Here we go...first new Basel release:

http://www.calibre11.com/first-look-2015-tag-heuer-carrera-heuer-01/

 

Yes, I was surprised given what JC Biver said only a couple of weeks ago...but maybe that version is still coming

 

Layout doesn't bother me as much on a skeleton dial, as it's hard to see the differences!

As I wrote in the post, I like the direction of the Heuer-01. If TAG Heuer can keep putting out heritage pieces like the Calibre 18 Carrera, as well as doing progressive designs like this one, it seems to me to be a good balance

 

While new designs are always welcomed, this one seems to have too much of JC Biver's influence and his taste from Hublot in it. Pass...

 

I don't understand what is happening with the end-pieces/ lugs- that's the part I'm keen to see

 

Don't know. Many of the "Heuer" models were developed during the Linder-era, although JC Biver did say he liked the idea of continuing with Heuer models.

I reckon the divergence is between watches using in-house movements and those using external movements. While traditionally they've looked "the same", they certainly won't in the future.

 

I don't mind this one bit, as long as the pricing is reasonable it does create something a bit different and sort of fitting considering Carrera and its racing heritage.

 

Jack Heuer designed the original Carrera to offer precise and efficient readouts of dials. He has spoken extensively about the subject and how the Modernist movement influenced him to pursue minimalist design and simplicity in the purest form. Everything he learned from them, combined with the Engineering techniques for efficient dials, lead him and his team, to the "clean" design of the original Carrera, which made readings accurate and efficient for motor-sport use.

While this piece has some Carrera inspired lines, its skeleton and elaborate design, complicate the readouts, instead if making them simpler. For this reason, classifying this new piece under the Carrera line, can be argued is not true to its origin. Therefore, in my humble opinion, this would have been better served under its own line.

 

Agree with some of these thoughts Hubert- to me, this is the equivalent of the Monaco V4 to the original 1133B. Of course it is not as pure as the late 60s designs, but I do think it shows the same "boldness" as the original.

And importantly, this is not the look of all models...this is the "statement" model

 

Thank you David. Yes, I agree with you and also considered the V4 when writing my comments, since it could be easily used as a counterpoint to these arguments. You said right, although this may not be a purist design, it's all about making a bold statement.

 

Agree that the pricing is one of the main stories here...