3 TAG Heuer Calibre 16s that can do it all
James RobinsonTAG Heuer has been using its venerable chronograph-equipped Calibre 16 movement for more than two decades now.
In fact, the storied movement has been utilised by the Swiss watchmaker in a great many of its models since 2005, when it was first released in the then new and completely overhauled Carrera.
It’s pretty easy to understand why TAG has used the Calibre 16 so religiously across its model line-ups for so long – this is a workhorse of a movement that benefits from a great many features, including self-winding, chronograph complication, date complication, 12-hour counter, 30-minute counter, running seconds, 42 hours of power reserve and an operating frequency of 28,800 (4Hz) vibrations per hour.
It also has a bit of a reputation as being bulletproof, thanks to its strong and well-documented lineage to the Valjoux 7750 – one of the greatest chronograph movements of the 20th century.
So, with all this in mind, we thought we’d take a look at three of our favourite TAG Heuer watches that are rocking a Calibre 16.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Ref. CV201AR.BA0715
We’ve actually been fortunate enough to spend a fair bit of time with this particular TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16, and, if you’re after a steel sports watch with strong motorsport credentials, this Carrera is a great option. The ceramic blue, tachymeter bezel offers both functionality and theatricality, and nicely complements the matt mid-blue tones of the dial. Both the hour indices and handset have been applied with a faux-aged creamy yellow lume, and there are also splashes of red that can be found around the dial, adding to the race-derived ethos. $6150
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 16 Ref. CAY218B.FC6370
Take one look at this watch and you understand why TAG has dubbed it the “Black Phantom”. It looks positively menacing with “black on black on black” aesthetic. The beefy and bold 43mm case design only adds to the presence of this timepiece, and we reckon it would make a killer weekend watch, not least because of its rugged practicality and 300 metres of water resistance. $5650
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Ref. CAZ2017.BA0647
Anything that bears the name “Senna” is A-OK in my book. For those who aren’t in the know, Ayrton Senna was, without doubt, one of the most prolific human beings in history to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. The three-time F1 World Champion was an icon and a national treasure. It seems very fitting, then, that his name adorns the bezel of this excellent TAG Heuer Formula 1. It’s also a handsome timepiece in its own right, thanks to a curvaceous tonneau-shaped case, granular anthracite grey dial and contrasting red, black and white accents. $4400