Close-Up: TAG Heuer Carrera with GMT and Big Date


The iconic TAG Heuer Carrera turned 50 in 2013, inspiring the brand to release a slew of new Carrera models at subsequent Baselworlds — most of them, like the original Carrera, chronographs. However, not to be overlooked is the non-chronograph version that debuted in the model’s 50th anniversary year: The Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT.

The watch combines two other popular complications: a large “grande date” in a hand-applied, beveled window at 12 o’clock; and a GMT (second time zone) indication, represented as an independent hours-and-minutes subdial at 6 o’clock. The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT resembles an earlier TAG Heuer watch, the Grand Carrera Calibre 8 RS, which contained the same base movement; the Grand Carrera included a module for the GMT function that used a rotating system (RS) rather than the more traditional subdial used here.

The case is 41 mm in diameter, water-resistant to 100 meters, and features brushed and polished surfaces and a thin, polished bezel. The curved, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is treated with nonreflective coating on both sides; another sapphire window in the caseback displays Calibre 8, an automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve, rapid date correction function, and a rotor decorated with côtes de Genève. The TAG Heuer Calibre 8 movement — which consists of an ETA 2892-A2 base and a Soprod TT651 module that powers both the big date and GMT displays — is also a COSC-certified chronometer.

Six versions of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT are available, all pictured below: dial options are black, silver and anthracite (the later two have a sunray pattern), each paired with either a matching-color alligator leather strap (except the silver dial, paired with a brown strap) or with the so-called Grand Carrera stainless steel bracelet, with three rows of links bearing alternating polished and brush-finished surfaces. The dials all have polished, hand-applied faceted indices and polished hour and minute hands, all with luminescent material, as well as a hand-applied TAG Heuer “shield” logo at 3 o’clock.

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT - black dial/strap
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT - black dial/bracelet
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT - silver dial/strap
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT - silver dial/bracelet
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT - anthracite dial/strap
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 8 Grande Date GMT - anthracite dial/bracelet

 This article was originally posted on July 21, 2013, and has been updated.

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  1. Why is the date so close to the center of the dial?
    I think it would look more balanced closer to the edge of the dial.
    Maybe there is some technical issue doing this with a module on top of a 2892 – my Limes Big Date (2892 base) has the same issue … however, I have a 10 year old Ulysse Nardin big date built on a 2892 where the big date is much further from the center of the dial.
    BTW, how much longer is ETA (Swatch Group) going to sell movements to Tag (LVMH). Is ETA selling any of their new generation movements to any outside watch brand?

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  2. Stephen

    It’s funny that’s the same movement in my Ebel Classic Hexagon, where there were complaints that the date is on a white background and dial is black. Obviously when Tag uses it it’s not a problem.

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