TAG Heuer Focuses on Caliber 1887, Delays Launch of Carrera CH80


TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre CH80 - movementIf you’re anticipating the release of the announced release of the new TAG Heuer Carrera CH80 chronograph, you will need to wait a bit longer. TAG Heuer has announced today it has decided to focus on the production of a single chronograph movement, Caliber CH1887, launched in 2010.

The result of this move is that TAG Heuer is postponing the launch of the Carrera CH80 chronograph — announced at Baselworld 2014 and covered in depth here by our colleagues at Monochrome Watches — even though the company has completed the development of the movement that powers it (called Caliber 1969 in its development stage). TAG Heuer refers to the new strategy as an “optimization of production,” which will allow for increased synergies in its production process, including the grouping of all movement manufacturing activities in TAG Heuer’s new facility in Chevenez, in the Swiss Jura, which opened in November 2013. The company says that its production staff will not be affected by the measure and will be redeployed to TAG Heuer’s three other industrial sites in Switzerland. TAG Heuer Caliber CH1887 — which was TAG Heuer’s first in-house-produced movement and won the brand a coveted “Petite Aiguille” prize at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix — will continue to be used in various Carrera watches. Consisting of 320 components and equipped with 39 jewels, it has an integrated column-wheel design and features a revamped version of the oscillating pinion that company founder Edouard Heuer invented and patented in 1887 (hence the movement’s alphanumeric name). This component functions as a clutch and enables the chronograph function to start up in 2/1000ths of a second. Calibre CH1887 measures 29.3 mm x 7.13 mm. For WatchTime’s test of the first watch to contain this movement, the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887, click here.

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre CH80 - movement
TAG Heuer Caliber CH80 is finished, but on hold.

 

TAG Heuer Caliber 1887
Exploded view of TAG Heuer Caliber 1887
TAG Heuer Carrera 1887
The TAG Heuer Carrera 1887, the first watch to contain Caliber 1887

 

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  1. The 1887 is horrible. Not only are the chrono and seconds sub-dials in a 6, 9 and 12 o’clock layout, but the date window is forced to the 6 o’clock position. The 3 o’clock position is left blank (well, it is occupied by the logo…).
    The Ch80 movement on the other hand makes for the perfect dial layout, and not to mention, has great power reserve.
    What is Heuer thinking??!?

    Reply
  2. Ayrton Salas

    Does anyone know how long it takes to build a Carrera 1887 from begining to end?

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  3. Dan Bebe

    I guess it’s good they’re sticking with Seiko movements until they can get their act together.

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  4. Fabio Anderaos

    Tag Heuer took a wise decision in postponing the lauching of the caliber Carrera CH80. Tag Heuer has lauching sucessive calibers and this commercial policy confuses the clients interested to buy a chronograph from Tag Heuer. “I should buy now (a Carrera with the caliber 1887) or wait for the caliber CH80 or other?” is perhaps the question among clients.
    Sao Paulo – Brazil

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