TAG Heuer introduces the new Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee
It is a modern interpretation of a vintage Seafarer reference and debuts a new tide indicator chronograph movement. It is a limited edition of 968 pieces.
“A thoroughly modern Carrera, but updated for today’s adventures with the design ethos of one of Hodinkee’s very favorite and most notable vintage Heuer references. Maintaining the color codes and bezel aesthetic from the 1968 model, this collaboration thoroughly embraces the modern spirit of TAG Heuer.”
Hodinkee, the US based multi-channel online “leading destination for all things watches and horology,” collaborated with TAG Heuer to launch the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee. It is “designed as a revival of the iconic Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer, which Heuer produced for the sporting goods retailer from the 1950’s into the 1970’s.” It is Hodinkee’s third collaboration with TAG Heuer, the first two being the Carrera Skipper (in 2017, 125 pieces) and Carrera Dato (in 2021, 250 pieces.)
Left: TAG Heuer Limited Edition Carrera Skipper for Hodinkee. Right: TAG Heuer Limited Edition Carrera ‘Dato’ for Hodinkee. (Credit for both images: Hodinkee Shop website.)
“The Seafarer is a legendary watch with roots in the mid-century and is a reference that is reminiscent of a playful and sun-soaked era in watchmaking – one in which watches were being put to the test, worn hard, and often designed and used for specific pursuits. The Seafarer evokes images of the sea, the sand, and the sun and brings to mind the name Abercrombie & Fitch.”
Left: Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer, Second Execution, Ref. 346 (1950). Right: Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer, ref. 2446C (1968).
Heuer introduced the Reference 2446C Seafarer (above right image) in 1968. In celebration of that year, TAG Heuer and Hodinkee will produce 968 pieces of the TAG Heuer Carrara Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee.
Key Features
Functions
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee’s functions include:
– Central Hours and Minutes.
– Central Seconds / ¼ Seconds Chronograph hand.
– Tide Indicator counter at 9 o’clock.
– 30-minute Yacht Timer counter at 3 o’clock. It is “divided into yacht race intervals of five minutes each.” It can also be used as a conventional 30-minute chronograph counter to time any event.
– Small Seconds counter at 6 o’clock.
“The watch can be used to determine daily tidal periods and phases of the moon, as well as to time regattas or any timed event.”
Dial
The third image is of Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer, ref. 2446C (1968) next to the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee’s dial features include:
– It features a black opaline dial, which is inspired by the original 2446C Seafarer.
– Its hour and minute hands are made of polished steel, facetted and coated with white SuperLuminova®. White light during the day and green light at night.
– The central seconds / ¼ seconds chronograph hand is made of polished steel.
– The three subdials (tide indicator at 9 o’clock, 30-minute yacht timer counter at 3 o’clock, and small seconds counter at 6 o’clock) “feature a stunning combination of sky blue, silver and white, reminiscent of late vintage Seafarer executions.”
– Its 13 hour-markers (2 for 12 o’clock) applied on the dial, are made of polished steel, and coated with white SuperLuminova®. White light during the day and green light at night.
– It has a black opaline flange with 60 second / minute scale markers. The black-opaline inner bezel, facing outwards, is graduated to 60 seconds using Arabic numerals with 4 dots between each numeral.
– “CARRERA” and “TAG Heuer” are displayed at 12 o’clock.
– “SEAFARER” is displayed on outer edge of the 6 o’clock subdial and “SWISS” discreetly on the same subdial.
“Looking a bit closer, the Seafarer logo was relocated to the sub-register at 6, leveraging a Carrera font inspired by the late reference’s characterful blocky type. The brands kept the feeling of the late Reference 2446C Seafarer but made a conscious decision to look to the future of TAG Heuer with the present-day TAG Heuer and Carrera logos at 12 o’clock. Consistent with all models of the heritage Seafarer, the usual date window from the Carreras you see today was also removed, and the watch is fitted to a black textured rubber strap, making it for life at sea. This watch is truly the embodiment of everything to love about TAG Heuer – past and present.”
