TAG Heuer Tourbillon Carrera Calibre 02T

TAG Heuer Tourbillon Carrera Calibre 02T

Everything you need to know about TAG Heuer’s latest addition to the Carrera family.

In French, the word ‘Tourbillon’ means vortex. A vortex is a mass of wind or water which spins around so fast that it pulls objects into its empty centre. In horology, (the study and measurement of time and the art of making timepieces) the Tourbillon is an additional feature to the mechanics of a watch escapement.

Over 200 years ago, pocket watches became the most used portable timekeepers. Due to their constant same position in the pocket, the rate of accuracy was affected and unbalanced. Thanks to the invention of the Tourbillon that was patented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, the unbalance has been compensated.

If a watch has a tendency to run faster in some positions and slower in others, by rotating all of the timekeeping components inside 360-degrees, the watch will be taken through both fast and slow positions and the rate errors will cancel each other out. The key fact about a Tourbillon is that it’s driven from behind, the power comes up to a pinion which lies behind the cage and as it delivers energy to the cage to make it turn, it provides both power for the rotation around the fixed gear and the power of the escapement.TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 02T Nanograph Tourbillon

As well as featuring the unique 1 minute Tourbillon, the experts at TAG Heuer have also developed a carbon balance spring to regulate this watch for the first time ever. Made using a natural gas, it governs the oscillations of the balance and can withstand shocks of 5,000G, magnetic fields and extreme temperatures and ensures optimum precision whilst improving timekeeping performance.

In addition to being the first watch to be regulated by this carbon balance-spring, it has an innovative new dial design – a nanoscopic hexagonal pattern which is one million times smaller than a millimetre. The watch face is multi-layered and features sandblasted and fine-brushed hexagons on the movement plate, visible through the open-work, skeletonised dial which is also mirrored on the transparent case back. The COSC-certified chronograph meets the official standards for chronometers and is highlighted by its three sub-dials – the minute and hour chronograph counters at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock respectively, and the Tourbillon at 6 o’clock which has a neon green anodized aluminium bridge, adding a vibrant splash of colour. Finished with a neon-tipped chronograph seconds hand and black-gold plated indexes and hour and minute hands, all set with a luminescent fill for high visibility in the dark.TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 02T Nanograph Tourbillon

The imposing 45 mm case is hand-crafted from fine-brushed, black PVD-coated grade 2 titanium with strong carbon lugs and a co-ordinating fixed bezel with tachymeter scale. The dial is protected by crystal – sapphire crystal with an antireflective treatment on both sides, featured on the case front and case back which improves readability. The black strap is a strong and durable mix of calfskin leather and rubber with neon green stitching to complement the watch case and a titanium folding clasp buckle for a secure fit on the wrist.

At the heart of this Swiss-made timepiece is the TAG Heuer Calibre Heuer 02 Tourbillon Nanograph automatic movement with a 31 mm diameter, 33 rubies and a balance frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The 100 m water resistance is ideal for everyday wear and it has an impressive power reserve of 65 hours.

Delivered in its own special packaging, it also includes a complementary watch winder for your convenience. The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 02T Nanograph Tourbillon is only available at TAG Heuer. If you are interested in this unique wristwatch or would like any more information on its many features, please contact us at Hugh Rice.