TAG Heuer goes extraterrestrial with the Carrera Astronomer (live pics)
Russell Sheldrake- TAG Heuer introduces the Carrera Astronomer in three different variations.
- With a new take on the moonphase complication.
- This watch comes in standard production and two limited editions, priced at CHF 4,350.
The TAG Heuer Carrera has taken many forms, whether it’s taking on the non-stop world of yacht racing or the high-octane motorsports arena, it has always looked to push boundaries, and now with the new TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer, it looks to take on space. With a new interpretation of the classical moonphase complication, the Astronomer sets a change of pace for the racing watch, as it takes its timing from the slow procession of the lunar calendar rather than the adrenaline-fuelled milliseconds at the finish line.
So let’s focus on this new moonphase complication and how TAG Heuer has managed to integrate it into this naturally sporty watch. At its core is a rotating disc that sits at 6 o’clock with two slender arrows sitting on it which is where you read this moonophase from. Around the periphery of this disc we have one half covered in seven phases of the moon along with a precise scale to track the 29 and a half day cycle, and the other a word to describe the moon’s current state. This form of displaying a moonphase feels far more accurate than the traditional, romanticised version many of us are used to. This is the type of precision we would expect from TAG Heuer when taking on a complication such as this.
But what right does TAG have to produce a celestial complication? Aren’t they just a brand based around fast cars as that’s about it? If you go back to 1962, a Heuer was the first Swiss-made watch to make it into space while on the wrist of astronaut John Glenn when he circled the Earth three times with a specially modified Heuer 2915A on his wrist. So the brand’s extraterrestrial credentials are legit.
This new release comes in three different models, one in standard production, and the other two are limited to just 500 a piece. The standard production watch comes with an almost tuxedo colour scheme with a fully black sub-dial at six and black chapter ring paired with a silver sunray brushed main dial that is punctuated by applied Arabic numerals. This watch is also only available on the brand’s beads-of-rice bracelet.
Next, the two limited pieces both add splashes of colour that help them stand apart. First up, a more modern take comes in the form of green Super-LumiNova spread across all the major elements on the dial. This includes the numerals, the hands, the moonphases and the sub-dial arrows, all of this green is paired with a grey sub-dial and chapter ring which goes wonderfully with the grey leather strap that accompanies this watch. Finally, the third model brings a more luxe feel to this watch with touches of 5N rose gold across the dial, hands and part of the beads-of-rice bracelet.
All three come in the standard Carrera case the measures 39mm across with its sharp lugs that span 45.2mm from top to bottom. Turn the watches over and they feature a solid caseback that depicts an astronomical observatory and hides the Calibre 7 movement inside that has an ETA base and can be found in many of the time-only Carrera collection today. Of course, in this model is has been modified with the addition of this new moonphase module.
It could feel slightly awkward for such a forward-looking brand such as TAG Heuer to suddenly embrace one of the most antiquated complications on the market, but the manner in which they have done so here speaks volumes to the brand’s mindset and what we can expect from them moving forward. We’ve already seen incredible innovation in the carbon hairspring models this summer, not to mention the wickedly complex Monaco split-seconds chronograph from last year. I’m glad to see this model release in such a considered and on-brand package, and hopefully we will see more of the same down the line.
TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer pricing and availability
The new TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer is available from October in three models, one is standard production, while the other two are limited to just 500 pieces. Price: From CHF 4,350.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Carrera Astronomer |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 12.16mm (T) x 45.2mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Silver with black sub-dial and chapter ring Silver with grey sub-dial and chapter ring Silver with salmon chapter ring |
| Lug Width | 20.5mm |
| Strap | Case-matching bracelet, butterfly clasp Grey leather strap, folding clasp Stainless Steel and 5n rose gold plated bracelet, butterfly clasp |
| Movement | Calibre 7 |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, moonphase |
| Availability | From October Standard production (silver and black dial) Limited to 500 pieces (sliver and grey dial, silver and rose dial) |
| Price | CHF 4,350 (silver and grey dial) CHF 4,550 (silver and black dial) CHF 6,900 (silver and rose dial) |