I wouldn’t go so far as to say I don’t like green watches. That’s just not true. I would definitely wear them around the house, although I would think twice about wearing a rat. I will say that the current green replica watch trend is out of control, as documented in a great article by Cole in Watch and Wonder magazine. But at this point, what’s one more person? On its own merits, the watch you see here is very lovely. It deserves to stand out from this group.
This morning, TAG Heuer released the new Carrera Green Special Edition. It’s a vintage-inspired, limited edition teal timepiece paying homage to the brand’s chronograph-making heritage. This comes just one month after TAG launched a distinguished green watch: The Monaco Green Dial-in celebration of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.
You might realize the case design here because it’s one we’ve seen the brand use a lot with its Heuer Carrera vintage-inspired pieces. The HODINKEE Skipper LE (which sold at Phillips over the weekend) used this same case. It is 39mm in diameter with polished surfaces, a thin bezel, and 100m of water resistance.
A direct nod to the vintage TAG Heuer 2447, this replica Rolex watch shares much of its style, including a domed sapphire crystal. To add to the vintage effect, antiquing has been used on the tasseled figure and hands. The tassel pattern is used above each vintage-like polished hour marker.
Interestingly, while there is no vintage green TAG Heuer Carrera, the teal hue gives it a medieval feel. It looks like the kind of watch you might find in a box, collecting dust in a basement – like the original emerald green faded to a cooler shade than the original.
All of which means that despite being the latest addition to the green watch race, this particular watch feels more meaningful – and more thoughtful. The TAG Heuer Carrera collection has no shortage of history and heritage, and the Green Special Edition is able to combine it with modern watchmaking and finishing.
Inside the fake Rolex watch is the TAG Heuer Calibre Heuer 02 automatic manufacture movement, which can be seen through the display case back. It is a column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph with an 80-hour power reserve. The rotor is blacked out on the back and the teal text matches the dial aesthetic. The new TAG Heuer Carrera Green Special Edition is limited to 500 pieces and comes with an alligator strap – but unlike the typical green alligator, this one is black.