In chronological order, the first of these is the Carrera collection, launched in 1963. Its name and inspiration come from the renowned road race, the Carrera Panamericana Mexico. According to the brand, the collection was created by then-CEO Jack Heuer, a passionate racing enthusiast who was determined to create a professional chronograph for both racing and professional drivers. In 2023, the Carrera collection celebrates its 60th anniversary. Inspired by the original, the brand released an 18K gold cased anniversary model (Ref. CBS2240.FC8319). The case, hands, hour markers, and dial are all crafted from 18K gold, and the watch is equipped with the TH20-00 chronograph movement. This movement, based on the Heuer 02, features modified gears, a bidirectional winding rotor, and an 80-hour power reserve.
The second collection with deep roots in motorsports is the Monaco. The first model in the series, released in 1969, featured a sharply angular square case and was one of the world's first watches equipped with an automatic chronograph movement (the Calibre 11), revolutionizing traditional chronograph design from the inside out. The Monaco's fame is largely due to the contributions of legendary Hollywood actor and racing driver Steve McQueen. In 1969, he wore a Monaco in the film "Le Mans," making it a screen classic. Besides its square case and automatic chronograph movement, the original Monaco collection also features a crown positioned at 9 o'clock. This design wasn't intended to accommodate left-handed users, but rather to account for the structural characteristics of the Calibre 11. Although modern watches no longer use this classic movement, some models retain this detail as a tribute to tradition. The best TAG Heuer Monaco replica watches at captainthewatch.is.
If the Carrera series is considered the "founding piece" of TAG Heuer's racing watches, establishing the brand's product line, and the Monaco is considered the "innovation piece" of TAG Heuer's racing watches, combining an automatic chronograph movement with a square case, then the Formula 1 series, released in 1986, became a "popular piece" thanks to its precision, ease of maintenance, and relatively affordable price, making the racing watch category widely known. The first TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch (Series 1), launched in 1986, featured a vibrant 35mm composite case and a popular quartz movement of the era, offering precision, lightness, and easy maintenance. However, the Formula 1 series holds far greater significance for the brand: it was the first watch, after joining the TAG Group (Techniques d'Avant-Garde), to bear the TAG Heuer name on its dial, a name that continues to this day. The Formula 1 collection has evolved over the years, now featuring a variety of complications, including chronographs and GMT models. Furthermore, its case options have expanded beyond composite materials to include stainless steel and titanium, further enhancing its style diversity. However, when it comes to tradition, the most iconic element of the Formula 1 collection is undoubtedly the colorful, matching case of the original model. To this end, in 2024, TAG Heuer partnered with fashion brand KITH to recreate the legendary look of the original 1986 Formula 1 watch.
