If you’re anything like me, you haven’t been able to stop thinking about the new timepieces that made their debut at Watches and Wonders this year. From solar-powered TAG Heuer Formula 1s, to a 20th anniversary Hublot Big Bang, there’s truly so much to digest from this event, and many new releases to get excited for.
One of these exciting releases, or technically a ‘re-release’ is the TAG Heuer Day-Date Carrera. The Carrera watch was initially launched in 1963, and TAG Heuer have refreshed these watches for 2025. They retain the same sophistication and class as the original design, but with new design variations and upgraded features. In this article I’ll be discussing the TAG Heuer Day-Date Carrera in more detail, and why it’s a watch worth investing in.
A Legacy Spanning More Than 60 Years
The Carrera lineage dates back to the 1960s, originally named after the Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico, one of the most dangerous races in the world. The original Carrera was designed to be clean and legible for professional race car drivers, featuring a minimalist dial, chronograph function, and purposeful features.
While the early Carreras were chronographs only, the expansion into time-only and day-date models came decades later in the ‘80s and ‘90s, when the brand were looking to expand beyond professional racing circles. This meant that new features could be added, such as the full calendar function with both day and date at the 3 o’clock position, as they were no longer catering to drivers who needed the dial to be uncluttered at all times. Despite expanding into this broader audience, this watch has remained an essential for many of the biggest names in racing.
Engineering & Innovation
The new Carrera Day-Date certainly has some updated design refreshes, but for many the most significant change will be in the watch’s movement. Gone is the old Calibre 5, the movement with a 38-hour power reserve used in prior Carrera three-hand watches. In its place, TAG Heuer has introduced the TH31-02 manufacture movement, co-developed with AMT. This movement boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve – a significant improvement from the Calibre 5. In practical terms, that means you can take the Carrera off your wrist Friday night and still find it running Sunday evening.
If you’re someone who enjoys appreciating the fine craftsmanship that goes into watchmaking, then you’ll appreciate the transparent case back that allows you to see the inner workings of the TH31-02. This display back features a new engraved ‘Victory Wreath’ emblem, symbolic of the Carrera’s motorsport lineage. The screw-down clock at 3 o’clock, and 100m water resistance means that this Carrera can handle a swim or a rainy day, which is a welcome accompaniment to a watch that has a rather formal look. I think that the engineering of the Day-Date Carrera feels modern, convenient, and durable, marking it as a big step up from the earlier Day-Date models.
Model Lineup and Variations for 2025
At Watches and Wonders 2025, TAG Heuer launched five Day-Date watches, in addition to one new Twin-Time GMT. They all share the same 41mm steel case, but with slightly different colour and strap options. Here’s a breakdown:
- Black grained dial with day-date, on black calf leather strap with blue lining.
- Black opaline dial with day-date, on all-steel H-link bracelet.
- Black opaline dial with day-date, on two-tone steel and rose-gold bracelet.
- Blue sunray-brushed dial with day-date on steel bracelet.
- Smoky red gradient dial (from red to black) with day-date, on steel bracelet.
Each of these keeps the Carrera Day-Date layout – 3 hands plus a framed day and date window side by side at 3 o’clock, but each with unique colour and bracelet combinations. TAG Heuer also introduced the Carrera Twin-Time, which swaps the day-date for a GMT function with a striking teal dial. It uses the TH31-03 calibre and is identical in size. In my opinion, the watches in this collection include subtle colour inclusions to make them stand out, such as the red and blue dials, but they all maintain a clean-cut look that is essential for professional and formal occasions.
After seeing this watch at Watches and Wonders and now at our Lancaster store, I am genuinely impressed. It blends classic Carrera charm with modern mechanics, which ticks a lot of boxes for me. It is robust yet refined, and features like the 80-hour power reserve and impressive in-house movement mean that the Day-Date is a piece you can truly count on. There are style variations for different types of collectors, such as the two-tone model or the striking red gradient dial, not to mention the stunning teal shades seen in the Twin-Time. For anyone who, like me, loves motorsport-inspired elegance with solid reliability, the 2025 Carrera Day-Date is one to add to the wish list.
If you’d like to try on the models I’ve mentioned in this blog, please visit our Lancaster store, where our team of knowledgeable staff will be able to help you select a Carrera that’s perfect for you. Ready to make the Carrera Day-Date a part of your collection? Visit our website or contact us now.