TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date Watch Review
At Watches & Wonders 2025, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date was unveiled, incorporating a highly impressive Manufacture movement, the Calibre TH31-02. Having written extensively about the former version, launched back in 2021, Angus Davies, the dog-loving watch obsessive, looks closely at this latest evolution of the Day-Date.
Image – the new Carrera Day-Date and Carrera Date Twin-Time
Owning a TAG Heuer S/EL
I’ve been happily married for over 30 years; however, 4½ years ago, I found another love: Oscar, my gorgeous cocker spaniel. Dog ownership is a highly social pursuit. I’ve met many dog lovers while exercising Oscar. Indeed, it was on one such occasion that I met Steve, a chap who has since become a good friend.
A function of my occupation is that whenever I meet someone, I always look at the watch they are wearing. Soon after meeting Steve, I ‘clocked’ he was wearing a TAG Heuer S/EL chronograph. Being horologically nosey, I had to enquire how he liked his chosen watch. His broad smile said it all; he was very happy with his trusty timepiece.
Interestingly, the TAG Heuer S/EL was a precursor to the Link collection, a range of models known for their elaborately shaped and beautifully engineered bracelets.
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2112.BA0043)
Purchasing a mechanical watch
It soon became a social ritual that whenever I bumped into my new pal, Oscar would plonk himself down on the pavement and patiently listen to us chat about watches. During one of our many conversations, Steve, a retired engineer, expressed a desire to own a mechanical watch. I suspect he was drawn to the idea of micro components, powered merely by a tensioned spring, working together to impart time.
One day, Steve mentioned that he had seen a skeleton watch on the internet that he quite liked. I enquired about the openworked model and questioned what attracted him to it before asking if he would consider another TAG. His hand rested on his S/EL and he promptly nodded. Armed with some insider knowledge, I remarked, “Just wait a few weeks, there is a watch that’s coming out which is very impressive but I can’t say any more at the moment”. He nodded, albeit every time we met thereafter, he would ask, “Any more news on that watch?”
Once launched, I told Steve about the new model and he promptly purchased the TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 41 mm, opting for a version endowed with a blue sunray-snailed dial (Reference WBN2012.BA0640). Since acquiring the watch, I’ve seldom seen Steve without his Day-Date affixed to his wrist.
Above image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2021 (Reference WBN2012.BA0640)
TAG Heuer Carrera Three Hands (2021)
In 2021, a few weeks before the launch of the new Carrera Three Hands, I was commissioned to write two articles for TAG Heuer’s brilliant online publication, THE EDGE MAGAZINE. The first article discussed the history of the Carrera, while the second feature looked closely at the styling of each updated reference. In order to fully grasp the various upgrades, I was granted the opportunity to chat with Guy Bove, the brand’s Creative Product Design Director at the time.
Chatting to Guy led me to discover some of the subtleties imparted to the updated dial and case of each reference. While I already knew of Bove’s talent as a designer, his near-obsessive attention to the smallest of details was amazing. Indeed, I remember thinking at the time, the Carrera Three Hands models of 2021 represented a step forward, albeit the aesthetic allure of the 2015 references remained undiminished.
A few weeks ago, I discovered TAG Heuer had released a new Carrera Day-Date. Eager to get hands-on with the latest iteration, I checked out an example with a glorious blue dial.
TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 – introduction
In 2021, the Carrera Day-Date 41 mm was launched alongside the Carrera Twin-Time Date 41 mm, Carrera Date 39 mm and the Carrera Date 29 mm. As previously mentioned, they were collectively marketed as ‘the new generation TAG Heuer Three Hands’.
At this year’s Watches & Wonders, the Swiss marque released a Carrera Day-Date 41 mm and Carrera Date Twin-Time 41 mm (I intend to review this latter watch separately in the future).
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Date Twin-Time 2025 (Reference WDA2114.BA0043)
Formerly, the TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 41 mm was offered in four variants. Now, with the advent of the upgraded model, this number has increased to five references. While many colourways have been carried over, the Swiss marque has unveiled new dial finishes, released a ‘smoky red opaline’ dial option and introduced a new bi-metallic bracelet. The new black dial options are particularly interesting as they now eschew the sunray-brushed decoration of before in favour of a new sumptuous opalin finish.
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2111.BA0043)
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2111.BD0001)
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2110.FC6614)
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2113.BA0043)
Quite simply, Heuerphiles have never had so much choice. Hereafter, I’ve decided to focus on the blue dial variant (WDA2112.BA0043), the replacement for ‘Steve’s TAG’.
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2112.BA0043)
TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date dial – (Reference WDA2112.BA0043)
Consistent with the 2021 release, the faceted hour and minute hands resemble those fitted to the inaugural Monaco of 1969, albeit they are rhodium-plated and lined with white Super-LumiNova, granting a more understated appearance.
