TAG Heuer’s latest release gets involved in the Chinese New Year! Channelling the power and majesty of the horse, they’ve unveiled a new Glassbox Dato model.
Starting from 17 February is the Chinese New Year, with festivities running through to the beginning of March. This year, the zodiac animal in the spotlight is the horse, representing strength, courage, and unstoppable momentum. Perhaps no watch brand bonds so naturally with such symbolism as TAG Heuer.
TAG Heuer has a history of being at the forefront of sport, motorsport, and avant-garde innovation. There, the LVMH brand has discovered its fair share of strength, courageous moments, and in recent years has built unstoppable momentum as a premium force within the industry. Having long leveraged the Carrera as a canvas for commemorative and culturally significant releases, it feels entirely appropriate for the brand to mark such an auspicious time of year.
Thus, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Fire Horse was born. A considered marriage of Swiss tradition and Eastern symbolism, the timepiece uses the architecture of the Carrera Glassbox line to commemorate the Chinese New Year. More specifically, it utilises the same layout as the unconventional Dato model unveiled at LVMH Watch Week 2024.
The new limited edition TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox comes in the familiar stainless steel dimensions of its contemporaries. Measuring 39mm across, 46mm lug to lug, and 13.86mm thick, the watch offers a retro yet undeniably elegant wearing experience.
While a near-14mm thickness on a 39mm case may raise concerns for some, this is largely attributable to the curved, distortion-free sapphire crystal. Treated with a double anti-reflective coating, the glassbox crystal ensures optimal legibility from virtually any angle. Paired with the brand’s relatively new beads-of-rice bracelet, the design should prove comfortable on most wrist sizes.
Where it begins to differ from its teal sibling, however, is in its dial design. The Carrera’s sunray-brushed champagne dial is complemented by warm red accents, evoking both good fortune and the strength of the horse. This red is most prominent in the three o’clock 30-minute chronograph register and the central chronograph seconds hand.
Meanwhile, the date window at nine o’clock displays the Chinese character for Horse in place of the numeral seven, denoting its position in the Chinese zodiac. Completed with rose gold accents and a tachymeter on the flange, the watch demonstrates TAG Heuer’s ability to merge its sporting DNA with festive expression artfully.
Like the original Dato, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Fire Horse is powered by the automatic Calibre TH20-07. Beating at 4Hz (28,800VpH) and offering an 80-hour power reserve, this iteration of the TH20 series is unique in its execution.
Based on the vintage 1968 Heuer Carrera Dato 45, reference 3147, it retains the same nine o’clock date placement and three o’clock chronograph register as the original. Enhancing the package is the sapphire caseback, adorned with an embossed illustration of a galloping horse and a finely engraved victory wreath, celebrating achievement and the spirit of motion. It’s a detail that’s bound to capture eyes, imaginations, and hopefully the wallets of watch lovers everywhere.
My Thoughts
Last year, I was a little disheartened to hear that TAG Heuer had not produced a Year of the Snake limited edition. As the Year of the Snake is my birth year, it was something I had been quietly anticipating, particularly following the Dragon and Rabbit releases for 2024 and 2023, respectively.
However, the new Carrera Chronograph Year of the Fire Horse more than makes up for it. Demonstrating many of the refinements the brand has introduced over the past few years, it feels like a breath of fresh air in an already burgeoning roster of standout watches.
By marrying the Carrera’s iconic 39mm design with subtle yet striking references to the Fire Horse, TAG Heuer has created a modern symbol of courage and motion. Those born in the Year of the Horse must be more than pleased with how this one turned out.
Reference: CBS221D.BA0048
Specifications
- Dimensions: 39mm case diameter x 46mm lug-to-lug x 13.86mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Sunray-brushed champagne with red & rose gold accents
- Movement: Automatic Cal. TH20-07 with chronograph (30min) & date complications
- Crystal: Sapphire glassbox crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Power Reserve: 80h
- Beat Rate: 4Hz (28,800VpH)
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Steel beads-of-rice bracelet with butterfly clasp