuer's approach to watchmaking, it's the Carrera collection.

The TAG Heuer Carrera chronograph was launched in 1963 and takes its name from a meeting between Jack Heuer and the Rodríguez brothers. In the paddocks and refuelling stands of the “12 Hours of Sebring”, Heuer, present as official timekeeper, heard for the first time about the famous Mexican race “Carrera Panamericana”. This race, also known as “Pan-Am”, has been considered particularly dangerous since its inception.

This chronograph therefore pays tribute to the decisive contributions made by TAG Heuer in the field of automotive timekeeping, and its partnerships with the greatest car manufacturers. Important innovations include the Time of Trip (1911), the first on-board chronograph for automobiles; the Mikrograph (1916), the first sports counter accurate to 1/100th of a second; and the Autavia (1933), the first 12-hour on-board counter for the automotive and aviation sectors.

The priority of the Carrera collection has always been absolute legibility, Jack Heuer's obsession. It's this focus on legibility and precision that has made the Carrera an instant success, embraced by watch and motorsport enthusiasts alike, acclaimed for its timeless design and sleek styling.

The model

This model takes up the design of the famous Mikrograph presented in 2011! It features a 43 mm-diameter steel case with long, faceted lugs and a slim bezel, echoing the style of the 1960s models. On the right-hand side, there are two “piston” type pushers.

On the dial side, we find a bi-compax configuration with a design inspired by “Stopwatches”, the famous dashboard chronographs sold by Heuer in the 50s/60s. Indeed, the dial features a unique double-scale design. It features a large external scale to indicate chronograph seconds at a glance, while hours and minutes are indicated by a dedicated ring in the central part of the dial. This explains the difference in hand lengths: the relatively short hands are used to read the time of day, on the inner track, while the chronograph seconds hand is longer, to read the seconds on the outer track. The perceived quality is perfect, and we love the double set of finishes and the superb hand-applied indexes.

At counter level, we find the running seconds at 9 o'clock and a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o'clock. A small date window is located at 6 o'clock.

This dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal to great effect, and the whole is dressed up by a black calf leather strap fitted with a folding clasp.

An El Primero Flyback caliber

Beneath the sleek lines of this TAG Heuer Carrera lies a truly legendary caliber! It is equipped with the 36 Flyback caliber, an El Primero movement. This decision is not insignificant, as TAG Heuer and Zenith are two watchmaking houses belonging to the LVMH group.

No need to introduce this legendary movement, but let's add a clarification about this version used. It features a “Flyback” complication, ideal for motor racing, where every second counts. Imagine a driver measuring lap times. Rather than stopping, resetting and restarting his stopwatch each time, he simply presses a single button and the mechanism performs these three actions simultaneously. This function, originally developed for aviators, quickly became a standard feature in the world of motorsports. It allows drivers and teams to save precious time during timing, testing and racing, optimizing their strategy and performance.

The package

This 2017 Carrera Calibre 36 is in perfect condition! It has just been fully serviced by the TAG Heuer workshops. It will be delivered to you Full Set with its case and all its documents. This chronograph has been authenticated and checked by our watchmaker and as such benefits from our Lepage Vintage 1-year warranty.