The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring arrives with the king of watch complications and a carbon hairspring.
Modell: CBU5091.FT6305
TAG Heuer has a long history of technical and material innovation and is one of the industry's greatest innovators. For more than 160 years, this avant-garde watchmaker has been pushing the boundaries of technology, including through the use of bold materials and pioneering technical solutions. The launch of the carbon hairspring marks the beginning of a new era in the dynamic world of TAG Heuer and luxury watches.
Throughout the 500-year history of watchmaking, several manufacturers and watchmakers have worked on perfecting the hairspring. A hairspring must contend with several factors that affect the accuracy of a watch in order to achieve the best performance. Among other things, magnetism, minor shocks, and thermal expansion are problems that must be solved and taken into account in every engineering solution. To eliminate the above-mentioned effects, several innovative solutions have emerged over the years in the field of materials, such as the use of silicon or titanium-based materials. These were all major advances in the fight against magnetism and vibrations.
Ten years of research and development at the TAG Heuer laboratory have resulted in the creation of a carbon hairspring that stands out from other solutions currently available on the market thanks to three key characteristics. Thanks to its carbon structure, it is completely resistant to magnetism and reduces or eliminates the destructive effects of vibrations that occur during everyday use. In terms of accuracy, the carbon hairspring has a significant advantage in that its lower weight results in lower inertia.
The brand has registered four patents for this technology, which was developed in its own laboratory and workshop. The carbon hairspring is now featured in the sporty Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport model.
The Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring is the most advanced model in the Carrera family and one of the most complicated timepieces ever released by TAG Heuer. The race-oriented series features a 44-millimeter forged carbon case housing the extremely sophisticated TH20-61 flying tourbillon mechanism.
The tourbillon is a rotating mechanism that holds the balance wheel and, in this case, the carbon hairspring in a cage to counteract the effects of gravity on the movement, thereby improving accuracy. Over time, the precision of this watchmaking complication has become achievable through other technical solutions, but it continues to enjoy great prestige due to the difficulty of its manufacture and development. On the other hand, the operation of the tourbillon complication is perhaps one of the most spectacular elements of the watch industry.
This watch features a new version of the tourbillon, which is designed to be more aesthetic than technical. This version was invented in the 1920s. While the traditional tourbillon is partially covered by a bridge, in the flying tourbillon, this bridge is removed for aesthetic reasons and the cage is attached from the back. Of course, for structural reasons, this can only be achieved through significant redesign or improvements in the use of materials. The window housing the flying tourbillon is located at 6 o'clock on the watch.
The TH2061 caliber also boasts a chronograph complication and, of course, is certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The chronometer's high power reserve of 65 hours is outstanding and, combined with the high energy requirements of the tourbillon, is extremely impressive.
The watch's forged carbon case is extremely durable and one of the best solutions available on the market. The watch is complemented by a screw-down case back made of grade 2 titanium alloy with a sapphire crystal insert, which also features the limited edition number. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters and is clad in carbon, which can be found everywhere except for the black rubber strap.
The dial is also made of carbon, which the manufacturer has made unique with a spiral engraving inspired by carbon hair springs. The carbon bezel, which harmonizes with the dial, also features a tachymeter scale, highlighting the watch's motorsport heritage. The two subdials on the dial are arranged as follows: the chronograph minute counter at 3 o'clock and the chronograph hour counter at 9 o'clock.
The carbon hairspring Carrera Tourbillon and its counterpart, the Monaco flyback chronograph, which you can read about in another of our presentations.
TAG Heuer designed this watch for those who want the best in every respect. The Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring is limited to 50 pieces, comes in special packaging and is individually numbered. This edition marks the first milestone in carbon hairspring technology specifically focused on collectors, ahead of its future market expansion.
