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TAG Heuer Carrera Date is a quarter in colour

TAG Heuer Carrera Date is a quarter in colour

Borna Bošnjak
  • Four new colours for a traditionally sized TAG Heuer Carrera time-only model
  • A revised case profile with improved thickness and wearability
  • Upgraded from Calibre 5 to Calibre 7

History is a hugely important aspect of any new Carrera release, owing to the rich heritage of the model and the moments and personalities associated with it. Though no longer only a chronograph, the modern Carrera line-up still carries some signature elements, from the case design to the ingot-like dial indices and simple handset. The new Carrera Date 36mm retains the case size of the original, though simplifies the dial to go hand-in-hand (pun fully intended) with their time-only Three Hands collection.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mm pink dial

The Carrera Date 36mm launches in four colour variants – a neon pink, pastel green, rich blue and subtle silver. The latter three all sport contrasting gold appliques which add a touch of warmth to the cold sunburst dial colours. The bold pink, adds an extra touch of pizzazz with a snailed finish to its sunburst pattern, opting for silver indices instead.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mm dial closeup

The double-wide batons always remind me of precious metal ingots, presented here in a fully polished finish. The handset is a simple pencil style, with a grained middle portion that opens up to give way to the lume. The applied TAG Heuer logo is also a nice touch – the lettering and shield outline surround an inner portion which is colour-matched to the dial and the bead-blasted finish of the angled chapter ring.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mm green dial

The aforementioned case size of 36mm is a nod right back to the original, and seems to be the perfect modern sweet spot for a great unisex watch. Oftentimes brands stray too far towards the feminine when trying to create a unisex watch, and I’m happy to say that doesn’t seem the case here, with plenty of feminine and masculine appeal in a size that’s suitable to most.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mm silver dial

While the size is the same, the stainless-steel construction has been downsized slightly both in terms of lug-to-lug measurements and thickness. Measuring in at 41.6mm lug-to-lug and 10mm in height, its approximately a 2mm reduction in both. These are welcome additions for a watch like this, as the long Carrera lugs tend to wear larger than the 36mm suggests.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mm bracelet

Much like the rest of the watch, the H-link bracelet is kept simple but well-executed. The alternating finish of brushed and polished mid-links is pleasant, finishing in a brushed folding clasp engraved with the TAG Heuer shield.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mm movement

The final upgrade to the Carrera Date 36mm is the movement, going from the Calibre 5 to the Calibre 7, which equates to an upgrade from an ETA 2824 to the 2892, the base movements that TAG Heuer uses. The Calibre 7 boasts an extra 18 hours of power reserve, now at 56, as well as a slimmer construction, which is surely a contributing factor to the slimming down of the case.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date pricing and availability:

TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mmblue dial

The TAG Heuer Carrera Date 36mm in blue, green and silver is available from April 2023, with the pink model joining in May 2023. Price: A$4,600

Brand TAG Heuer
Model Carrera Date 36mm
Reference Numbers WBN2310.BA0001
WBN2311.BA0001
WBN2312.BA0001
WBN2313.BA0001
Case Dimensions 36mm (D) x 10mm (T) x 41.6mm (L2L)
Case Material Stainless steel
Water Resistance 50 metres
Dial Sunburst silver, blue or green
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 April 2023 (silver, green, blue)
May 2023 (pink)
Price A$4,600