The new TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph Baselworld 2018

The TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Chronograph comes exclusively in a 43mm wide case – note that there will be a 45mm version with a GMT function that TAG Heuer hints at in their press release, but doesn’t tell us more for the time being. Rumor has it, the new Heuer 02 will replace the 43mm Heuer-01, while the 45mm Heuer-01 will continue to live on. This, neatly, leads us to the movement: the Heuer-02, which we have seen in the generally well-received Autavia (reviewed here), marks the long-forgotten CH80’s return and now finds its way into the Carrera collection.

TAG HEUER PRESENTS A NEW VERSION OF ITS IN-HOUSE MOVEMENT WITH A GMT FUNCTION. A TOOL MATCHING THE YOUNG GENERATION’S HUNGER FOR TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE.
TAG HEUER PRESENTS A NEW VERSION OF ITS IN-HOUSE MOVEMENT WITH A GMT FUNCTION. A TOOL MATCHING THE YOUNG GENERATION’S HUNGER FOR TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE.

TAG Heuer—all part of LVMH watch division under the direction of Jean-Claude Biver. Today we take a look at some of the new 2018 TAG Heuer releases and unsurprisingly, there’s a mixed bag of mechanical timepieces, ladies’ watches, and smartwatches in the lineup.

The case has a solid construction with a solid case back which is engraved with the TAG logo and a depiction of a checkered flag symbolizing TAG Heuer’s commitment to motorsports.

Review of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Model
Review of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Model

The F1 series is traditionally geared towards motorheads and racing enthusiasts but they also thought about adding some water resistance for everyone else. Although 200m/660ft is not enough for any serious diving, you can wear it in the shower or take it swimming and other similar types of exposure to water.

The second time zone, an ultra-practical feature that can be adjusted with the crown, is read using the lacquered red hand and the black and blue ceramic bezel, which has a 24-hour GMT scale.There was something about how the almost-azure dial and orange-red highlights contrasted that really stood out for me. Overall, it’s an inspired vintage take that doesn’t feel overly antiquated or bland.

TAG Heuer also released a sporty black and red model on a motorsport-inspired
TAG Heuer also released a sporty black and red model on a motorsport-inspired

To ensure optimum legibility, the GMT hand has been ingeniously mounted in a secondary position — between the hour and minute hands — enabling it to pass over the indexes and skim the GMT scale.

New Rolex Models at Baselworld 2018

For the first time since its introduction, Rolex is offering the stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II (126170BLRO) with a ceramic bezel in the legendary blue and red ‘Pepsi’ configuration. Ever since the updated GMT-Master II appeared on the market in 2008, many people have wanted to see a steel version of the watch with the famous Pan Am colors. And while many people were speculating that Rolex would reveal the ‘Coke’ version (black and red bezel) at Baselworld 2018, the brand instead reintroduced the classic configuration that started the legend.

The 40mm Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II features a bi-directional rotatable bezel.
The 40mm Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II features a bi-directional rotatable bezel.

This watch features the iconic two-tone ceramic bezel, familiar from the white gold GMT-Master II that was released in 2014. With the introduction of the steel version with the Pepsi bezel, Rolex has also decided to quietly change the dial color from black to blue on the white gold version.

The new stainless steel version features a redesigned Jubilee bracelet and the newly developed Rolex caliber 3285. With the launch of the new Jubilee bracelet, Rolex is bringing back an iconic GMT Master look. Though there are many fans of the Jubilee bracelet, it will be interesting to see whether Rolex introduces a version with the Oyster bracelet sometime in the future.

New Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi in white gold 116719BLRO, Image: Rolex
New Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi in white gold 116719BLRO, Image: Rolex

In addition to the stainless steel version with the classic Pepsi dial, Rolex also announced a bicolor GMT-Master II in 18k rose gold and stainless steel as well as a solid 18-karat rose gold version. Both versions feature the newly introduced black and brown ceramic bezel, the same Rolex caliber 3285, and the Oyster bracelet as seen in the GMT-Master II.

The new divers’ watch, Rolex Deepsea, features the calibre 3235 for the first time. The calibre has a blue Parachrom hairspring which is up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shock.

Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea
Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea

The 44mm-diametre divers’ watch features redesigned lugs and sides with a broader bracelet. The watch is water-resistant to 3,900 metres and comes with a 70-hour power reserve.