INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45”

Nick Kenyon

TAG Heuer continue to celebrate their 160th anniversary this year with the release of their latest heritage-inspired limited edition. This is a formula that has offered both surprise and delight to collectors around the world in 2020. With the release of several new references (which we have covered here, here and here) that not only show the depth of the archives at TAG Heuer but the willingness to revisit important designs and bring them into the 21st century.

Both models are limited to 1860 pieces and have a price of $5,950US and $8,600AUD – you can pre-order the watches here and here.

In this latest two-reference release, we have the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45”, which takes its inspiration from the original Heuer 3147N “Dato 45”, a nickname it earned from the position of its date window at 12 o’clock. The latest expression of this design has been beefed up for modern tastes, as well as a sleeker, more sporty look and the use of contemporary watchmaking materials. 

The 2020 TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45” features a 44mm steel case with the iconic sloping Carrera lugs that swiftly taper into the steel bracelet. This is an increase in diameter against the 36mm original two-register chronograph from the 1960s, but the jump in size is in line with the rest of the modern Carrera collection. Also consistent with a number of recent Carrera releases is the bold tachymeter bezel, nicely framing the dial in either blue or black ceramic.

Arriving at the dials, we have one reference in blue with white sub-dials, while the other is white with black sub-dials. Both references feature red highlights in the 3 o’clock sub-dial, a red chronograph hand, and red text in the date window, just like the original Heuer 3147N “Dato 45”.

In line with the rest of the recent offerings within the Carrera collection, the dial text is kept to a minimum, featuring CARRERA at 12 o’clock, between the date window and the TAG Heuer logo, and a nod to the movement at the bottom of the dial with HEUER 02 80 HOURS. 

With the dial giving the game away, there’s no surprise that both new TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45” references are powered by the automatic in-house Calibre Heuer 02. This workhorse movement from the La Chaux-de-Fonds based manufacturer is quickly becoming the backbone of the modern TAG Heuer family, featuring the dial-advertised 80 hours of power reserve and column-wheel chronograph mechanism.

While it’s been a very busy year at TAG Heuer as they celebrate an important milestone in their history, they have managed to offer an interesting diversity of chronographs in 2020, with the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45” references included. It might be a little large for the die-hard vintage enthusiast, but for more passionate fans of the brand, these new releases offer some of the best of the past and present of TAG Heuer.

TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45” price and availability:

The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45” is limited to 1860 pieces and has an RRP of $5,950US and $8,600AUD for both references. For preorder details, visit TAG Heuer right here.