TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic
Unusually, Angus Davies revisits a watch he has reviewed before, the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic – Ref. WAR201E.BA0723. However, in this instance, this timepiece is supplied with a different coloured dial and presented on a bracelet. He is surprised how these seemingly minor differences dramatically change the character of the timepiece. This detailed review of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic includes live images, specification details and pricing.
As the long summer days migrate to warmer climes, I feel a sense of foreboding. The prospect of prolonged periods of darkness engender disquietude. The problem is, I tend to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression which often rears its ugly head in winter months.
I have listened to suggestions about taking vitamin D supplements or investing in a light box, but have found that escaping to a stint of warm winter sun proves most effective in lifting my spirits. I crave objects which remind me of sunny climes and the prospect of swimming in calm seas.
Recently, I held a TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic Ref. WAR201E.BA072 in my hands and admired its blue sunray dial. The azure hue of the dial canvas was reminiscent of cloud free skies on a warm, summer’s day and the fine lines emanating from the centre of the dial awakened thoughts of a friendly sun looking down on me with a broad smile on its face.
Carrera Calibre 5 – up close and personal
Last year, I reviewed the Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic Watch 41mm Ref. WAR201D.FC6291 with gold dial detail. This model featured a silver opaline dial, at times appearing almost white, paired with a brown alligator leather strap. The apertures framing the day and date displays, the hands, the logo and applied indices were gold plated and faceted. The result was a timepiece which evinced a classical character, conferring a sense of warmth, courtesy of its golden brightwork.
The Ref. WAR201E.BA072 is essentially the same watch, save for a wondrously blue dial, differently coloured brightwork and the fitment of a steel bracelet. However, whilst this timepiece may share the same case and movement, it conveys a very different personality.
Firstly, the blue dial version of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic appears more contemporary, perhaps owing to the brand’s decision, in this instance, to supplant gold items in favour of polished, fine brushed steel. The bracelet also exhibits a high quotient of modernity and provides an agreeable wrist feel. But, most pertinently, it is the blue shade of the dial which radically alters the character of this watch.
Seldom do I focus so strongly on one aspect of a timepiece’s composition, but rarely does the colour of a dial capture my attention so unreservedly.
Heuer Carrera – dial
Jack Heuer revealed in his autobiography, ‘The Times of My Life’, that prior to the release of the first Carrera model, circa 1963, he ‘wanted a dial that had a clear, clean design’. His desire was sated with this first model and the stated traits he craved have always remained a welcome characteristic of the timepieces bearing the Carrera nomen.
Setting aside discussions about the symbolism of the watch’s blue colour scheme for a moment, I feel duty bound to elaborate on the dial’s performance in use. Not surprisingly, in common with aforementioned silver opaline model, legibility is excellent. In fact, in my opinion, I feel it is better than the plainer silver-opaline option.
The reason I feel the readability of the blue dial option is superior to its silver-opaline sibling, centres on the issue of contrast. The steel hands and indices seem to stand out more than the gold items gracing the silver-opaline canvas.
Another attribute of this dial is the presentation of the day and date via two distinct apertures, leading the brain to digest information in two succinct and digestible portions, again augmented by the striking contrast of black text on white day and date discs, adjacent a sea of blue.
The flange, marked with fine lines and Arabic numerals, aids the interpretation of minutes and the central sweep seconds hand. Moreover, at some angles the flange appears lighter or darker than the adjacent dial surface. Indeed, this is a dial which exhibits a variety of tonal shades depending on its relative position and the prevailing ambient light. On occasion, it seems pale and then, in the briefest of moments, it morphs into the darkest of royal blues. This is a captivating aspect which never ceases to delight.
A welcome familiarity
Last year, I appreciated the feel of the Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic Watch 41mm Ref. WAR201D.FC6291 upon my wrist.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic, with its blue dial, delivers the same congenial union with the arm, despite being equipped with a bracelet instead of a leather strap.
I continue to appreciate the clean, uncluttered make-up of this watch and the convenience of a self-winding movement also proves useful.
However, it is surprising how much the regal cast of this dial influences the temperament of the timepiece. Whilst blue is synonymous with cold, I look at this dial and perceive warm skies and profound blue oceans, dappled with brilliant white surf.
Does this watch provide respite for SAD sufferers? Probably not, but it certainly made me smile with joy.
Technical Specification
- Model: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date Automatic Watch 41mm
- Reference: WAR201E.BA0723
- 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: Stainless steel bracelet
- Price: £2000 (RRP as at 8.9.2015)