Hands-on TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic Chronograph Replica

Hands-on TAG Heuer Carrera x Fragment Design Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic Chronograph Replica

Following the launch of the minimalist Carrera model in 2018, TAG Heuer launched a new watch in 2020 that not only looks great, but is also likely to become a trailer for a new permanent racing style watch. TAG Heuer Carrera x Fragment Design Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic Chronograph replica CAZ201A.BA0641 is a contradictory table. This is not a reversion, nor a new design. It looks like Autavia, but in fact, it is part of the extended Formula One family.

DESIGN

Hiroshi Fujiwara is an internationally renowned Japanese streetwear designer, influencer, musician and founder of Fragment Design. He’s also a watch lover and has been working with TAG Heuer since 2018, to create special edition watches infused with its unique sense of design, mixing boldness and minimalism.

The first watch resulting from this collaboration was based on a Carrera, fitted with a minimalistic black dial and discreet connection with the brand Fragment. Not only the watch was stunning in terms of design, but it was also the base for the Silver and Montreal editions to come next. And for 2020, both brands are teaming up again and bring an unprecedented watch, which isn’t based on something existing yet in the permanent collection.

CASE

Certainly, this new TAG Heuer Carrera 44mm Chronograph replica will feel familiar to Heuer and TAG fans. Arguably, its shape and design are somehow close to both vintage watches or existing models. Yes, the mechanics inside the case aren’t new and have been used in multiple TAGs already. And yes, there’s an undeniable motorsport inspiration in this watch, and that’s not a surprise for a TAG Heuer. However… the combination of all these elements is not something we’ve seen before. This second TAG Heuer x Fragment Design watch replica is new and not just a different colour on an existing watch. That’s already quite interesting.

The base for this new TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Chronograph replica CAZ201A.BA0641 is named the “C-case”, a large and robust tonneau-shaped block of steel that easily refers to 1970s Autavia watches – specifically, the third generation ref. 1163. Indeed, we find here the typical pilot’s case with integrated lugs and highly raised bezel on top of the watch. Almost entirely brushed, the case, as some would have remarked, is also in line with the current Formula 1 watches, yet larger and built with more details (polished bevel on the side) but also more robustness… Maybe you can figure out what’ll be coming in the next month at TAG… This watch could easily become the top-tier extension of the F1 range.

The references to the Autavia or the Formula 1 don’t end there. The bezel’s insert, made of polished ceramic, includes a tachymeter scale with the same graduation (70-66-63) and deep notches as glorious 1970s racing models. The right side of the case features the crown, well-protected with guards, and recessed pushers for the chronograph. The screw-down crown and caseback allow for a comfortable 100m water-resistance.

DIAL

Fujiwara’s touch is particularly visible on the dial of this replica TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Chronograph, which has been treated in a very minimalistic way – which mostly comes down to the absence of applied hour markers, creating strong negative space on the dial. This bi-compax chronograph plays on monochromatic tone – black and white – only with red accents on the markers and hands. A discreet “Fragment” inscription is found between 4 and 5 o’clock, as well as the two brands’ logos at 12 o’clock.

There’s something really special to this dial, and even though simplistic and flat, it has a great personality. Legibility is also perfect in daylight, while slightly compromised during the night – only the hands feature SLN. 

The watch is delivered on a new 5-link steel bracelet, with polished and brushed surfaces. As a personal note, I could easily see this watch worn on a 1970s-inspired perforated black leather strap, just to reinforce its classic appeal – and to make it more comfortable too, as the case is quite large and heavy.

CASEBACK

The back of the watch offers two surprises. The first is the red sapphire caseback. It looks fantastic and should become a signature of the Fragment X TAG Heuer replica series. In fact, we wished that the Fragment Carrera had the same bright red treatment as a contrast to its sober, monochrome dial.

The second surprise is the movement- the first time that TAG Heuer has fitted the Heuer 02 movement to the Formula 1 case, but we’d guess not the last time, given the cost of engineering a new case/ movement combination. The choice of the Heuer 02 was an inspired one, as it would have been very easy to simply use the standard Calibre 16 movement- but what makes the Fragment Heuer 02 special is the number of changes- including the movement- that set this model apart from the rest of the Formula 1 range.

It’s also worth noting that this is the second TAG Heuer replica model using the Heuer 02 movement to have only two-registers. There is no 6 o’clock register with running seconds, as you’ll find on the Monaco and Carrera watches using the same movement.

BRACELET

The bespoke theme continued with the bracelet, with a unique design that is a modern twist on the vintage bracelet fitted to the Autavia and again a design that is only available on this watch. Like the new 2020 Monaco bracelet, this new bracelet reference BA0641 uses a butterfly clasp and has alternate polished and brushed links.

PRICE

The TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic Chronograph replica is a limited edition of 500 pieces and it is priced at CHF 6,000. More information, please visit our latest replica Tag Heuer watch listing, we are the largest and most reliable replica of luxury watches store, copy watches such as Rolex, Patek Phillippe, Panerai, Cartier, Hublot, IWC and more.

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