TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma Unveiled With Lab-Grown Diamonds
5 min read
TAG Heuer, a Swiss luxury watchmaker, used lab-grown diamonds for the first time on a chronograph case, crown, dial, and indexes in 2022 thanks to their groundbreaking Diamant d'Avant-Garde technology. The aluminum bezel and bracelet of this year's exclusive timepiece are adorned with lab-grown diamonds in unique shapes to showcase the brand's cutting-edge CVD technology at Watches And Wonders 2023.
This iconic flagship collection was once again chosen to express TAG Heuer's enduring avant-garde spirit and commitment to innovation as the brand prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the TAG Heuer Carrera in 2023.
The Diamant d'Avant-Garde method breaks new ground in terms of creativity by challenging established norms. TAG Heuer customers and collectors can now acquire a timepiece that combines cutting-edge technology with audacious design and dazzling craftsmanship.
Featuring the same highly legible, uncluttered bicompax dial, facetted lugs, sporty elegance, reliability, and timeless spirit as the TAG Heuer Carrera, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma Diamant d'Avant-Garde Chronograph Tourbillon 44mmis a matte black chronograph that echoes the signature features of the TAG Heuer Carrera.
All of the diamonds on the case, bezel, and bracelet are lab-grown and come in a wide variety of unique shapes. The case measures 44 millimetres in diameter. There are 48 diamonds in the case, which add up to 4.3 carats; the bezel has 26 diamonds, for a total of 1.9 carats; and the bracelet has 34 diamonds, for a total of 1.9 carats.
The crown features a single 2.5-carat lab-grown diamond that was grown and cut to perfection. The diamond crown stands out as a bold functional jewel against the black DLC-coated steel chronograph pushers at two and six o'clock.
An eye-catching 4.9 carats, the dial is comprised of 12 diamonds and three polycrystalline diamond plates. One of the many innovative uses of CVD technology, the brilliant result is achieved by growing a large number of diamond crystals together, which also creates breathtaking reflections and light effects in a single diamond entity.
The 12 indexes on this distinctive dial are made of white gold and set with synthetic diamonds. The central hand is finely rhodium-plated, and the hours and minutes hands are rhodium-plated, with matte black lacquer and white Super- LumiNova® for maximum legibility. The two black polycrystalline diamond chronograph sub-counters for the minutes and hours are located at three and nine o'clock, respectively, and are brought to life by finely polished rhodium-plated hands.
The black aluminium bracelet with 34 modern diamonds weighing 1.9 carats is reminiscent of TAG Heuer's signature H-shaped link tapered bracelet found on the Carrera collection. A double-folding steel clasp with matte black safety push buttons secures the bracelet.
The new, impressive chronograph has a total of 15.5 carats worth of diamonds, with nearly every visible part set with Diamant d'Avant-Garde stones (124 diamonds in total). The lab-grown diamonds used in the TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma Diamant d'Avant-Garde are produced by a group of companies including Lusix and Diamaze that are experts in this new field of innovation.
The watch's Calibre Heuer 02 Tourbillon Nanograph movement is equally impressive. The COSC-approved chronograph movement was designed and built in-house, and it features a tourbillon visible through the dial at six o'clock. The TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma is equipped with a proprietary movement and a 65-hour power reserve. The TAG Heuer shield appears as the moving weight on this limited edition watch that has been given careful hand finishing.
