TAG Heuer is set to launch a number of new models in 2013, mostly geared towards a milestone celebration of 50 years of Carrera.   For now, I wanted to highlight one piece that caught my eye — this new Carrera 1887 Racing watch, with a 43mm sand-blasted titanium case, black ceramic bezel, and gorgeous strap.

In fact this piece is part of a broader “tweaking” given to the Carrera Chronograph this year by TAG Heuer.  Essentially, TAG Heuer has morphed its popular 43mm Carrera Day-Date into a variety of new models, all of which are now powered by the brand’s in-house Caliber 1887 and which have a ceramic bezel.  The prior Carrera Day-Date had a simple steel bezel and ran on the TAG Heuer Calibre 16, otherwise known as an ETA 7750.   The other changes are subtle, save for one.  The new models are “date only” (vs. prior “day-date”).  As a result of this, TAG Heuer was able to reposition its logo (where the “date” window used to be).  In addition, a reference to the “100 meters” water resistance is also gone.  In combination, these changes actually tighten up the dial quite nicely.

The last change is a move from the 5-row bracelet (with the two thin, mirror polished strips) to the 3-row pattern bracelet found on the Grand Carrera series.  This is a welcome upgrade — if only they would carry it through to the other Carreras — I am not a big fan of that style of bracelet.  Of course this bracelet change does not apply to the Racing model shown above (but  how could I not mention it here!).

Jump on over to TAG Heuer’s website for a look at all of the new Carrera’s coming in 2013.