TAG Heuer has launched the Carrera Calibre CH 80 Chronograph this year at Baselworld. This new timepiece stays loyal to the original design presented by Jack Heuer back in 1963 with its 3-6-9 subdial layout, as opposed the 6-9-12 layout that most Carrera lovers are accustomed to. This model has one other major difference – it houses a new movement called the CH 80.
The CH 80 is self-winding mechanical movement that is very slim in comparison to other movements made by TAG Heuer. The movement is only 6.5mm thick; this a truly an amazing feat for a chronograph movement. The CH stands for Chevenez – the site where this movement was created. The 80 refers to the autonomy of the watch, which stands at 80 hours.
The movement also features a Vertical Coupling Clutch, which is designed to enhance the precision of the start phase of the chronograph. The oscillating rotor is satin finished and decorated with Cotes de Genève. All of this can be seen and admired through the transparent sapphire crystal case back.
This new timepiece is offered in 4 variations. The dial colors come in either black or white, with the choice of either a black perforated leather strap or a sporty ‘H’ style bracelet. As the name suggests, this model measures 41mm across (excluding the crown). All cases are fashioned from stainless steel.
The main crown is screw locked and features a red ring that aesthetically complements the other accents in red on the dial. Two pushers are found on either side of the dial controlling the chronograph. The pusher at the 2 position starts and stops the chronograph, while the push-piece at 4 resets it to zero.
Protecting the dial is a scratch resistant sapphire crystal. TAG Heuer uses indexes to mark the hours on this exceptional timepiece. At the 4:30 position is a neat date aperture. The hour and minute hands are rhodium toned and are coated with lume for readability during low light conditions. On the white dial models the subdials are black, while the black dial models carry white subdials. TAG Heuer offers this contrast on its dials to optimize legibility.
The chrono minutes and hours are displayed in totalizers at the 6 and 9 positions respectively. The chrono seconds is indicated by a central red hand. On the flange is a seconds scale with an area highlighted from 60 to 15. The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre CH 80 Chronograph 41mm is water resistant to 100 meters or 330 feet, making this watch perfect for daily wear.
TAGS: Automatic Watches, Carrera, CH 80, Chronographs, Date, Exhibition Case Back, Leather, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Power Reserve, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Stainless Steel, Swiss Made, Tag Heuer, Water Resistant