Culminating 150 Years of Watchmaking Innovation, TAG Heuer Unveils Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph

BASEL, Switzerland, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Long the standard bearer for chronographs in the luxury watch industry, TAG Heuer underscored its pre-eminence today with the introduction of the Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph. A premium timepiece that is a true collaboration of timeless elegance and technical innovation, the Carrera is the first TAG Heuer watch to be powered by the brand's new Calibre 1887 chronograph movement.

The mechanism comprises 320 components, including the ground-breaking TAG Heuer oscillating pinion, patented in 1887. The hallmark of this integrated, column wheel chronograph is its capacity to store energy as needed. Unlike traditional movements, which continuously amass energy, the Calibre 1887 only stores as much power as needed. This ensures that there is less stress on the movement, thereby ensuring its longevity.

Boasting contemporary style and cutting-edge mechanics, the Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph evokes TAG Heuer's grand watchmaking tradition.  The robust engine is viewable through the Carrera's scratch-resistant sapphire caseback, allowing wearers to appreciate the exceptional intricacies of this movement. Available in either black or silver, the Carrera's dial hosts three counters: a chronograph hour at 6 o'clock, a permanent running second at 9 o'clock and a chronograph minute at 12 o'clock, each of which offers at-a-glance access to precision timing. Additionally, the 41 mm model's domed sapphire crystal with double-sided antireflective treatment and luminescent hour and minute hands provides optimum readability.

With its clean, fluid lines – complemented by either a stainless steel bracelet or black alligator strap – the Carrera 1887 Chronograph is an instant classic, rising above the whims of fashion trends.  Made of 316L surgical-grade steel, the hardest, most scratch-resistant metal, the Carrera's case can withstand the rigors of daily wear, making this a versatile timepiece you'll never want to take off.

The Carrera 1887 Chronograph will retail for approximately $3900 in the U.S. and Canada.

Calibre 1887 Movement

The new 13 line Calibre 1887 movement offers optimal performance with a power reserve of 50 hours and a balance frequency of 28,800 beats per hour.  Additionally, the oscillating pinion enables chronographs to start in less than 2/1000th of a second. Based on an existing platform developed and patented in the late 1990s by SII, the Calibre 1887 movement's main plate, bridges, column wheel and oscillating weight were re-engineered by TAG Heuer's research and development team to increase its reliability and functionality.  These modified components were produced at the brand's industrial facility, based in Cornol, Switzerland.  TAG Heuer sourced the assortment – composed of the balance spring, the pallets and escape wheel – from Nivarox, a leading Swiss producer of escapement parts.

History of the Oscillating Pinion

Developed and patented by Edouard Heuer in 1887, the oscillating pinion remains a key component for major Swiss watchmaking brands.  Prior to this invention, chronographs were powered by a complex clutch that comprised a vast array of working parts and was labor-intensive to build.  Heuer's oscillating pinion simplified this mechanism by replace the two large wheels of the anterior movements with a mobile stem and two pinions.  This revolutionary development changed the face of mechanical chronographs by requiring fewer components and less assembly time, while guaranteeing the utmost in timekeeping accuracy.  The oscillating pinion also resulted in the growth of a new industry in the watch world, as well as dramatic expansion of the entire sector, since chronographs could be produced with greater efficiency and cost effectiveness.

TAG Heuer Celebrates 150 Years of Watchmaking Innovation

The year 2010 marks TAG Heuer's 150th anniversary – a milestone that celebrates the brand's evolution from a small workshop in the Swiss Jura Mountains to its status today as a leader in the luxury watch market. Since its inception, TAG Heuer has demonstrated a passion for accurately measuring even the smallest increment of time. It is the only watchmaker to develop a mechanical automatic chronograph movement that displays 1/10th, 1/100th and 1/1000th of a second, as well as the only brand to capture 1/10,000th of a second. The brand's 150-year legacy is peppered with displays of engineering prowess, including the world's first oscillating pinion, patented in 1887, and the recently launched Monaco V4, which features a double-patented belt-driven movement that shatters the basic tenets of how a watch keeps time.  Through a constant pursuit of excellence and innovation, TAG Heuer creates timepieces that are a defining symbol of state-of-the-art originality.

SOURCE TAG Heuer