The new TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer

Since its launch in 1963, the TAG Heuer Carrera has been synonymous with speed, clarity, and performance on the racetrack. Jack Heuer designed it as a driver’s chronograph, stripped down to essentials with maximum legibility. Yet throughout its long life, the Carrera has never been a one-dimensional racetrack watch; it has adapted to aviation and yachting, and has adopted various styles. But if the Carrera’s history has long been about measuring seconds and elapsed times, moon phases were not absent from Heuer’s past. Vintage triple-calendar moon phase watches from the 1940s and 1950s hinted at another side of the brand. A more poetic facet, if you will, tied not to the racetrack but to the sky above, not forgetting the Seafarer, which in essence relied on a moon cycle complication for its tidal indications. With the new Carrera Astronomer, that heritage is reimagined in a very modern spirit.

The Astronomer stainless steel case is classic Carrera territory. The versatile 39mm case, which is water-resistant to 100 metres, has finely brushed and polished surfaces, sharp lugs and a domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating. 

The news is the moon phase display, which immediately draws attention as it occupies a good part of the dial space and looks quite unusual. Forget traditional moon phase apertures. The Astronomer introduces a rotating disc that shows seven lunar stages across the full 29.5-day cycle. Pointers on a recessed disc track daily movement, and the disc advances each night at 1:00 AM, staying in rhythm with the Earth´s satellite above. It’s a scientific and functional take on one of watchmaking’s oldest complications, executed with clarity and precision.

Three editions launch the series. The first, a model with a silver dial and black flange, frames the moon disc in monochrome contrast, emphasising legibility and purity. A second version, limited to 500 pieces, adds energy with turquoise Super-LumiNova accents on its silver dial and grey flange, bringing a modern, almost futuristic tone. The third, also limited to 500 pieces, introduces warmth through rose gold-plated indices, hands and flange. Paired with a steel bracelet, the central links are rose gold for a more luxurious feel. In each variant, applied numerals, polished hands and clear markings reinforce the Carrera’s reputation for readability.

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer is powered by the automatic Calibre 7, based on the Sellita SW385-1. Beating at 28,800 vibrations/hour, it provides a 56-hour power reserve and drives hours, minutes, seconds and the moon phase complication. The caseback, in steel, is engraved with a stylised observatory motif and TAG Heuer’s Victory Wreath emblem.

Each model comes fitted either on a seven-row steel bracelet, a steel and rose-gold version, or a supple grey leather strap, all closed by double folding clasps with safety pushers. Pricing is set at CHF 4,550 for the classic steel edition, CHF 4,350 for the turquoise-accented limited model, and CHF 6,900 for the rose gold two-tone version; all models are available from October 2025. More information at tagheuer.com.