TAG Heuer is undoubtedly one of the great pioneers of watchmaking, and with a track record such as theirs, the world is usually on bated breath waiting on this brand’s next release. TAG has, for Baselworld 2013, released possibly their most innovative and technically ingenious model to date. Watch Marvel is pleased to introduce the TAG Heuer Carrera MikrotourbillonS.
This watch is the first dual tourbillon to display and measure the 1/100th of a second chronograph. Most tourbillons are sourced from outside of the manufacturer but TAG Heuer envisioned, developed, and went about creating this masterpiece all in house. The movement features two tourbillons – the first rotates once per minute at 4Hz (28,800Vph), while the second tourbillon rotates every 5 seconds with a mind boggling regulating organ going at 50z (360,000Vph). The tourbillons can be viewed on the left side of the dial through a large aperture almost making for a semi-skeletonized dial. Both tourbillons are secured with 18kt rose gold bridges.
The dial, itself, is fashioned from anthracite with Cotes de Genève finishings. The dial features two counters at 6 and 3 recording the chronograph seconds and chronograph minutes respectively. The central chronograph hand races around the dial to give the 1/100th of a second reading on demand. Marking the split seconds are white Arabic numerals on an anthracite flange and a hand applied 18kt rose gold ‘100’ rendered in Arabic numerals. The hour and minute hands are also made from polished anthracite and are liberally coated with lume. Located at 12 is a 60 minute power reserve display for the chronograph translated in a retrograde display format. The main timekeeping functions of the watch offer a 45 hour power reserve.
The case is crafted from 18kt rose gold and sandblasted tantalum and measure in at 45mm for the diameter. The case back uses the tantalum and a sapphire crystal allowing the wearer to see this superlative self-winding movement. Naturally, a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal is also used as the dial window safeguarding against nicks and scratches. The chronograph pushers and main crown are also made from rose gold with the latter featuring overmolded rubber.
The leather used by TAG for this model is an anthracite colored high tech soft alligator strap which has been carefully hand sewn optimizing comfort and durability. The buckle is a tantalum folding clasp and carries proudly the TAG Heuer logo. Each buckle from TAG has been tested for strength against wear and tear. This watch – the MikrotourbillonS from the Carrera Collection is guaranteed for 2 years.
TAGS: Automatic Watches, Chronographs, Exhibition Case Back, Haute Horlogerie, Leather, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Power Reserve, Retrograde, Rose Gold, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Skeleton Watch, Split Second Chronographs, Tourbillon, Water Resistant