Totally black and totally matt, TAG Heuer
is unveiling its very first proprietary
men’s chronograph made entirely from
ceramic, including the bracelet.
Presented for the first time two years ago at Baselworld, the Carrera Heuer-01
is the signature Chrono model from the TAG Heuer manufacture. In 2015,
the watch formed the cornerstone of a burgeoning new collection, with
a new design, a new Heuer-01 in-house calibre, and a new modular case
design with 12 different elements enabling multiple combinations of materials
and colours.
For this 2017 version, the sleek chronograph — the brand’s current bestseller
— has been entirely produced using matt black ceramic. The case,
bezel, lugs and case middle (all the parts exposed to friction) are made
from black ceramic. This material offers unparalleled scratch-resistance.
It presents a micro-blasted finish for a flawless deep black design.
Technically, to guarantee perfect water resistance to 100 metres, steel is
always present on all the functional parts of the watch (inner box section,
screw-down case back, push-pieces etc.) to enable the gaskets (crystal
gasket, case-back gaskets, push-piece gaskets and crown tube) to fulfil
their function.
The watch is sleeker than ever, with a more contemporary look, and the
ceramic bracelet with its H-shaped links and matt finishes is a pleasure
to wear. In fact ceramic seems the perfect material for the watch industry.
It is incredibly hard — yet soft to the touch — and highly scratch-resistant
(a key quality in a watch). It keeps its original colour, fresh as the day it
was made, and does not oxidise. It is hypoallergenic (also very important
if you wear your watch for 10 to 12 hours a day) and is lighter than steel.
Source: Europa Star TIME.BUSINESS/TIME.KEEPER Dec. 2016 - Jan. 2017