The TAG Heuer Carrera “Tête de Vipère” Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer is a brand new Limited Edition 155 piece chronometer certified Heuer Carrera chronograph released in celebration of the collections 55 year history.

TAG Heuer Carrera “Tête de Vipère” Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer

Chronometer certified by the heritage Besançon Observatory, TAG Heuer’s new Carrera “Tête de Vipère” Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer is named for the prestigious stamp of excellence that was among the earliest symbols of vaunted precision first used in 1897. The high-quality metrological guarantee was offered by Besançon Observatory, a public governing body operating under the purview of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, unlike COSC, the mark of the “Tête de Vipère” certifies the watch as a whole, not just the movement.

Unfortunately, the Besançon Observatory’s “Tête de Vipère” was abandoned in the 1970s, and for 36 years, it was forgotten, only to be relaunched in 2006, where the “Tête de Vipère” chronometer certification has since been awarded to just 500 pieces. To obtain this certificate of excellence, watches like the new TAG Heuer Carrera “Tête de Vipère” Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer are fully assembled and then undergo a protocol involving 16 days of robust testing, in five different positions at three different temperatures.

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer is highly modern version expression of the 55 year old Carrera collection, featuring a contemporary design and combining the two of traditional watchmaking’s most celebrated complications: a high complication tourbillon and a high precision chronograph.

The calibre of the new Carrera “Tête de Vipère” Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer is housed in a midnight blue ceramic case, perfectly matched with a ceramic bezel and lugs. Matching the overall aesthetics are accents of blue seen throughout the skeleton chronograph tourbillon movement in components like the oscillating weight and movement barrel.

With its polished, brushed and bead-blasted finishes, the TAG Heuer Carrera “Tête de Vipère” Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer, launched at Baselworld 2018, is a sophisticated, modern descended of the legendary Heuer Carrera Chronograph, reflecting the highest quality Swiss watchmaking know-how and now, the heritage “Tête de Vipère” mark from Besançon Observatory applied to the bridge, visible through the sapphire crystal of the case back.

The new Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon available in 155 limited editions is complemented by a beautiful black alligator strap, sewn onto rubber with blue stitching.

Carrera “Tête de Vipère” Chronograph Tourbillon Price and Specs

Movement Automatic HEUER-02T calibre with 72 hours power reserve
Case 45mm blue ceramic case with 100 metres water resistance
Strap Leather
Price TBA (Expected US$25,000)