TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm
Angus Davies provides an in-depth review of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm. This watch shares similar design codes to the Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 39mm, previously reviewed on ESCAPEMENT, but exhibits a very different character.
This detailed review of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm includes live images, specification details and pricing.
A few months ago, I reviewed the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic 39mm, after falling for its clean and simple lines at Baselworld earlier this year. Simultaneously, the Swiss brand released its larger sibling, TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm. It is this latter model which has now caught my gaze and is the focal point of this review.
The dial
The dial shares many design elements of the smaller, TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic 39mm, yet it looks decidedly different. This version exhibits a warmer character courtesy of rose gold detail on the dial.
Rose gold applied hour markers, resembling truncated isosceles triangles, create alluring areas of brightness and shade with their faceted forms. Their raised profile delivers a delightful depth to the dial and exudes an air of luxury.
The faceted hour and minute hands feature luminescent fill towards their tips, ensuring ease of read-off in restricted light.
Encircling the dial is a chapter ring, featuring simple black strokes and Arabic numerals. It co-operates with the central sweep seconds hand to convey time with perfect articulation. Indeed, this is a watch which does not require elocution lessons, it enunciates hours, minutes and seconds perfectly.
In common with the Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic 39mm, the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm, as the name implies, displays the prevailing date at 3 o’clock. However, this model also displays the day via an adjacent aperture.
Both the day and date are framed with a golden aperture, guiding the eyes to the information presented. The day and date are presented in a black modern font, against two pristine white discs, delivering information with sublime clarity. Interestingly, the inclusion of a day, together with the use of rose gold on several of the dial components, makes a huge difference to the appearance and delivers a very different persona to the aforementioned 39mm model. While different, both offer equally handsome and attractive displays.
The applied rose gold TAG Heuer logo reinforces the sense of luxury, resplendently shining in ambient light.
The case
The slightly larger 41mm case diameter of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm suits my own large physique slightly better and, courtesy of its increased size, delivers a larger dial area, enhancing readability.
All surfaces of the case are highly polished, never appear garish or excessive, but rather exhibiting decorum at all times.
The crown is simple to grip and adjust without unduly protruding from the case band. It features a TAG Heuer logo adorning its vertical flank.
The case back is slightly cambered, enhancing free movement of the wrist, and features a sapphire crystal centre stage.
The movement
The Calibre 5 is a self-winding movement with a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and power reserve of 38 hours.
The oscillating mass is partly open-worked and is adorned with a combination of Côtes de Genève motif and colimaçon decoration. Circular graining is visible on the bridges and mainplate.
The movement architecture allows the wearer to freely see many of the components within the Calibre 5 movement. The balance, index regulator, ratchet wheel and transmission wheel can be readily seen, together with some of the gear train wheels. I always appreciate movements which reveal much of the inner processes necessary to display time and this movement does not disappoint.
Price is inextricably linked to specification and, in particular, finissage. This watch is offered at a very affordable retail price of £2495 (RRP as at 23.9.2014). At this price point, I think the level of finishing is very pleasant and whilst it is no match for TAG Heuer’s haute horlogerie creations, it delivers much value for money.
Closing remarks
The song, “What a Difference a Day Makes”, was released in 1959 and made popular by Dinah Washington. The song title could equally apply to the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic Watch 41mm.
By combining a silver opaline dial, rose gold hands, golden hour markers and adding a day display, TAG Heuer has produced a watch which appears wholly different from the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic 39mm.
I can’t pretend that I have a strong preference for one model in favour of the other. They both deliver much appeal. Arguably, the presence of the rose gold detail makes the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm appear a little more dressier, but then the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic 39mm with black dial and cool steel elements is arguably more versatile, perfectly suiting casual or formal attire.
The price differential between the two watches is small, the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm is priced at £2495 (RRP as at 23.9.2014), just £400 more than its smaller sibling.
Seldom do I sit on the fence or feel such an overwhelming sense of ambivalence, but TAG Heuer has flummoxed me on this occasion. I know I keep repeating myself, but I genuinely find it difficult to choose between the two timepieces. Both models offer good looks, a Swiss movement and a comfortable fit. Indeed, whichever model you select, I doubt you will be disappointed.
Technical Specification
- Model: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic 41mm
- Reference: WAR201D.FC6291
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 41.00 mm; water resistant to 10 bar (100 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; central sweep seconds; day; date.
- Movement: Calibre 5; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); power reserve 38 hours
- Strap: Brown alligator leather strap presented on a steel folding clasp with safety push buttons
- Price: £2495 (RRP as at 23.9.2014)
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