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CARBON AND CERAMICS - MODERN MATERIALS IN TAG HEUER WATCHES

In recent times Tag Heuer has given us many new watches made from materials that you do not often see. Materials like carbon have been used more frequently in their latest watch models they release which is great to see. Classic stainless-steel is a great material and we all know and love the silver tone colour and shine it gives off. However, for anyone looking for a different look, an all black or dusty grey look then you will need to have a look into a watch made from something else. With Tag Heuer making new watches from these materials we thought it would be a great time to have a look at what they’re doing and the advantages of this material.

TAG Heuer watch model Aquaracer Special Carbon edition calibre 5, beating 5, beating at 4Hz and based on a Sellita SW200 movement.

To start we need to see what these other materials are and why Tag Heuer uses them, carbon has incredibly high chemical and impact resistance. So, for watches designed to be worn in areas that may be exposed to abrasive chemicals or accidental dings and bangs whilst wearing them, carbon is your ideal material. The material is lighter than steel so it makes it very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time making it perfect for Formula 1 racing to aerospace and now, luxury watchmaking. Its unique texture and pattern ensure that no two carbon watches are exactly alike, giving each piece a distinct character. You can think of it like an individual painting, each one can be similar but it’s nice to know that yours is the only version of that.

Having just spoken about its ideal environment for a carbon watch being a racing driver, it should come as no surprise that Tag Heuer developed a Tag Heuer Monaco model made entirely from carbon. Now, this was not just Tag Heuer who developed this, it was in a partnership with Bamford. This model was released back in 2021 and it really reimagines the iconic square-cased Monaco with a case made entirely from lightweight carbon. The result is a watch that remains instantly recognizable while feeling exceptionally modern on the wrist. The classic stainless steel model can feel quite heavy on the wrist due to its large box case made from steel, but this is not the case with the carbon model. To top it all off, the wrist presence of this model is huge and it really stands out from the crowd.

Tag Heuer definitely saw how much of a hit this model was as they then went on to create an entire series of carbon models under the family of the Carrera. The Carrera Carbon models feature carbon fibre cases and dials, merging TAG Heuer’s racing heritage with contemporary design. These pieces not only exude visual intrigue due to their black and grey colour but also offer enhanced comfort thanks to the reduced weight. This meant that, for the watches they had made for so long but sometimes made it harder for people with smaller wrists to wear, could now enjoy the watch as it was not too heavy. This, combined with the black colour also gave the illusion the watches were smaller than they really were. Despite Tag Heuer making smaller watches at around 36 to 40 mm today in 2025, back in 2015 their watches could easily go up to 44 mm.

Their carbon watches do not stop there either, in 2017 Tag Heuer gave us the Connected Modular 45 with a carbon case. Even in the realm of smartwatches, Tag Heuer leverages the use of the material carbon which we have yet to see from other watch brands. The Connected Modular 45 with a carbon case brings high-tech innovation to your wrist with style and durability to match. For those who enjoy wearing your watch during sporting activities like running, tennis and many other activities but you wish to track all the health details possible then this watch would be an excellent choice. With weighing only 62.5 grams and the carbon being mega hard to scratch, it can cope with a marathon, a swim or even an iron man. Their Carbon Aquaracer is no different in that it is the perfect dive watch to endure heavy usage if having an automatic watch is important to you. The Rich black case and dial paired with yellow or light blue indices gives it that pop of colour to make the dial draw your eyes in.

PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THE ARTICLE

Rubber Strap for TAG HEUER AQUARACER PRO 200 SOLARGRAPH CARBON

20mm wide NATO Single Pass Rubber Strap for Tag Heuer®

Tag Heuer Aquaracer pro 200 Solargraph Carbon on red Rubber strap

Carbon is a brilliant material for watches to be made from and it is truly great to see Tag Heuer moving in the general direction of making classic watches whilst creating a few with new materials. Carbon offers a complete unique look and to top it off, ZEALANDE has created the best luxury rubber watch strap on the market to compliment your carbon Tag Heuer. Whether you are looking for a current end strap to perfectly suit your watch case or a straight end rubber strap, ZEALANDE has all your options covered. Not only that, but you can also opt for a black PVD buckle to match the black case of your watch which makes for a very clean and complete aesthetic.

And there you have it, a nice little overview of a great material, carbon, used by Tag Heuer to enhance their watches and give us that bit more of a selection to choose from. Whether you like the material because of its properties or because of its dark and unique looks, carbon really is a fantastic choice to wear. What will be interesting to see is whether other watch brands slowly introduce the material to their collections too, but for now, Tag Heuer have got a great few models for us to choose from and they all pair beautifully with a ZEALANDE strap on them!

James Talbot