TAG Heuer Carrera “Tête de Vipère†Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer
As you can probably gather from the name, this new piece from TAG Heuer combines two of the most popular complications of the wrist watch – the tourbillon and a chronograph. However, what makes this watch quite special is the fact that, yes, it is chronometer certified but, no, it did not go through COSC like other watches do. Hence the “Tête de Vipère†stamp of approval.
To differentiate itself from the many other chronometer-certified watches out there, TAG Heuer gets this Carrera certified by the the Besançon Observatory, operating on behalf of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. It is the only independent, public organisation able to inspect chronometers and, since 2006, only 500 watches have received this highly exclusive certification.
Unlike COSC, which tests just the movement of a watch, to obtain the “Tête de Vipère†stamp, a watch has to be fully assembled and undergo a testing protocol involving 16 days of testing, in five different positions and at three different temperatures.
The case of the watch is made of blue ceramic with a 45mm diameter, while the pushers and crown are crafted from steel. The movement powering the watch is the same calibre HEUER-02T used in the brand’s bid to create affordable haute horlogerie pieces a couple of years back.
