TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer Watch Review
Recently in Geneva, the famous Swiss avant-garde brand unveiled a new model that shocked the assembled watch press; the TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer, a model that eschews a chronograph, instead looking to the heavens. We tasked US-based Meehna Goldsmith to find out more about this latest model which also features the new Calibre 7 automatic movement.
TAG Heuer moonphase
During Geneva Watch Days, TAG Heuer released the Carrera Astronomer. The Carrera Astronomer? I certainly didn’t see this one coming. From its inception, the brand specialised in precision chronographs, stopwatches and dashboard timers. On planet earth, it dominated racetracks, rallies and regattas. No tradition of astronomical complications. Look through its archives and there aren’t any moonphase or sidereal timepiece references. How could this possibly make sense?
The Carrera is arguably TAG Heuer’s most iconic and recognisable timepiece. From its introduction in 1963, the Carrera redefined chronograph design. Jack Heuer opened up the dial by repositioning the chronograph scale to an angled inner flange beneath the crystal. This simple but ingenious epiphany decluttered the dial, increasing readability. Other refinements included slightly recessed registers, high-contrast black or silver dials and polished hands, sharpening the focus even further. The sexy angular case, flickering with a diamond-polished finish and angular lugs, was also purpose-built to maximise the dial’s visibility.
Heuer 2915A stopwatch – the first Swiss timepiece in space
Not many know – even professed TAG Heuer enthusiasts – that the brand had a brush with moondust before the Carrera made its debut. In 1962, the Heuer 2915A stopwatch hitched a ride aboard NASA’s Friendship 7 spacecraft strapped over John Glenn’s spacesuit. While the spacecraft relied upon its own timing systems, Glenn purportedly used the 2915A as backup as he circled the Earth three times. There are also claims that the 2915A was the first Swiss timepiece to pass through the stratosphere.
The Heuer 2915A, introduced around 1958-1959, was part of Heuer’s professional timing line. In a 45mm, chrome-plated brass case, it had a big crown plus pusher at 12 o’clock. The dial had large, high-contrast black numerals on a white background, making it easy to read while in motion. And, of course, a robust and precise movement with Heuer’s re-engineered pin-lever to withstand high-frequency start/stop/reset cycles.
TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer – a delightful surprise
So as you can see, TAG Heuer is absolutely staying in its lane by introducing the Carrera Astronomer – albeit by surprise. And who can resist a delightful surprise? In the 21st century, we don’t need a mechanical complication to let us know the phases of the moon. You can check that on your phone. But, that’s beside the point. Watches that incorporate moonphases and other astronomical complications gracing the dial are wonderful. They provide a personal connection to the universe. A way to see where you fit in the cycle of night and light in the cosmos. These complications employ micro-engineering to poetically impart meaning.
TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer – a unique moonphase complication
You can bet that TAG Heuer would define a new approach in tracking the moonphase, in keeping with its innovative history. The Carrera Astronomer locates the moonphase complication at 6 o’clock with a rotating disc that shows seven moon stages rendered with precision and built for supreme legibility. Two slender arrows, calibrated for daily motion, display the current phase of the moon in addition to its position in the 29.5-day cycle. Usually, moon phases are presented on the dial as abstract displays, more a decorative addition than one able to be deciphered. Here, the Carrera Astronomer opts for functionality combined with artistic rhythm. At the stroke of 1:00 am, the lunar disc mimics the exact moon movement.
TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer – a new movement
With the Carrera Astronomer, TAG Heuer debuts the new Calibre 7, a mechanical movement with a 50-hour power reserve. Viewed from the rear, the 39 mm case shows an astronomical observatory, paying respect to the cosmos. Also engraved on the back is the Victory Wreath, representing TAG Heuer’s adherence to excellence in its creations.
TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer – three versions
The Carrera Astronomer comes in three renditions. The first model will enter TAG Heuer’s main collection. Composed of a stainless steel case with a screwdown caseback, it features a sun-brushed silver dial and a black moonphase disc highlighted by a black flange. The silver and grey colours let your eyes immerse into deep space. Rhodium-plated hands glowing with Super-LumiNova circle Arabic numerals, lighting up the dial at night, while the seconds hand circles round 60-second markers. The brand secures the watch to the wrist with a modern update to its famous beads of rice bracelet from the 1960s.
The next two Carrera Astronomers are both limited editions of 500 individually numbered pieces. One offers a silver dial with a grey flange, allowing the turquoise Super-LumiNova accents to pop. This model is complete with a grey leather strap secured with a steel fine-brushed, polished double folding clasp with double safety push-buttons.
The final reference combines stainless steel with rose gold. The 18K 5N rose gold-plated flange and matching hands, lined with Super-LumiNova, give a more sophisticated, elegant presentation and highlight the tone-on-tone palette of the moonphase display. Matching the composition is a steel and 18K 5N rose gold fine-brushed bracelet that gives a hat tip to the beads-of-rice structure.
Closing remarks
The Carrera Astronomer at first consideration might seem like it comes out of left field but on closer examination, it’s a natural progression for an avant-garde brand that famously ventured into space back in 1962. This latest model, presented in TAG Heuer’s inimitable style, perpetuates the brand’s reputation for precision and legibility while at the same time gazing at the heavens. It is sure to leave you moonstruck.
Further reading
https://www.tagheuer.com/gb/en/
Technical specification
- Model: TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer
- Reference: WBX2112.FC6615 (silver sunray brushed dial and grey leather strap)
- Reference: WBX2110.BA0044 (silver sunray brushed dial and presented on steel bracelet)
- Reference: WBX2111.BD0002 (silver sunray brushed dial and presented on 18K 5N gold bracelet)
- Case: diameter 39 mm, water resistance 10ATM (100 metres), sapphire crystal to front, steel screw-down caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, centre seconds, moonphase
- Movement: Calibre 7, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), power reserve 50 hours
- Price: WBX2112.FC6615 – £3,900 (RRP as of 4.10.2025)
- Price: WBX2110.BA0044 – £4,050 (RRP as of 4.10.2025)
- Price: WBX2111.BD0002 – £6,200 (RRP as of 4.10.2025)