The result is a classic-looking 'bi-compax' chronograph dial with two subdials on the face and a 30-minute chronograph mechanism. The movement inside of the Carrera Calibre 18 Chronograph is the TAG Heuer-named Calibre 18, an automatic mechanical movement produced using a base Swiss Sellita SW300 with a Swiss Dubois-Depraz chronograph module over it. Part of the reason was cost and production consolidation at TAG Heuer, as well as the availability of movements from suppliers such as ETA and Sellita - which reduced TAG Heuer's need to produce movements in-house. Those watches (and movements) would never be produced for retail consumption - at least, not for the time being. I previewed the would-be watches that would contain the movement with a hands-on look at the TAG Heuer Carrera CH 80 timepieces here in 2014. Last year held some unfortunate news for TAG Heuer fans when the brand announced that it was temporarily halting production of their new in-house mechanical chronograph movement known as the Caliber CH 80. For many, it will serves as the most classic, back-to-the-basics Carrera watch in a long time. With that said, this Carrera watch is a product that the new CEO has green-lighted. The product development cycle takes a bit longer, and the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 18 Chronograph was more than likely planned a bit longer ago. One important thing to understand is that the Carrera Calibre 18 Chronograph is not likely a direct product of Jean-Claude Biver's new mandates for the brand.

So what about this new-for-2015 TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 18 Chronograph - whose design is meant to echo some of the more original Carrera watches from the 1960s. TAG Heuer is further part of the LVMH Group that has sufficient luxury watch options at higher price points with brands such as Hublot, Zenith, and Bulgari. According to Jean-Claude Biver, much of this up-market leaning TAG Heuer will be a thing of the past, as the brand will now focus on its key strengths as a higher volume luxury watch maker offering classic and cool sport watches in the $1,000 - $3,000 range.

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