Competition is tough in this battle to pick the top five TAG Heuer watches of 2020
Zach BlassWithin the world of sports watch manufacturers, TAG Heuer has carved its place in history as one of the leading brands. Best known for its racing chronographs, today the brand combines the best of both worlds, creating timepieces inspired by its rich heritage while incorporating the latest movement and manufacturing technologies. TAG Heuer has always had a strong presence in the minds of buyers (particularly in Australia), but 2020 presented some of their strongest releases of the recent era. Here are my top five TAG Heuer releases of 2020.
TAG Heuer X Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Limited Edition
Last year saw a lot of blue dial watches being released, undoubtedly establishing blue as the colour of the year. But TAG Heuer has been there, done that with their iconic Monaco chronograph. Instead, the Monaco received a refreshing makeover in the form of a limited edition for the Monaco Grand Prix. The TAG Heuer X Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Limited Edition is the Monaco watch we know and love, but with a red dial housed in its 39mm case that makes it stands out from the crowd. The bold red really catches the eye and freshens up the classic design. With its gorgeous silver and red sunburst dial, this is a watch that can certainly be my horological valentine.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition
Bamford previously blew the minds of TAG Heuer fans with a carbon-cased Monaco watch that utilised the signature Bamford blue on its dial. This year Bamford introduced another winning design with the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition. Without glistening mirror polished finishes, this is not a watch that begs for attention – it’s a subtler timepiece for those who take the time to appreciate the finer details. The sandblasted titanium is ripe for daily wear, and will certainly hide its aging over time. The case has a modern diameter of 43mm but an approachable lug to lug of 49mm that makes it surprisingly wearable. While not the signature Bamford blue, burnt orange accents provide a pop of colour to the black dial that’s marked with fine grooves like a glossy vinyl record. With the sector lines and concentric lines this watch evokes the aesthetic of a target, and I believe TAG Heuer and Bamford have hit the bullseye here.
TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Montreal and Silver Limited Editions
Like a parent with two children, I could not really pick a favourite here – so I cheated a bit and included both the Montreal and Silver 160 Years Limited Editions. In reality they are the same watch in two different but excellent wardrobes.
For those who want the retro-modern appeal of a pop of colour, the Montreal Limited Edition has a youthful panda dial that pairs blue chronograph registers and a blue outer ring on a matte white or opaline dial. The hands, the pips behind each hour index, and the accents of the elapsed minutes register bring a hint of yellow to the timepiece while the central seconds hand is rendered in red.
Looking for something a little more true to the Carrera that inspired it? Then the Silver Limited Edition is for you. The dial pairs fauxtina hands and hour pips with a silver sunburst dial – resulting in a true revitalisation of their classic racing chronograph.
Both watches are true to their muse with a case profile of 39mm and are each powered by the caliber HEUER02 automatic chronograph movement.
TAG Heuer Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph Olive Green Dial
For those who are looking for something green and sporty for their collection, this TAG Heuer Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph is a watch that needs to be on your radar. The tone and texture of this watch cannot be underestimated with its concentric satin sunray brush and radially ridged chronograph registers. The watch has a modern size of 44mm in diameter, but the sharp sloped lugs mitigate its lug to lug stance on the wrist. If you prefer a classic chronograph aesthetic, the bezel matches the case in stainless steel echoing the years before ceramic bezels were introduced. With 100 metres of water resistance, this is a watch you can wear whether you’re racing on the track or diving into the water.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition
Thinking you want something a little more precious? The recently announced TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition celebrates one of the brand’s most beloved leaders who helped shaped the brand into what it is today. Reaching stores later this year in March, the Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition is a re-issue of Jack’s favourite ever Heuer watch, the gold Heuer Carrera 1158CHN. The 42mm watch is encased in 18-carat 5N rose gold and, to pay homage to Jack himself, the dial features a rotated 88 to symbolize both his 88th birthday and the infinity loops of a racing track. Meanwhile the rotor on the movement is engraved with the motto of the man himself: “Time never stops, why should we?”.