Think luxury watchmakers and there’s a good chance TAG Heuer will feature in your top 10. That’s not a coincidence: they’re one of the world’s most prominent and successful watch brands.
The Swiss company has been making luxurious timepieces since 1860, although it wasn’t until 1985 and a takeover by the TAG Group that TAG Heuer found its current name. For its first 125 years, it was simply known as Heuer.
Founded in St-Imier, Switzerland by Edouard Heuer, Heuer (or technically Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG), TAG Heuer is famous for its chronographs. The watchmaker patented its first chronograph timepiece in 1882, followed by another patent, this time for an “oscillating pinion” in 1887. The first chronograph watch to roll out of Heuer’s factory arrived in 1914 although because it was adapted from a pocket-watch chronograph, the crown was found at 12 o’clock.
Edouard’s son was responsible for developing the first stopwatch accurate to 1/100 of a second, called the Mikrograph. The Autavia name arrived in 1933 as a dashboard timer for automobiles and aviation (AUTomobile and AVIAtion).
WATCH TAG Heuer’s cheeky short film starring Ryan Gosling, The Chase For Carrera, below.
Heuer watches found a particular affinity with racing drivers, who valued their stopwatch functions. As a result, Heuer began producing special versions of its timepieces specifically for individual race teams. After a secret collaboration with Breitling and Hamilton in the 1960s to develop automatic chronographs, Heuer released the Autavia, Carrera and Monaco models with automatic chronograph movements.
TAG isn’t just a chronograph brand, though. Not only do they have a long history of making capable dive and dress watches, but they are perhaps most notable today as being one of the first luxury watchmakers to get into the world of smartwatches – releasing their now best-selling Connected back in 2016.
TAG Heuer also boasts one of the most stacked brand ambassador lineups in the watch industry, with actors like Ryan Gosling, Patrick Dempsey and Jacob Elordi plus athletes like Max Verstappen, Naomi Osaka and Kai Lenny all wearing TAG Heuer watches.
Some of TAG Heuer’s watches have gained legendary status among the watch community so choosing a shortlist of the best has been no easy task. Regardless, we’ve risen to the occasion to bring you the must-own TAG Heuer timepieces.
In this best TAG Heuer watches article…
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox
Reference Number: CBS2210.FC6534
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $9,350 AUD
The Carrera was introduced in 1964 to commemorate the Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico. At the time, it was the first chronograph designed specifically to measure times in car racing. These days, the Carrera collection is TAG’s most popular and diverse watch family.
This 39mm retro-inspired take on the Carrera formula melds 70s design elements (like its eponymous, highly domed ‘glass box’ crystal) with modern finishing techniques and a thoroughly modern movement, TAG Heuer’s new TH20-00 calibre.
READ MORE: TAG Heuer Reveals Radical Carrera Update With Cool ‘Glassbox’ Design
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300
Reference Number: WBP208B.BF0631
Case Material: Titanium
Price: $6,250 AUD
The Aquaracer’s legacy began with the Heuer ref. 844, a dive watch released in 1978 that inarguably set the standard for reliable dive watches and was adopted by professional and recreational divers all over the world. In 2023, the Aquaracer collection is similarly split between more casual watches and tougher dive watches, of which this Aquaracer Professional 300 is certainly the latter.
Crafted from sandblasted grade 2 titanium and boasting 300m of water resistance – as well as an eye-catching sunray green dial and bezel – this is one on-trend dive watch that’s a cut above the competition.
READ MORE: TAG Heuer Make A Splash With New Aquaracer Collection At Watches & Wonders
TAG Heuer Monaco
Reference Number: CBL2111.BA0644
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $11,000 AUD
First introduced in 1969 in honour of the Monaco Grand Prix, the Heuer Monaco was the world’s first square-cased automatic chronograph and was an immediate hit among watch fans. Its popularity only intensified after Steve McQueen wore one in the 1971 film Le Mans.
The modern TAG Heuer Monaco features octagonal chrono pushers; a thick, faceted sapphire crystal and is powered by TAG’s workhorse in-house Heuer 02 movement, which promises an 80h power reserve.
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4
Reference Number: SBR8010.BT6255
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $2,600 AUD
TAG Heuer got into the high-end smartwatch game early back in 2016 with their innovative Connected watch: an elegantly-executed design that has quickly become one of the brand’s best-selling products. TAG has actively improved and iterated on the Connected over the years, introducing new in-house apps as well as making it a doddle to customise, from different digital watch faces to a wide range of straps.
