HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Carrera Twin-Time 41 is a clean, robust and sporty-elegant GMT
Zach BlassOne of the most sought after complications by buyers is the GMT, a watch that can track two or more time zones on the wrist. With complication though can come cost, especially when we enter the realm of big-name luxury brands. But there are exceptions to the rule, and TAG Heuer has just proven this with one of their latest releases. The new TAG Heuer Carrera Twin-Time 41 is an entry-level luxury GMT watch that echoes the winning design elements that has made the Carrera a design icon in this industry – serving up a clean, robust, and sporty-elegant GMT for those looking for a versatile entry in their collections.
The case
Its 41mm stainless-steel case is comprised of sharp lines and faceted lugs, executed primarily with a mirror finish that gives a sense of robust elegance in a manner akin to the Rolex Datejust. The case front, sloped conical bezel, and lug hoods are all mirror polished. A satin brush, however, is introduced in the caseband perimeter to create light play through mixed finishes. The TAG Heuer Carrera Twin Time 41 watch has an equal depth rating to the Three Hands Carrera it was introduced alongside, with 100 metres of water-resistance to ensure this GMT is a versatile travel companion – whether taking a dip in the ocean or heading for dinner on a night out.
The dial
The blue dial found on the TAG Heuer Carrera Twin Time 41 is clean and crisp, further raising the versatility factor in form as well as function. It is a very legible dial, keeping in line with the essence of the Carrera line with a well organized layout that maximizes readability. Working from the outboard in, you have a bi-coloured white and blue 24 hour GMT scale taking the flange real estate of the stepped inner bezel to help keep the dial as clean as possible. On the main dial plate you’ll find a printed hashed minutes track, bold applied hour indices, applied TAG Heuer logo, and four central hands – the hours, minutes, central seconds, and red arrow tipped GMT hand, The date aperture at 6’, like the Carrera Three Hands Date 39 maintains the symmetry of the dial. In the continuing theme of legibility, it is important to note that all hands (aside from the central seconds hand) and tips of the hour indices are coated with SuperLuminova® to ensure visibility in darkness as well.
The bracelet
The watch is offered on TAG’s H-Link stainless-steel bracelet with a twin-push folding clasp. The mixed finishes are strategically placed in a manner that allows the letter H motif to really stand out. Its satin-brushed link pieces result in an H Shape, distinguished by the alternating polished central links to frame the H shape of the brushed surfaces.
The movement
Inside the watch is the manufacture caliber 7, based on the ETA 2892-A2, with rapid-date change functionality and 50 hours of power reserve. Its GMT hand can be adjusted in hour increments forward in the crown’s second position, while rotation clockwise advances the GMT hand forward and anti-clockwise rotation advances the date forward. The watch, while not pledged with COSC certification, can be expected to run with a high degree of accuracy as the tried and true ETA base has only further been refined to TAG Heuer’s expectations and standards of performance.
Final thoughts
At just above the $3,000 USD mark, the watch is competitively set against big name brands’ entry-level luxury GMT watches like the Bulgari Aluminum GMT revealed at Geneva Watch Days. As an evolution of a well-established design icon in this industry, while it deviates a bit from its heritage in regard to its complication it does, however, maintain the essence of why the original Carrera was born. The Carrera was meant to be the ultimate racer’s watch. Robust and readable enough to stand up during the intense heat of a race, but also have the elegant sensibility that, when it came time to celebrate afterwards, it also fitted right in with a suit as well. The Carrera Twin-Time 41 lives up to this versatility, offering a highly wardrobe compatible blue dial, mixed finished case, robust 100 metre water-resistance, and shock-resistant workhorse based Calibre 7 GMT caliber to provide steady performance. For those who want to dip their toes into an approachable-luxury traveller’s GMT watch, this is a very solid avenue to walk down.
TAG Heuer Carrera Twin-Time 41 pricing and availability:
The TAG Heuer Carrera Twin-Time 41 is available now for $3,200.00 USD. Click here for more info
Made in partnership with TAG Heuer. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.