Introducing TAG Heuer Unveils A Sophisticated Trio Of Its 36mm Carrera Date Reimagined In Copper Tones

Last year marked a big year for TAG Heuer's Carrera Date, in that it was the year that this member of the brand's iconic (I think this overused term is relevant here) Carrera family underwent a downsizing. Calling back to the sizing of Jack Heuer's original 1963 Carrera, four colorful 36mm renditions joined the modern fleet of time and date models. Today, the brand debuts three new small-wrist-friendly 36mm Carrera Dates – and they're quite a bit more blinged-out than their predecessors.

The thematic throughline of this trio is an embracing of more clearly pronounced luxury. Whereas the original lineup of 36mm Carrera Dates featured quite loud experiments with dial color (hot pink, sea foam green, electric blue, etc.), the three new models feel a bit more mature and refined, relying on pops of warm coppery hues and a healthy dose of rose gold (18K 5N rose gold, to be exact).

To get into the specifics, this trio is comprised of two mother-of-pearl dial models with varying degrees of rose gold (the most opulent features a two-tone bracelet and diamond hour markers, and the tamer model is limited to only rose gold applied indices), and a model with a snail-brushed copper dial and a rose gold bezel and two-toned bracelet. Aesthetics aside, there is nothing revolutionary to note in terms of mechanics across this series – the movement used is the same automatic Caliber 7 introduced last year. 

It's always exciting to see pieces made with women in mind maintain an equal amount of technical sophistication as their larger-sized, traditionally masculine counterparts. 

While I would typically be more inclined to gravitate toward the diamond-smattered mother-of-pearl options (I think the one paired with the two-toned bracelet might be the winner), there's something charming about that copper dial model. It feels the most distinct in the trio, despite being the least blingy. Also, I get a bit of a kick out of the fact that a watch inspired by the speed of the racetrack would feature a snail-brushed dial. Ba-dum-tss. I would say this irony is something of a happy accident, rather than intentional.

Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Carrera Date
Reference: WBN2350.BD0000 (copper dial); WBN2351.BD0000 (mother-of-pearl dial with two-tone bracelet); WBN231C.BA0001 (mother-of-pearl dial on steel bracelet)
Diameter: 36mm
Thickness: 10.20mm
Case Material: Steel and 18K 5N Rose Gold
Dial Color: Copper; mother-of-pearl
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Steel and 18K 5N Rose Gold bracelet; steel bracelet

Caliber: TAG Heuer Calibre 7
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Winding: Automatic
Power Reserve: 56 hours
Frequency: 4 Hz
Jewels: 21
Chronometer Certified: No

Price: 4,850 CHF; 6,750 CHF; 4,700 CHF
Availability: June 2024
Limited Edition: No