TAG Heuer begins 2026 by pushing the Carrera into new horological territory. Revealed at LVMH Watch Week in Milan, the TAG Heuer Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph introduces a rattrapante complication to the collection for the first time, signalling a major step forward for the brand’s Avant-Garde Horlogerie offering.
Few names are as closely associated with the chronograph as TAG Heuer. With a history that spans three centuries and a reputation forged in motorsport, the brand has long balanced precision with performance. The split-seconds complication—capable of timing multiple events simultaneously—represents one of the most demanding expressions of that expertise.
A New Chapter For The Carrera
First launched in 1963 under the leadership of Jack Heuer, the Carrera was designed to bring clarity and modernity to Swiss watchmaking. Named after the Carrera Panamericana road race, it introduced a clean, legible dial, an innovative tension ring beneath the crystal, and the sharply defined lugs that remain a Carrera signature today.
Those design principles underpin the new Split-Seconds Chronograph, but the execution is unmistakably contemporary. The watch is housed in a newly developed 42mm grade-5 titanium case, combining lightness with strength while preserving the Carrera’s refined proportions.
Glassbox Design, Elevated
Building on the glassbox redesign introduced in 2023, the domed sapphire crystal appears seamlessly integrated into the case, magnifying the dial and curved tachymeter flange while reducing parallax. A translucent sapphire dial enhances depth and transparency, allowing the movement’s finishing to remain visible from the front.
Elongated pushers flank the crown to operate the chronograph, while an additional pusher discreetly integrated at nine o’clock activates the split-seconds function. The result is a technically complex watch that remains visually balanced and intuitive to use.
The Calibre TH81-01
At the heart of the watch is the Calibre TH81-01, developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. Beating at 5Hz and offering a 65-hour power reserve, the movement is crafted from grade-5 titanium and composed of more than 350 components.
Entirely finished by hand, it features black-polished screws, hand-bevelled bridges and TAG Heuer’s signature hand-engraved chequered flag motif. The oscillating weight, shaped like the TAG Heuer shield and finished with a subtle gradient, completes a movement that reflects the highest level of the brand’s watchmaking capability.
With the Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph, TAG Heuer demonstrates that its most recognisable icon remains a platform for innovation—bridging motorsport heritage and modern haute horlogerie in a way that feels both purposeful and forward-looking.
(Images: TAG Heuer)
