It’s all about the machismo.

And we were just wondering why it had taken this long. Guaranteed to sex-up a watch, carbon has become a go-to material for brands seeking to add rugged athleticism and testosterone-laced panache to their sports range. In fact, TAG Heuer itself is privy to this, having also recently endowed the Aquaracer collection with some carbon-infused cachet. (Watch our 60-second review here.)

Now, the same material magic has been lavished on the legendary Carrera collection, which fans might say is probably the most iconic in TAG Heuer’s line-up. There are three options, including the Carrera Carbon Tourbillon Phantom, powered by COSC-certified Calibre Heuer 02T movement. But here, we are focusing on the two chronographs – one with red gold and another with blue accents, limited to 350 and 750 pieces, respectively.

Both watches dominate will dominate your wrist with their heft and presence. The 43mm cases are endowed with carbon bezels engraved with tachymeter scale – the core of this upgrade – and they frame openworked dials executed in a style similar to the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 Chronograph. (Watch our video review here.)

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The rose gold version is undoubtedly more eye-catching and regal with the lugs, sub-dials, hand and indexes in the said material. That said, the ‘blue’ version (named so for the hue on the hand on the central counted and 60-second sub-dial), is no slouch. If anything, the latter’s dark demeanour exudes mystery and power.

On the inside, the TAG Heuer Carrera Carbon chronograph runs on the Calibre Heuer 02, a column wheel-controlled automatic chronograph movement with 80 hours of power reserve. A little trivia about the movement: the Calibre Heuer 02 is based on a vintage Heuer movement from 1969, called the CH80. Introduced only recently, it is the same movement that powers the newly rejuvenated Autavia chronograph.

The Carrera’s history and evolution is tightly entwined with TAG Heuer’s – its 1963 conception is owed to none other than Jack Heuer, the founder’s great-grandson who designed the first model. Since then, the Carrera has manifested in all manner of references from value-for-money chronographs, to smartwatches and high-end tourbillons. Today, the Carrera Carbon adds another layer to the collection’s rich tapestry.

Case	43mm Black PVD stainless steel, carbon fixed bezel with tachymeter scale
Dial	Black dial with rose-gold- or rhodium-plated minute and hour counters
Movement	TAG Heuer Calibre Heuer 02 manufacture movement
Bracelet/Strap	Black rubber
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph
Power Reserve	80 hours
Price	S$10,850 (blue, limited to 750 pieces) S$30,350 (rose gold, limited to 350 pieces)