TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Gold

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Gold Watch Review

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Gold builds on the success of the steel version launched in 2023, released as part of the Carrera’s 60th anniversary celebrations. This latest reference, unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2024, is yet another example of the Swiss marque imbuing its models with an even higher degree of sophistication, both in terms of mechanical know-how as well as the widespread use of precious metal.

TAG Heuer depuis 1860

Founded in 1860, Heuer will forever be associated with the ‘chronograph’. In 1887, the Maison  ‘introduced a patent to improve the oscillating pinion’; a device that allows the owner to start and stop the timing function with the push of a button. While this was an impressive achievement, Heuer never rested on its laurels, continuously pushing the performance envelope in the pursuit of advancement.

Indeed, over the years, in its quest to measure elapsed periods with ever-greater accuracy, it conceived new ground-breaking chronographs and stopwatches.

Chronographs and stopwatches

At this juncture, it is worth pointing out that chronographs and stopwatches are two separate entities. Both are powered by a mainspring(s) and measure elapsed periods of time. However, a chronograph will also show the prevailing time and may also be endowed with additional complications. A stopwatch purely measures elapsed periods.

When a stopwatch is actuated, the regulating organ bursts into life and then comes to a halt when the pushpiece is pressed again (the pushpiece is often incorporated within the crown). However, the regulating organ found on a watch equipped with a chronograph function will continuously run irrespective of whether it is measuring an elapsed period or not.

Measuring elapsed periods of time

Historically, chronographs and stopwatches have been used for a variety of tasks, including medical (measuring a patient’s pulse – pulsometer), navigation, timing sports events, industrial time measurement and military applications (determining distance for artillery use – telemeter). Famously, Heuer produced the Mikrograph in 1916, the first stopwatch capable of 1/100 second precision, a feat that remained unmatched until the advent of electronic timing in the 60s.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Steel

Whether timing Formula One cars circumnavigating a race track or a fiercely competitive regatta, Heuer (now TAG Heuer) has always been a constant presence in the world of sport. In 2023, the Swiss avant-garde brand marked the 60th anniversary of its legendary Carrera chronograph. As part of its birthday celebrations, the Maison from La Chaux-de-Fonds released the TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper (a model we reviewed at the time).

Housed in a 39 mm stainless steel case, the model features a ‘sea-blue main dial’, with contrasting subdials, and is endowed with Calibre Heuer 02 (Ref TH20-06). This latter self-winding movement is fully integrated and teams a column-wheel and vertical coupling, widely considered by purists as a winning combination. Pressing the pusher at 2 o’clock sees the central chronograph commence its journey without any hesitation or wobbling, a feat that often eludes lesser movements. Moreover, the tactile experience of pressing the pusher is a pure joy, conferring a silky action devoid of harshness.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Gold

A few weeks ago, at Watches & Wonders 2024, TAG Heuer released a new variant of the Skipper, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Gold. Identical in every way to its steel sibling, save for its widespread use of noble metal, this latest reference proves deliciously decadent with its 18K 5N solid gold case, pushers and crown. The hands and indexes, with the exception of the orange lacquered central hand, are presented in sumptuous golden tones. Likewise, the date aperture at 6 o’clock is framed with a sliver of golden brightwork.

TAG Heuer gold watches

This is not the first time that TAG Heuer has crafted watches in gold. On several occasions throughout its history, the Swiss Manufacture has elevated the simple ‘tool watch’ to an ultra-refined wristworn companion.

Take the iconic Ref. 1158 CHN 1 of 1971, a 38 mm take on the steel Ref. 1153 S1 but executed in yellow gold. It is often said this gold watch, much loved by racing drivers of the time, was Jack Heuer’s favourite. Last year, the Swiss marque released a modern take on the Ref. 1158 CHN 1, a suave chronograph housed in a contemporary 39 mm 18K 3N solid gold case that’s suitably attired for any post-race soirée.

With the advent of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Gold, the historic watch brand has, once again, performed horological gentrification, sending a utilitarian timing tool to Swiss finishing school. The result is a cultured watch blessed with a sharp mind, exemplary deportment and expressing meaning in a cut-glass accent. The continued ascent of the Carrera shows no signs of diminishing; the postcodes may be the same, but everything seems a tad more sophisticated.