Jack Heuer, great-grandson of the founder of TAG Heuer, former CEO of the Manufacture and current Honorary President, celebrated his birthday yesterday. And to honor his eighty-eighth birthday, the Swiss watch company has launched a limited edition 18-karat rose gold of the recently re-launched replica TAG Heuer Carrera chronograph. Drawing inspiration from Jack’s favorite Heuer watch, the iconic vintage Heuer Carrera 1158CHN model, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition of only 188 pieces was born. It is made of 18k rose gold because it is his favorite material. This new watch features Jack’s motto “Time never stops, why should we do it?” featured on the oscillating weight of its Caliber Heuer 02 in-house movement, with double infinity symbol on the dial and signature on the strap. Launched in 1963, TAG Heuer Carrera is not only Jack Heuer’s favorite collection, but also the first timepiece he created entirely, choosing and registering his name as well as designing its aesthetics down to the smallest details. The Carrera was a watch made for professional racing drivers, featuring the minimalist, maximum-reading dial that helped make it legendary. It all began when Jack heard about the dangerous Carrera Panamericana car race. In Spanish this word means “road”, but also “race”, “journey” or “career”, and has shaped the destiny of a replica watches that has now become a true icon. Among the TAG Heuer Carrera models, at the heart of Jack Heuer is one with a special place: the all-gold Heuer Carrera 1158CHN model, which dates back to the 1970s – an iconic vintage timepiece that inspired the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition. Crafted in 18-karat rose gold, this anniversary specimen marks the return of this precious metal to the TAG Heuer collections. In the 1970s, Jack Heuer began a tradition by giving an 18-karat gold Heuer Carrera as a lucky charm to Formula 1 Ferrari drivers – Ronnie Peterson, Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni – during the period of the partnership between Heuer and Ferrari. With the driver’s name and blood group engraved on the caseback, these Heuer Carrera 1158CHN models have become highly sought after among collectors, as well as a symbol of the great era of motor racing. Framed in a 42mm 18K rose gold case, the TAG Heuer Carrera Limited Edition Gold Jack Heuer Birthday Chronograph features a silver opaline dial and a pair of stylized infinity rings applied to the center of the dial itself, to symbolize Jack’s birthday and remember his precious and eternal loyalty to the brand. The model is faithful to the aesthetics of the original 1158CHN Heuer: only the two internal brushed dials with a soleil effect, at 3 and 9 o’clock, stand out with their contrasting black color – a clear hint of the racing watches of the time. The counter at 6 o’clock, non-existent in the original version, elegantly blends with the tone-on-tone dial. The silhouette of the redesigned date window and the hands sized perfectly matched to those of the hour markers are two delicate details that derive directly from Jack’s vision and careful gaze towards a crisp and clear dial design and add the finishing touch to the balance aesthetic of this timepiece. The black alligator leather strap features Jack Heuer’s signature in gold letters. This limited edition model features the Caliber Heuer 02 in-house movement, comprising 168 elements, including a column wheel and vertical clutch, and boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve. The visible oscillating weight has engraved Jack Heuer’s motto “Time never stops, why should we do it?”. This exclusive celebratory timepiece can be pre-ordered from yesterday and will be available in TAG Heuer boutiques and online from March 2021.
