Five of the best watches from TAG Heuer in 2023
Borna BošnjakDie-hard fans of any hobby are often the hardest to please, but even the most hardcore WIS seem to have softened to the prospect of TAG Heuer. Since Frédéric Arnault took up the reins in 2020, the brand has displayed a refreshingly clear sense of direction and one that was much needed. 2023 was an important year, as the Carrera – a model that lays rightful claim to the term iconic – celebrated its 60th anniversary. To pay tribute, TAG Heuer introduced the brand-new Glassbox, and it’s been a much-needed breath of fresh air – there’s a reason why two of the five picks from today’s list sport the 39mm Glassbox case. Further refinements followed with a slimmer time-only Carrera, some fun twists on the equally iconic Monaco, and a more everyday-friendly Solargraph. Here’s a short recap of our favourites.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox Gold
(In)directly referencing the cult classic ref. 1158 CHN, the gold panda Glassbox is a truly stunning watch and a fitting tribute to the watches gifted to racing drivers by none other than Jack Heuer himself. This isn’t a subtle watch, and yet, it manages to retain a stealth opulence you wouldn’t expect from 39mm of solid yellow gold surrounding an equally-as-gold dial. The domed crystal curves over the steep rehaut which has been given a metal flake finish akin to that of car paint, really driving home the motoring inspiration.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Carrera Chronograph |
| Reference Number | CBS2240.FC8319 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 13.9mm (T) x 46mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | 18k 3N yellow gold |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Dial | Yellow gold-plated vertical brushed dial, black snailed subdials |
| Crystal(s) | Box-domed sapphire front and sapphire caseback |
| Strap | Perforated black calfskin with yellow gold pin buckle |
| Movement | TH20-00, in-house, automatic, column-wheel chronograph |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running small seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | A$31,150 |
TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper
From a classy tribute to a modern re-issue, TAG Heuer also chose the Glassbox case to revive the Skipper. The original was the product of a long-term partnership with then-outdoorsy outfitters Abercrombie & Fitch and friendship with president Walter Haynes. To celebrate the victory of the Intrepid in the America’s Cup of 1967 (the crew of which were equipped with Heuer-Aquastar-branded yacht timers), Heuer produced a limited run of Skippers with the now-recognisable segmented minute totaliser. The modern variant pays close homage to the original which also sported a Carrera case, though is sized up to the Glassbox’s 39mm and now features a three-register layout, even though TAG Heuer does their best to hide that running seconds at 6 o’clock.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Carrera Skipper |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 13.9mm (T) x 46mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Blue ‘Skipper’ dial |
| Crystal(s) | Box-domed sapphire front and sapphire caseback |
| Strap | Blue fabric strap with two-button folding clasp |
| Movement | TH20-00, in-house, automatic, column-wheel chronograph |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running small seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | A$9,800 |
Carrera Date in pink
And we’re not done with the Carrera yet. With all the fanfare surrounding the Glassbox, a possibly underrated release this year has to be the Carrera Date, and not thanks to its bright pink colouring. Not only did these impress me with their overall build quality for the price (that snailed sunburst dial and applied indices are really nice), but the way the case wears on smaller wrists like mine (6.25in/15cm) is fantastic. The Calibre 7 movement inside is based on the ETA 2892/Sellita SW300, a more premium offering when compared to the 2824/SW200, meaning nicer decoration, and more importantly – slenderness. The Carrera Date measures in at 10mm in thickness, which is a sweet spot for a GADA watch like this.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Carrera Date 36mm |
| Reference Numbers | WBN2313.BA0001 |
| Case Dimensions | 36mm (D) x 10mm (T) x 41.6mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Dial | Snailed sunburst pink |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Strap | Stainless steel H-link bracelet with folding clasp |
| Movement | Calibre 7, ETA 2892 base |
| Power Reserve | 56 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | A$4,600 |
TAG Heuer Monaco Night Driver
Most brands would be happy with just one iconic watch in their line-up – and then there’s TAG Heuer. While 2023 has certainly been the Carrera party, the brand didn’t forget to pay attention to its other legendary chronograph. I’m talking about the Monaco, of course, and more specifically, the lume-tastic Night Driver. With a monochromatic colour scheme, the visual interest comes courtesy of those light grey tones of the sub-registers and round dial perimeter, lighting up in icy turquoise after dark. The rest of the specs are the same as you’ve become accustomed to – a brawny 39mm titanium case housing the Heuer 02 column wheel calibre.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Monaco Chronograph Night Driver |
| Reference Number | CBL2181.FC6515 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 14.7mm (T) x 47.4mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | DLC grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Domed and bevelled sapphire front, sapphire caseback |
| Dial | Anthracite with lumed outer |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Black calfskin with DLC grade 5 titanium clasp |
| Movement | Heuer 02, in-house, automatic, column-wheel chronograph |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Limited to 600 pieces |
| Price | A$13,800 |
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph in stainless steel
While it certainly didn’t make as many headlines as the Glassbox, the new steel Solargraph models may just be the most compelling new offering from TAG Heuer. The carbon and titanium-cased Solargraphs were excellent heralds of a new dawn for the Aquaracer, but it’s these steel-cased models with subtle blue and black dials that I see making it to the wrists of the masses. The price point is an approachable one for a brand that is aspirational to many, and the convenience of solar charging shouldn’t be understated – if you’re going to make it quartz, may as well make it solar.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) X 11.5mm (T) X 47mm (Ltl) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Dial | Sunray black or blue |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet, double pusher folding clasp |
| Movement | TAG Heuer x La Joux-Perret TH50-00, solar |
| Power Reserve | Six months or 3.5 years in power-saving mode |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | A$3,400 |