Pre-Owned Tag Heuer Carrera Watches
Named after the treacherous Carrera Panamericana race held between 1950 and 1955, the original TAG Heuer Carrera was designed by Jack Heuer, the founder’s great-grandson, and released in 1963. This classic watch is a celebration of speed, motorsport and the successful partnership TAG Heuer has had with it over the decades.
Tag Heuer Carrera Watches
The TAG Heuer Carrera is a legendary watch that has captivated enthusiasts since its inception in 1963 and is one of several of the brand’s timepieces with a strong motorsport heritage.
Heuer (as it was called before its 1980s merger with TAG) had already earned a reputation for making quality chronographs, stopwatches and dashboard clocks long before the arrival of the Carrera.
By the late 1950s, automobile racing was a global craze and in 1962 Heuer launched the Autavia chronograph, the first of Heuer’s motorsport-themed watches. One year later, Jack Heuer, the founder’s great-grandson, who had become the company’s majority stockholder, was looking to make his mark on the company by creating a model of his own.
While on a business trip to the US, he attended the Sebring race in Florida where he struck up a conversation with the parents of two young Mexican drivers, Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez. Asked whether they were worried about their sons’ participation in the race, the mother replied that at least the Sebring circuit wasn’t as dangerous as the Carrera.
She was referring to the notoriously hazardous Carrera Panamericana race across Central America that had been banned after claiming the lives of multiple drivers. Jack Heuer liked the sound of the name so much that he vowed to use it for his next watch, which became the Carrera.
With its robust construction, easy legibility, and reliable movement, the Carrera soon became the go-to choice for professional drivers and sports enthusiasts alike. Over the years, it has reached several milestones that have cemented its place in horological history. In 1969, TAG Heuer released one of the very first automatic chronograph movements, the Calibre 11, which was featured in the Carrera for several years. This revolutionary movement set new standards for precision and accuracy in timekeeping.
The Carrera's look has also evolved over time, staying true to its original essence while incorporating modern elements. From the vintage-inspired models with their contrasting chronograph registers to cutting-edge limited editions with skeletonised dials, each Carrera model boasts an exemplary design.
Although early Carrera models were equipped with manual-wind movements, these days almost all Carreras come with sophisticated automatic movements, meticulously crafted to ensure accurate timekeeping.
Watchfinder’s pre-owned TAG Heuer Carrera collection offers a wide range of models to suit different tastes and preferences. From classic stainless-steel designs to lightweight titanium versions, there's a Carrera watch to match every style. As for functions, whether you prefer a sporty chronograph or a more pared-down three-hand model, the Carrera family has you covered.