Above image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2021 (Reference WBN2012.BA0640)
Above image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2112.BA0043)
The style of the indexes with their intricately stepped profile remains the same; however, the track is decidedly different. On the former model, the track was located on the flange and marked with both 1-second and ¼-second scales as well as Arabic numbers, arranged at 10-second intervals. The new TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date presents 1-second and ½-second markings on two dedicated tracks and is now devoid of Arabic numerals. Moreover, the 1-second track is positioned within a trough and the indexes slightly nibble this track, a detail that works well. Adjacent the indexes, a luminescent dot aids readability, supplanting the rectangular lume found on previous models.
Above image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2021 (Reference WBN2012.BA0640)
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2112.BA0043)
On this latest version, TAG Heuer has opted for bolder dial text and executed the lettering in white rather than silver. The eponymous day-date display employs two discs marked with white numerals set against a blue backdrop, matching the dominant dial hue. This may sound like a small detail, but this feature is usually the preserve of costlier watches and I suspect it will elicit nods of approval from purists. A triangular index at 3 o’clock seems to guide the wearer’s gaze towards the day-date indications. Another enhancement is the design of the brightwork framing the day-date apertures, which are now flush with the dial epidermis rather than sitting proud, conferring a neater aesthetic.
TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date case
Having looked at the design of the case, I cannot discern any significant changes. Indeed, the brand appears to have adopted a ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach. The wonderfully refined H-shaped bracelet has been retained, albeit it now features the brand’s ‘quick-change link system’. TAG Heuer states the system allows ‘wearers to adjust the size effortlessly without the need for tools’, mitigating the risk of scratching the watch with a wayward screwdriver or necessitating a trip to a local watch retailer.
The brand has engraved the caseback with a small ‘crown of laurels’ emblem, paying tribute to its ties to Formula 1.
TAG Heuer Calibre TH31-02
One of the biggest upgrades to be found on the TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date relates to its new Manufacture movement, the Calibre TH31-02. Regular readers of ESCAPEMENT will already be aware that in recent years the Swiss Maison has produced several highly impressive movements that proffer advancement both aesthetically and technically; the new Calibre TH31-02 proves no exception.
Above image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2021 fitted with Calibre 5
The former Carrera Day-Date was equipped with the Calibre 5, an automatic movement based on the Sellita SW200-1, promising a power reserve of 38 hours. Decoration included Côtes de Genève on the rotor, perlage and colimaçon.
Image – TAG Heuer Calibre TH31-02 as fitted to the Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2112.BA0043)
Co-developed with AMT (a subsidiary of Sellita that specialises in making high-end movements), the Calibre TH31-02 has a power reserve of 80 hours and comes with a five-year warranty. The shield-themed oscillating mass is openworked and grained, while the bridges are beautifully adorned with Côtes de Genève. The watch brand refers to ‘an extra layer of craftsmanship for collectors and enthusiasts’, something that is discernible when looking through the pane of sapphire crystal to the rear of the case.
Image – TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025 (Reference WDA2112.BA0043)
TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date – closing remarks
Once the new TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 41 mm is affixed to the wrist, there is no question that its design and execution are superior to that of its 2021 antecedent. The play with depths, especially the introduction of the recessed circlet for the 1-second track (aka minute track), feels richer and more sumptuous, the circular dots of lume seem a little neater and the new upgraded day-date indication appears more luxurious. Moreover, the ‘quick-change link system’ is a welcome enhancement. Finally, the new Calibre TH31-02 is a ‘peach’, courtesy of its attractive finishing and prodigious power reserve.
Setting aside the introduction of the new movement, many of the changes found on this new model are comparatively small, but it is the combination of several small changes that collectively raise the bar, delivering added refinement and conferring advancement.
Based on my observations, I must remember to inform Steve about the new Carrera Day-Date 41 mm the next time I’m walking Oscar.
Further reading
https://www.tagheuer.com/gb/en/
Technical specification
- Model: TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date 2025
- Reference: WDA2110.FC6614 (black grained dial and black calfskin strap with blue lining)
- Reference: WDA2111.BA0043 (black opalin dial and presented on steel bracelet)
- Reference: WDA2111.BD0001 (black opalin dial and presented on steel and 18K 5N gold bracelet)
- Reference: WDA2112.BA0043 (blue sunray brushed dial and presented on steel bracelet)
- Reference: WDA2113.BA0043 (smokey red opalin dial and presented on steel bracelet)
- Case: diameter 41 mm, thickness 12.57 mm, water resistance 10ATM (100 metres), sapphire crystal to front, exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, centre seconds, day, date
- Movement: Calibre TH31-02 automatic, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 30 jewels, power reserve 80 hours
- Price: WDA2110.FC6614: £3,500 (RRP as of 10.5.2025)
- Price: WDA2111.BA0043: £3,850 (RRP as of 10.5.2025)
- Price: WDA2111.BD0001: £7,350 (RRP as of 10.5.2025)
- Price: WDA2112.BA0043 / WDA2113.BA0043: £3,650 (RRP as of 10.5.2025)