TAG Heuer Remembers Ayrton Senna with Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon
A tribute to the F1 icon.Legendary Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna was a longtime TAG Heuer ambassador up until his death in 1994. On the 30th anniversary of his passing, the Brazilian driver is coming back to the fore with TAG Heuer unveiling the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna just in time for the premiere of the Netflix series Senna.
Based on the Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport, the Senna edition is presented in titanium, carbon composite, and the colours of the Brazilian flag. It bears the driver’s emblem on the carbon composite and hour register at nine, while the case back depicts a helmeted Senna.
Initial thoughts
TAG Heuer is in some ways an underdog – because of its many affordable offerings, its higher-end models sometimes don’t get enough attention. The Carrera Dato “Glassbox”, for instance, is a vintage-inspired but original design that’s appealing and powered by an in-house movement.
The Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon is an integrated chronograph with automatic winding, plus a flying tourbillon, albeit an industrial movement. The big and bold styling isn’t the retro-inspired design that Heuer enthusiasts appreciate, but the Senna edition is executed well and priced right.
Personally speaking, the Senna edition is not my style — there are too Senna elements in the design, unlike the low-key regular-production version. However, the watch itself is affordable as such complications go and the Senna name goes a long way in widening its appeal.
Value-proposition tourbillon
Measuring 44 mm in diameter, the case is alternating brushed and sandblasted titanium with a carbon composite tachymeter bezel. Both the crown and pushers are also titanium.
The dial is skeletonised to reveal the base plate that’s decorated with a chequered flag pattern. Like the case, the dial features blue, green, and yellow accents, a reference to Brazil’s flag. The elapsed hours sub-dial at nine o’clock contains a large Senna “S”, while the flying tourbillon is at six.
The sapphire back is printed with a visage of the legendary driver in his helmet. This partly obscures the self-winding TH20-09, which offers 65 hours of power reserve and beats at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz).
Key facts and price
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Senna
Ref. CBU5081.FT6274
Diameter: 44 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: Grade-2 titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m
Movement: Cal. TH20-09
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, and tourbillon
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 65 hours
Strap: Blue integrated rubber strap with grade-2 titanium folding clasp
Limited edition: 500 pieces
Availability: At TAG Heuer boutiques and retailers starting November 2024
Price: CHF37,000
For more, visit tagheuer.com.
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