TAG Heuer is launching an upmarket of its sailing chronograph at Watches & Wonders 2024: the Carrera Chronograph Skipper in 18k rose gold is essentially the same as the steel iteration released in 2023, save for the precious metal case.

Employing the well received “Glassbox” case, the Skipper has the signature domed dial flange that acts as an inner bezel, accentuated by a domed sapphire crystal. Unique to the Skipper model are the teal sub-dial at nine and the tri-colour register at three, both modelled on the vintage original.

Initial Thoughts

I am a fan of the Carrera Glassbox. It’s a surprisingly versatile model – some variants have a no-nonsense style that bring to mind the original racing chronographs of the 1960s, while others like the Skipper are strikingly coloured. Most variants nonetheless are inspired by the vintage Carrera in all its flavours.

None of the other Carrera models come close to the Skipper’s sunburst blue dial with teal accents; it looks quite splendid under the sun. Not to mention that the Skipper happens to be very wearable at 39 mm.

Whether the gold version is an appealing proposition is another questions altogether. Most would opt for the steel Skipper just as a matter of budget. That said, the rose gold Skipper at CHF 21,000, is an acceptable value proposition as solid-gold chronographs go.

Its competitive advantage lies in the appealing, historically-inspired design and in-house column wheel chronograph movement – there are lots of similar offers in the same price same but few get the whole package right like the Carrera “Glassbox” does.

The Skipper in stainless steel with the same distinctive look and more affordable

A nod to history

The Carrera Chronograph Skipper is based on the Skipper ref. 7754 of 1968 – which had the same coloured registers – although it is far from merely a vintage re-issue. The “Glassbox” case, for one, is a new design that adopts elements of the original but still manages to look modern.

The lugs have the same form as the vintage original, but are wider and more prominent. The case does away with the bezel. Instead the flange around the dial is raised and domed to echo the “box” sapphire crystal.

To match the case, the indices are gold plate and applied, as is the frame for the date window at six. The hands are similarly gold plated and filled with white Super-Luminova.

Visible through the sapphire case back is the in-house TH20-06. It’s a a column wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch and 80 hours of power reserve. Shaped like the TAG Heuer shield emblem, the rotor winds bidirectionally.

Key facts and price

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper 
Ref. CBS2241.FN8023

Diameter: 39 mm
Height: 13.9 mm
Material: 18K Rose Gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. Heuer 02 (Ref. TH20-06)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 80 hours

Strap: Blue fabric strap with pin buckle

Limited edition: No
Availability: Available in TAG Heuer boutiques and retailers starting April 2024
Price: CHF21,000

For more information, visit TAGHeuer.com.