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Tag Heuer Mikrogirder 2000 5/10,000th Of A Second Chronograph Watch Hands-On

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:06:35 +0000

I caught up with Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Christophe Babin to discuss their newest and most precise chronograph watch ever, the Mikrogirder 2000. You might have realized that each 8 months or so Tag Heuer seems to be coming out with a new super chronograph that apparently defies the laws of physics and horology. The ever-charming CEO is a cool guy and has lots of street cred with me for knowing, in pretty intimate detail, the science behind the watch and what Guy Semon's team at Tag Heuer needed to overcome to make the bloody 5/10,000th of a second chronograph work.

"We are reaching the mechanical limits of how precise a chronograph using traditional techniques can be." Jean-Christophe is basically saying that there isn't going to be much more beyond the Mikrogirder in terms of precision. If you want to get crazy precise you go electronic he admits. He likens the issue to plane engines using a propeller and then jet engines. There is just so fast a prop can go before you no longer have the power or structural integrity to turn it. Jets are great for distance but for short intervals they just require too much power. The Mikrogirder itself pushes the limit of technology with an incredibly high frequency chronograph that has only 4 minutes of power reserve. The time telling part of the watch has more of course as it relies on a more traditional system to power it.

"It makes no sense to produce a chronograph with a power reserve of 20 seconds," in his opinion. I agree. The Mikrotimer from last year was a big achievement for being able to measure 1/1000th of a second. The central seconds hand flew around like crazy needle and the world marveled at the technology. Mr. Babin was wearing one on the opposite wrist of the Mikrogirder. He personally tests these watches on a daily basis. The watches are then sent to the lab for analysis to see how they hold up. The wear and tear on a machine when an escapement moves so fast is intense and must be engineered really specifically.

The Mikrotimer was never supposed to be a commercial product. Babin mentioned that Tag Heuer actually produced and sold 11 of them. If the Tag Heuer Mikrograph before it (1/50th of a second) cost $50,000 - I can't imagine what the 11 Mikrotimers sold for (I hear it was 65,000 Euros each actually). There are no plans for a commercial Mikrogirder, but it could easily happen as a special limited set for select customers. It is a cool item of interest for those who can appreciate this precise timepiece toy. Playing with it is undoubtedly fun. Mr. Babin was showing it to VIP Tag Heuer retailers and constantly winding the crown as the power reserve is so short. It is a novelty through and though - just one with a lot of R&D behind it.

The large watch has a slick look to it and a bullhead style layout with the crown and pushers on top. The case is likely finely machined steel, with an evolved look based on the watches that came before it. The rapid development of such timepieces likely hints to future Tag Heuer watch designs of models we have yet to see. Tag Heuer's bread and butter is lower-end entry level luxury watches but their high-end watches have caused quite a stir over the last few years. The first of which was the famous Monaco V4.

On the wrist the Mikrogirder is big but fun looking. The dial is deceptively simple given what it does. Reading it is another story as it requires some math. Seriously. Mr. Babin himself explains it in the video that I recommend you watch to see this little guy in fast action. The mechanical automatic movement tells the time and has a chronograph that measures 5/10,000 of a second. The chronograph operates at 1000 hertz. A standard mechanical watch operates at 4 hertz. Quartz watches are in a different territory of speed, but we are talking machines here, not electronics.

To measure the intensely quick speeds the chronograph needed to ditch the traditional balance spring escapement system. The new system is more like a violin. Yea. String instruments work because strings move at specific frequencies. The size of the string and speed of the movement determines the sounds. A violin works because one string caresses another to create a vibration. The same system is used in the Mikrogirder, but Tag Heuer uses metal "blades." They are seen through an opening in the dial and can be viewed vibrating quickly when the chronograph is in operation. I don't claim to fully understand the system, but it works. The blade vibrates at 7.2 million times per an hour. Pretty wild if you ask me, and it takes some serious creativity to develop this system. Ironically enough it is a principle that has been studied and around since the 18th century. Mr. Babin was keen to share that this new machine is really based on modern implementations of historic technology.

Reading the chronograph is tough and it doesn't measure very much time. You can listen to the video for more explanation as I like how Tag Heuer's CEO explains it best. To sum up how much time you have measured requires adding up information from the central "flying" 5/10,000th of a second hand and the other two subsidiary dials. I get that while the Mikrotimer has "1000" at 12 o'clock on the dial it makes sense for this model to have "2000," but I still don't get the reason for "2000" aside from it being more than 1000.

While there is likely an engineering reason I don't understand the name "Mikrogirder." Maybe they call the metal blades "girders," but not once did anyone I spoke to at Tag Heuer actually say "girder" outside of "Mikrogirder." The new Tag Heuer bronze colored logo on the dial is quite attractive. I like that it does have its own personality to it and that it is not just a hobby watch for the brand. The tiled dial and overall design does however remind me of the legendary Seiko Spring Drive Izul. I don't think that was an accident and Seiko and Tag Heuer have a nice relationship.

I would love to wear a watch like this and measure silly little things like people sneezing or how long it takes for me to actually respond with my fingers to starting and stopping stuff. When it comes down to it all of this super precise measuring is made limp by the response time it takes for mental decisions to translate into manual actions. Make a chronograph that is mind controlled and then you are talking cool stuff.

You can't help but applaud with eager hands how interesting this technology is. Tag Heuer didn't do it for profit but rather for fun and branding. It makes all of their stuff look good and maybe, just maybe some of this technology will make it into mainstream watches in the future. For the time being it is enough for me that Tag Heuer's CEO spends at least some of his time talking shop with the R&D team and not going over international sales figures and operational expenses. Thanks for keeping it interesting Tag.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heuer Carrera Ring-Master Limited Edition Watches

admin — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 07:08:11 +0000

Japan is one of the best places to buy a Tag Heuer timepiece. Not only do Japanese people think Tag Heuer watches kick-ass, but Tag Heuer is constantly releasing special limited edition watches exclusively for the Japanese market. The weird part is that many of them would do totally well outside of the Japanese market. I need to know exactly what the special relationship is between Tag Heuer's Japanese rep and Mr. Babin (the CEO)!

