TAG Heuer made a splash at LVMH Watch Week 2024, showcasing its latest offerings amidst the departure of Frédéric Arnault from the luxury watch manufacturer.

Here’s what TAG Heuer brought to the table at LVMH Watch Week 2024 in line with Frédéric Arnault departure from the luxury watch manufacturer.

With Frédéric Arnault's departure from TAG Heuer to assume a larger role within the LVMH Group, there has been speculation about the brand's trajectory. Initially met with skepticism due to his age, Arnault ultimately proved his worth by spearheading a transformation within the manufacturer. His primary focus was on optimizing the performance of TAG Heuer's core models, notably the Carrera and Monaco lines, as well as revitalizing the Aquaracer collection, which had stagnated in previous years.

The influence of Arnault was evident in this year's releases at LVMH Watch Week, as the design and production timelines for watches typically span around 18 months. While there is anticipation surrounding what Julien Tornare, TAG Heuer's new leader, will bring to the brand, it's expected that Arnault's imprint will still be felt. His penchant for pushing the boundaries of conventional watchmaking and embracing avant-garde concepts aligns with TAG Heuer's ethos, as reflected in the brand's slogan.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph, featuring the updated Glassbox design introduced in 2023 and showcasing the iconic Dato configuration, is among the notable releases. Reminiscent of other reproductions like the TAG Heuer Carrera 60th Anniversary and Carrera Skipper, this year's version appeals to vintage Carrera enthusiasts. Following various experimental productions since the original Heuer Carrera's inception in 1963, the design was finalized in 1968, with the date window relocated to the nine o'clock position after a brief stint at twelve o'clock in 1966. The revival of this configuration, alongside a newly designed Glassbox and caliber, positions the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph for a promising year ahead. 

The choice of dial color for the reintroduction of the Dato configuration may raise eyebrows among those who prefer a more classic colorway, but TAG Heuer has a unique rationale behind it. The distinctive teal green dial first made its appearance in the 2021 TAG Heuer Carrera limited edition and reappeared in the 2023 TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph. Historically, this shade pays homage to motorsport history, specifically the vintage green hues of racing cars during the exciting era of national color racing from the 1920s to the 1960s. The selection of this color serves as a nod to TAG Heuer's racing heritage and the golden age of motorsports.

Another distinctive creation under Arnault's leadership is the polarizing TAG Heuer Carrera Date Plasma Diamant D'Avant-Garde. The initial launch of the TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma Diamant d'Avant-Garde Chronograph Tourbillon concept caused a stir in the watch community, particularly due to its use of synthetic diamonds and its high price point. Traditionally, the watch community has valued naturally occurring stones, with the sourcing and color-matching of precious stones being a meticulous process for gem-set pieces. Lab-grown diamonds offer a solution to these challenges with their consistent quality, but their adoption has been limited in the watchmaking industry, perhaps due to a nod to tradition. As pioneers of the avant-garde, TAG Heuer's exploration into this field may have raised a few eyebrows. However, their first piece served as an ideal test bed, showcasing irregularly shaped diamonds encrusted into the case and bracelet of the TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma Diamant d'Avant-Garde Chronograph Tourbillon, challenging the notion that diamonds must adhere to conventional cuts.

This year's TAG Heuer Carrera Date Plasma Diamant D'Avant-Garde adopts a more subdued approach compared to its pink predecessor from last year. At the core of this avant-garde timepiece is TAG Heuer's innovative Plasma technology, which facilitates the precise and controlled growth of lab-grown diamonds. In their purest form, diamonds are colorless due to the absence of defects in their atomic structure. To create yellow diamonds, TAG Heuer employs a process known as doping, where atoms from various elements are introduced to achieve the desired hue. TAG Heuer's Plasma technology excels in this regard, enabling controlled doping within a precisely regulated environment to produce high-quality lab-grown diamonds.

The centerpiece of this timepiece is a 2.9-carat polycrystalline dial housed within a 36mm white gold case. The dial is created by growing numerous diamond crystals together, resulting in a highly faceted single diamond entity that exudes an iridescent sparkle. Additionally, the dial features 12 white gold indexes adorned with white baguette-cut lab-grown diamonds totaling 0.5 carats, along with TAG Heuer's signature shield cut in yellow lab-grown diamond positioned atop the crystalline surface. However, the most eye-catching element is the diamond crown—a single 1.3-carat yellow lab-grown diamond that commands attention with its brilliance.

Sourced by Luxuo‍