The Clone TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Dato stands out as the more innovative of the pair, featuring the contemporary 39mm wide “Glassbox” Carrera case in stainless steel. Since its debut in 2023, the “Glassbox” design has swiftly become the standard for modern Carrera models, its retro-futuristic bezel-less form setting a new benchmark. The angular lugs, reminiscent of classic Carrera style, blend seamlessly with the stout pump pushers and the striking bezel-less domed sapphire crystal, creating a captivating fusion of tradition and modernity. When worn, it exudes a timeless compactness while maintaining an airy, futuristic vibe, offering a balanced presence that complements wrists of various sizes. Like its contemporary counterparts, the Carrera Chronograph Dato features a sapphire display caseback and boasts a robust 100 meters of water resistance.
The highlight of the Fake TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Dato is undoubtedly its dial. While much of the design echoes the modern Carrera aesthetic – including the radially brushed dial surface, raised outer subdial scale, striped baton handset, contoured applied indices, and the iconic dune-shaped double-sided chapter ring – Clone TAG Heuer introduces new elements that reshape the overall experience on the wrist. The “one-eyed” single-subdial layout may initially divide enthusiast opinions, lacking the symmetry of standard Carrera chronographs. However, over time, its pared-back asymmetry exudes a jaunty and stylish charm, akin to a casually undone necktie or carefully tousled hair – a quality reminiscent of sprezzatura in fashion. In practical terms, its functionality remains unaffected; after all, how often does one truly require more than 30 minutes of recording time or a dedicated running seconds on a chronograph? The 9 o’clock date window, although deftly integrated among the hour indices, may stir debate within the watch community due to its traditional white date display. Yet, I contend that a teal green date display would disrupt the dial’s balance and distance the watch from its ‘60s Carrera Datos inspiration.
Speaking of the dial color, its rich, deeply charismatic blue-green hue, coupled with the radially brushed finish, exudes a modern yet classic appeal. On the wrist, it leans towards the greener spectrum of teal, reminiscent of Aston Martin’s blue-forward interpretation of British racing green. This hue adds a touch of both contemporary flair and timeless British sporting charm to the design, making it stand out among the broad spectrum of colors offered in recent Carrera models.
Powering the Carrera Chronograph Dato is Fake TAG Heuer’s in-house TH20-07 automatic chronograph movement. An evolution of the Heuer 02 platform, the TH20-07 features a one-register layout specifically tailored for the Carrera Chronograph Dato. With a robust 80-hour power reserve and 28,800 bph beat rate, alongside a column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph actuation system, its performance matches that of its stablemates. While the finishing of the TH20-07 is modern yet understated, featuring Côtes de Genève on the skeleton bridges and matte blasting on the balance cock, the layered TAG Heuer shield-shaped skeleton rotor adds a distinctive touch with its matte blasting and sharp vertical brushing.