WT_2010_01: TEST: TAG HEUER GRAND CARRERA CALIBRE 36 ...

TEST
TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS
edges, and côtes de Genève finishing. The date at 4:30 is recessed
because its disk lies beneath the rotating system.
The caliper scale at the edge of the dial consists of three
curved steel bars; they provide a balanced effect, even though
two of them have no function. This could have been avoided by
using a triple vernier scale. Wearers will find that the crown at
10 o’clock is inconveniently placed; a triple vernier scale would
have meant turning the crown as little as possible.
The unusual design of the watch unifies sport and technology.
Still, there are some features that bear scrutiny. The placement
of the red marker on the minute counter, for example,
makes no sense. It is crooked, offset from the usual horizontal
position by one marker. Also, because they are the same color,
the hands are difficult to distinguish from the dial bridges and
are highly reflective under strong light. All the hands are somewhat
too short and don't reach the corresponding tracks. Plus,
the triangle on the vernier scale doesn’t reach the seconds hand.
The disk displays for the chronograph minute and hour,
while quite unusual, are difficult to read; one problem is that the
numerals are quite small. The linear running seconds indicator
at 9 o’clock has no detailed track. Instead, a disk with printed
graduation marks moves behind a cutout in the dial. For design
reasons, the beginning of the track as well as some of the rotating
hash marks are red. It looks as if they have something to do
with the chronograph function, which also has red indicators,
but they do not. The watch’s legibility is below average.
Aside from the additional crown being hard to reach and
the lack of a hack mechanism, operation is easy — the ridged
chronograph pushers work smoothly and the fluted screwed
The clasp can be adjusted to any
length along the rubber strap.
80 WatchTime February 2010
crown locks cleanly in its positions. The watch feels good on
the wrist thanks to the snugly fitting case and the suppleness of
the ventilated rubber strap. The imbalance of the heavy case
and the very thin strap is a distraction, however, as are the two
sharp edges on the inner side of the clasp. Otherwise, the highquality
rubber strap and the carefully constructed simple folding
clasp and the adjustable strap adjustment leave nothing to
be desired. The strap has rounded edges to make it simpler to
thread into the elegant clasp. The closure itself is constructed
of a solid piece of stainless steel and bears a relief of the brand
logo. It closes reliably. The solid stainless steel elements with
engraved TAG Heuer name, attached to the ends of the strap
with two large-headed screws, are a visual bonus. This creates
a virtually seamless connection with the case even though the
strap is fastened with conventional spring bars. It’s only unfortunate
that the rounded edges of the steel strap ends do not
follow the curvature of the lugs as this creates an edge that collects
dust.
What is true for the strap is true for the rest of the watch.
The Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS Caliper Chronograph is complex
in both its design and finishes, though some details need
improvement. The $7,900 price is justified by the high quality of
all its components, not to mention the beautiful and precise
movement within. In fact, Zenith watches with the El Primero
caliber cost significantly more.
Anyone who can live without a hack mechanism, and is prepared
to put a bit more effort into reading the time, will find unlimited
pleasure with this striking sports watch and its exciting
additional functions. �