Tag Heuer Unveils Black & Gold Version Of Carrera Driving Watch

The Carrera’s bold new colorway pays homage to a famous F1 livery.

Black and gold is timeless timepiece colorway, which is why Tudor, Grand Seiko, Bell & Ross and many other manufacturers have released models in the brilliantly contrasting colors.

But being a motorsport-linked watch, the Tag Heuer Carrera’s use of the scheme is adopted for something racier than style alone.

This “most elegant Carrera” is the Swiss luxury watchmaker’s homage to the John Player Special livery made famous by Ayrton Senna’s championship-winning Lotus 98T in the 1980s and Emerson Fittipaldi’s similarly successful Lotus Type 72 in the 70s.

The classic 42mm case, pusher and crown are made of solid 18K 3N yellow gold, while the black sunray brushed dial is topped with a variety of gold-guilded components, including the hands and two “azuré” chronograph subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock. A permanent second indicator and date window at 6 o’clock completes the tricompax layout.

The case back features a sapphire crystal through which the 90-hour Calibre Heuer 02 movement and custom black oscillating mass can be admired. Even the strap follows the pattern, as a large piece of alligator leather pairs with a gold pin buckle.

Priced from $21,500, the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph in black and gold is available to purchase now.