TAG Heuer Carrera Celebrates 60 Years With New Watches Under $6,500

The Heuer Carrera is one of those iconic timepieces that will forever hold a place in the minds and hearts of watch fans worldwide. Introduced in 1963 at the behest of then-Heuer CEO Jack Heuer, the 36 mm steel chronograph featured an uncluttered dial with applied indices and stepped subdials. Legible. Dependable. And perfect for use in motorsports, as it was intended. Since that first emblematic model, numerous ever-popular iterations have been introduced, and as this year marks the 60^th anniversary of the Heuer Carrera, TAG Heuer is debuting a whopping roster of new watches.

The new anniversary Carrera watches are showing up in varying sizes—starting at the original 36mm—and each is a gentle nod to the namesake timepiece that started it all, stretching aesthetic and functional borders as time and taste dictate. Here are a few to consider, starting with my favorite, the 42mm blue-dial chronograph.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 42mm

Driven by the automatic chronograph Heuer 02 automatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve, this model has a sunray-brushed blue dial with a date window at 6 o’clock (there’s a black-dial model, too) with upbeat accents in yellow, orange and red. The brushed and polished 42mm steel case has a see-though caseback and is fitted with a blue leather strap with a steel folding buckle. The black model comes on a black leather strap. Both variations each retail for $5,750.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 39mm

With a brushed and polished vintage-inspired steel case, the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph 39mm offers a view of the automatic TH20-00 chronograph movement with 80 hours of power reserve. The bi-directional movement has a redesigned skeletonized rotor recalling the Tag Heuer shield. Available with a blue or black dial, this new model has a date window at 6 o’clock and is fitted on a matching leather strap with a steel folding buckle. It is priced at $6,450.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date

At 36mm and crafted in steel, this three-hand model comprises a trio of dial options—classic gray, cool blue, vivid pink and a soothing shade of mossy green. Each features luminescent rose gold-plated hands and applied hour markers in striking contrast to the monochromatic surroundings. The Caliber 7 automatic movement with 56 hours of power reserve animates the hours, minutes, seconds and date at 6 o’clock; it is visible via the see-through caseback. The four watches, water resistant to 50 meters, are fitted on a push button-actuated steel bracelet with a steel folding clasp. Each is priced at $3,200.