Case and Strap
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee’s case and strap features include:
– Its case is made of “finely-brushed satin” stainless steel.
– Its case diameter is 42 mm and case thickness is 14.40 mm.
– Its lug width is 22.10 mm and lug-to-lug distance is 48.60 mm.
– Its crown is at 3 o’clock, and the two chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock.
– The tide indicator pusher is at 9 o’clock.
– On its dial side, it features a glassbox domed sapphire crystal.
– On its caseback side, it features a sapphire crystal.
– It features both “TAG Heuer x Hodinkee” and each timepiece’s individual limited-edition number “XXX/968” on the caseback, in addition to typical timepiece information.
– It is water resistant up to 10 ATM or 100 metres.
– It comes with an integrated black colour rubber strap, featuring a textile pattern.
– It features a stainless steel folding clasp, fine brushed and polished, with double-safety push buttons and the TAG Heuer shield.
“The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee is a modern, robust, and exciting interpretation of a favorite Seafarer reference. The Hodinkee Limited Edition now resides in the 42mm Carrera “Glassbox” case. The domed sapphire crystal allows for the profile of a vintage plexiglass crystal while being significantly more durable and clearer – both critical factors while out on the water. True to the color codes of the original, the black opaline dial is accented by shades of both sky and royal blue across the Regatta and Tide subdials. As the Carrera is a bezel-less case, the watch has maintained the original’s aesthetic by moving the bezel inside the rehaut in a matching black opaline.”
Movement
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee’s movement features include:
– This timepiece debuts the TH20-13 In-House Tide Indicator Chronograph Caliber. It is “an evolution of the iconic Heuer 02 movement.”
– It features a vertical clutch, a column-wheel chronograph, unidirectional automatic winding, and a new shield-shaped automatic winding rotor.
– It powers the hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph functions (central ¼ seconds counter and 30-minute counter) and tide indicator.
– It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
– It has 31 jewels.
– It has a power reserve of 80 hours.
– It is visible via the sapphire caseback.
“TAG Heuer is one of Hodinkee’s first partners, and we don’t take that lightly,” said Jeff Hilliard, Sr. Director of Limited Editions at Hodinkee. “For our third Limited Edition collaboration with them, we wanted to do something special. But when we asked them to bring back the tide complication, we figured it was a longshot, since we knew there would be significant research and development that was involved. To our surprise, they agreed to the concept, and we are super excited to bring back a piece of TAG Heuer’s incredible history back to the forefront using the incredible glassbox chronograph.”
Our Thoughts
Hodinkee has made horology accessible to hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, ever since it was founded by Ben Clymer in 2008. I have purchased watch books and the Hodinkee Magazine from them and continue to do so. Their importance in the world of horology should not be underestimated. Timepiece brands know this, and hence partner with them for collaborations such as the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee.
TAG Heuer is going through a renaissance. At The Cornea Impression, we continue to cover their new timepiece launches and are thoroughly impressed. Whether it is their Monaco Split-Seconds “Rattrapante” Chronograph, the rebirth of the Formula 1 | Kith, and the Le Mans inspired Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963, among other launches, they are doing a terrific job.
Based on the images and supporting information, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee is a beautiful timepiece. It is a superb modern interpretation of the original Reference 2446C Seafarer of 1968. What makes it even more special is that it debuts a new movement, perhaps the first time ever in such a collaboration.
We cannot wait to see the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee in the flesh and do a hands-on review.
Additional Details
Name: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee
Reference: CBS2014.FT6293
Price: United States Dollars (USD): 7,950
Packaging: It comes in an exclusive black box, with TAG Heuer logo and lining in blue, and a travel pouch. (Image above.)
Availability: It is a limited edition of 968 pieces. Hodinkee in the Hodinkee Shop will sell 125 pieces. The remaining 843 pieces will be available at TAG Heuer boutiques and authorized retailers worldwide.
Please visit the Hodinkee and TAG Heuer websites for more information.
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