TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Precious Glassbox Watch Review
At LVMH Watch Week, the Swiss avant-garde brand has unveiled several new models, including the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Precious Glassbox offered in a choice of blue or pink. Both versions feature a bi-compax chronograph and incorporate numerous diamonds, all located beneath a retro-inspired glassbox crystal. US-based Meehna Goldsmith shares her thoughts on this glamorous take on Jack Heuer’s iconic chronograph of 1963.
Heuer Carrera born in 1963
Born for the track, the TAG Heuer Carrera was a groundbreaking chronograph when it made its grand debut in 1963. Not only practical in function, the Carrera was also a beauty to behold. Though a tool watch, it took aesthetic cues from Le Corbusier and Charles Eames, transcending mere functionality. Jack Heuer, the man who dreamed up the Carrera, was known to have a sharp artistic sense.
An interesting sidebar: before the Carrera was a watch, it was a name. Usually, a watch is designed first; however, while attending the 12 Hours at Sebring in Florida, Jack heard of the ‘Carrera Panamericana’, a hair-raising race in Mexico covering over 3,000 kilometers of harsh terrain. He took a shine to the sound of the Carrera name, liking the way it tripped from the tongue in a pleasant lilt, inspiring him to build a watch bearing that moniker.
The Carrera was remarkable for the reconfiguration of the dial, carefully conceived to increase legibility. Back in the 1960s, crystals stayed in place with the use of a tension ring. Typically, the seconds track was located on the dial, giving it a crowded appearance. Jack Heuer had the ingenious idea of relocating the 1/5-second markers to the tension ring to open up the dial. This enabled the indicators on the tri-compax design to come into crisp focus. Additionally, the watch featured an early iteration of a glassbox crystal, which was another defining characteristic of the Carrera. Rendered in plexiglass, it floated above the bezel, further increasing legibility.
TAG Heuer Carrera – numerous iterations
Over 60 years later, the Carrera remains an icon of precision engineering and readability. In TAG Heuer’s history, the Carrera has been a platform for many iterations, including the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana, TAG Heuer Carrera Date Steel & Gold 36 mm, and TAG Heuer Carrera Tourbillon H02T Dubai Skyline.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox (2023)
In 2023, the brand celebrated the Carrera’s 60th anniversary by reintroducing the glassbox crystal, a homage to Jack Heuer and his legendary creation. Continuing the legacy, the Carrera for 2025 gets to play dress up with two new additions. Named the TAG Heuer Chronograph Precious Glassbox, both versions incorporate a diamond-set flange, chaton diamond indexes and a bi-compax layout. The brushed and polished steel chronograph pushers are in the traditional positions at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock with the crown nestled in between.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Precious Glassbox – blue or pink
The dials are offered in a choice of Carrera signature blue or a shade of ultra-feminine pink. Seen through the curvature of the glassbox crystal, the circular-brushed dials light up with sparkle and flair, all while allowing razor-sharp clarity. Rhodium-plated, faceted and polished hands keep track of the time and glow with white Super-LumiNova, while a date window resides at 6 o’clock. The seconds hand is also rhodium plated.
While often diamonds can seem a clunky aftermarket addition, the diamonds here integrate well into the design in a discreet and subtle fashion. Adorned with 72 diamonds, the flange has a total of 0.45 carats. Meanwhile, the curving inner flange features 11 chaton diamond indexes totalling 0.107 carats. The straps have also been carefully thought out. The signature blue model is offered with a dark blue alligator leather strap. Likewise, the pink version comes with a calfskin strap mirroring the dial’s colour and texture. Both offer the convenience of the CAPSA interchangeable mechanism, which allows for a change of appearance with two additional strap offerings in white and grey alligator. Another nice touch is the pearlescent effect on the straps that complement the diamond lightshow on the dial.
TAG Heuer Calibre TH20-00
Both versions of the TAG Heuer Carrera Precious Glassbox come in a nicely balanced 39 mm case, making them suitable for almost any wrist. Inside ticks the Calibre TH20-00, TAG Heuer’s in-house chronograph movement that pairs a vertical clutch with a column wheel and proffers the convenience of ‘bidirectional automatic rewinding’. This engine also stores a lot of gas in the tank with a prodigious 80-hour power reserve. In order to admire the movement and the new shield-shaped rotor, the new Carrera Precious Glassbox models come with an exhibition caseback.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Precious Glassbox – closing remarks
A fitting evolution of the Carrera line, these two models blend the history of the legendary chronograph with state-of-the art mechanics in a sleek and fetching countenance. Moreover, they maintain their sporty underpinning while adding sophistication and a touch of glamour.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Precious Glassbox
- Reference: CBS2214.FC6567 – blue circular-brushed dial with pearlescent blue alligator strap
- Reference: CBS2215.FC6568 – powdery pink dial with powdery pink pearlescent calfskin leather strap
- Case: fine brushed and polished steel, diameter 39 mm, water resistance 10 ATM (100 metres), Glassbox sapphire crystal to front, exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
- Movement: Calibre TH20-00 automatic, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 33 jewels, power reserve 80 hours
- Buckle: fine brushed, polished steel folding clasp with double safety push buttons
- Price: CBS2214.FC6567 – £7,500 (as of 21.1.2025)
- Price: CBS2215.FC6568 – £7,600 (as of 21.1.2025)