The current Calibre E4 family features two different case sizes, a 45mm and a 42mm model, the latter of which we’ve featured here. The 42mm model features a wafer-thin bezel (with the bezel scale hidden underneath the crystal) and a slightly rounder, thinner case – yet boasts all the capabilities of its bigger siblings.
READ MORE: TAG Heuer’s Latest Connected Smart Watch Is A Game-Changer
TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper
Reference Number: CBS2213.FN6002
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $9,800 AUD
Based on the Carrera Glassbox, the TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper is a revival of one of the brand’s most underrated tool watches: the yachting-focused Skipper.
Mechanically identical to the Carrera Glassbox, the Carrera Skipper boasts a green, orange and teal 15-minute count-down indicator at 9 o’clock; a teal hour indicator at 9 o’clock, which is printed with a ‘SKIPPER’ designation, and comes mounted on a unique woven fabric strap. Preppy, retro and brimming with yachting heritage, the Carrera Skipper is a fun twist on a classic.
READ MORE: TAG Heuer’s New Carrera Skipper Is A Colourful, Preppy Take On A Classic Watch
TAG Heuer Formula 1
Reference Number: CAZ101AM.FT8054
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $2,750 AUD
The Formula 1 was the first model to be released following TAG’s acquisition of Heuer in 1986 and became the first quartz-only model the company made. Since then, the company has relaxed its rule and also offers Formula 1 watches with a range of automatic movements. This model’s a quartz one, though.
Featuring a bold yellow colour scheme and a black PVD bezel, this piece is a fun tribute to the playful TAG Heuer Formula 1 models from the 80s and 90s as well as the flamboyant character of the motorsport that lends it its name. It’s also a highly affordable entry point into the world of TAG.
TAG Heuer Carrera 3 Hands
Reference Number: WBN2111.BA0639
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $4,600 AUD
A dresser, non-chronograph take on the Carrera, this Carrera 3 Hands with its silver sunray dial and clean, symmetrical looks is an exceptionally versatile daily wearer that won’t break the bank.
It also happens to be the watch of choice for Ryan Gosling’s Court Gentry (a.k.a. Sierra Six a.k.a. the eponymous character) in The Gray Man, Netflix’s blockbuster spy thriller. Now you know.
READ MORE: The Gray Man Reveals A Timeless Truth About Watches & Spies
TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition
Reference Number: SBR8A81.EB0251
Case Material: Titanium
Price: $4,000 AUD
The Connected Calibre E4 is already the ultimate fitness watch but the Golf Edition adds amazing golf features into the mix. For example, it can automatically detect golf swings to allow users to track their performance in the app without having to activate the function by hand – so you don’t have to remember to track your drive – and can track hazards and distances on 40,000 golf courses around the world.
It’s immediately recognisable thanks to its white and green colour scheme as well as its cool dimpled strap, which has an integrated magnetic golf ball marker. Filled with features, it’s the ultimate watch for a golf enthusiast.
READ MORE: Boost Your Golf Game With TAG Heuer’s Newest Smartwatch
TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton Dial
Reference Number: CBL2184.FT6236
Case Material: Titanium
Price: $16,300 AUD
A more radical and even more motorsports-inspired take on the Monaco, the Monaco Skeleton Dial is a proper statement piece for only the boldest watch fans. That’s why we like it so much.
This model features an openworked dial which exposes the Monaco’s Calibre Heuer 02 movement for tons of visual flair, while a black PVD case and hybrid leather, rubber and textile strap further distinguish this Monaco from the rest of the pack, and makes this TAG Heuer feel like a supercar for your wrist.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver
Reference Number: WBP5A8A.BF0619
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $9,650 AUD
To round off our list, we thought we’d share a proper deep-sea watch. Super by name and super by nature, the Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver is easily differentiated from other Aquaracers thanks to its 1,000m water resistance, its clever dynamic crown guard, contrasting chapter ring and its chunkier, arrow-tipped hour hand, just to name a few features.
Despite all this – and its 45mm case size – it’s actually a deceptively wearable watch. Many hardcore dive watches are unwieldy things, but you could actually get away with wearing the Superdiver casually. It also represents exceptional value for a deep-sea diver, coming in at under $10k.