This limited edition collection is based on the popular Carrera model which is big all over the world - only this time with a choice of slick colored flange rings. The are called the Carrera Limited Edition Ring-Master watches (ring-master sounds more like a circus term than it does a racing term). Each of the three models is dedicated to a Formula 1 driver (though almost covertly). The most limited of the trio will be the red-ringed model that is in honor of Alain Prost. This model will be limited to 350 pieces as opposed to the 500 pieces (each) for the blue and yellow models. I also hear that Alain Prost is reuniting with Tag Heuer for some special relationship, possibly an ambassadorship and/or some special watches.

Two other drivers are also done service. The well known Jenson Button as well as Lewis Hamilton. Button's piece is done with a blue ring and Hamilton gets a sweet looking yellow ring. I think Tag Heuer make a typo when writing Jenson's last name on their little graphic. I will assume it is spelled correctly in Japanese! See what Tag Heuer did with the name of the watches - because they are called the "ring master" there is a special ring around the dials.

If the image I have of the rear of this Carrera limited edition is correct - then there are no special markings to indicate that these watches are limited, and if so, for whom. If that is the case then it is certainly an oddity - which would make these pieces potentially more collectible in the future. Aside from the rings and the limited edition nature, these are the standard Carrera chronograph models you know and love in steel with a steel bracelet.

Inside of the watches is the Tag Heuer Calibre 16 - which is their decorated version of the Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph. While not extraordinarily different than the standard models, the colorful rings around the dial are fun and attractive, while the limited nature being only officially available in Japan offers a fun intrigue to the collection. Price of each is 420,000 Yen (which is about $5,485 as of the time of writing).

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heuer Monaco Automatic Sixty Nine Watch Available On James List

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 07:08:48 +0000

In 2011 this watch is really cool. In 2003 when this watch first came out... it was really cool. This is the Tag Heuer Monaco Automatic Sixty Nine. It was like a futuristic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso as Tag Heuer transformed the Monaco case into something that flipped around. It does this while the watch is still on your wrist - which is probably the best part.

The case is about 42mm wide in steel (and there are a lot of pushers on it). It is also 18mm thick - which is a bit on the hefty side, but the watch does have two sides which means that an 18mm thickness is excusable. Essentially the watch is analog one side and digital on the other.

The analog size is simple and easy to read. Just the time with a subsidiary seconds dials - and it is super elegant. Really love this dial for combining what I like about the Monaco dial, Tag Heuer sportiness, and attention to function that I appreciate in the brand. This side is powered by a mechanical movement which is cool. The down side is that it has a manually-wound movement (Tag Heuer Calibre 2). I get that Tag Heuer used this because an automatic would have likely been too thick, but I still yearn for this to have an automatic movement in it.

Flip the watch over and you get a digital movement. Digital in that Tag Heuer style that they made popular in the early 2000s with the Microtimer all digital watch. The digital side is slick looking and clearly powered by a quartz movement. It has another time zone, 1/1000 of a second chronograph (with all the fancy functions), perpetual calendar, alarm, and backlight. You know me, I love functionality, I love gadgets, and I love options. I also like all those things contained in a nice looking non-nerdy package. That is why I loved the Chopard Monaco Historique Time Attack MF, and that is why I am fond of the Tag Heuer Monaco Automatic Sixty Nine watch as well. Price was about $7,000 brand new, and under $5,000 when you can find them today. Check out one of these Tag Heuer Monaco Automatic Sixty Nine watches available on James List here.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heuer Link Smart Phone – Exclusive Debut

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:47:23 +0000

No, it isn't a watch but it does tell the time - this is the exclusive debut of the Link Smart Phone with pictures and details. It started with the Meridiist luxury phone in 2008 and now comes the Link Smart Phone - the second major mobile phone from Tag Heuer. It will run Android and be tough as nails according to Tag Heuer. One major complaint many people have about super high-end phones (aside from the obvious complaints) is that they are no more, or less durable that normal phones. Drop many of them and bye-bye to telecom investment.

If I am to spend $5,000 and up on a cell phone, I want to know that it will survive drops, disasters, and the train crash from Super 8. Tag Heuer goes into great detail discussing how it is water-tight, fully air-sealed, shock-resistant, and used some type of a hard material over the screen called Gorilla Glass (is that related to Gorilla Glue?). I don't know precisely what the phone will put up with... but at least it puts up with a bit of abuse.

The case itself can be had in steel, 18k rose gold, and titanium. Trim includes rubber, alligator, leather, and other materials. Link Tag Heuer timepieces, the Link Smart Phone has a crown on the side of it. I am not sure what it is used for, but it might be part of the port above it that houses the charging port, SIM card, and memory card.

Most luxury phones are pretty limited in terms of their functionality, but Tag Heuer really wanted to make sure that the Link offered the experience more demanding clientele would want - so being an Android powered device is a good idea. While it does ship with the older Android 2.2, that will likely be upgraded down the line. On top of the base OS, Tag Heuer is said to throw in a bunch of goodies that will be anything from special ring tones to pictures, and so forth. Internal memory is scant at 256 megs, but the memory card that is included has 8 gigs. With the iPhone setting a lot of bars, I cant see how high-end phones don't have at least 16-32 gigs of storage, but that is another discussion.

I do have to say that the Link does look very chic and good looking. Tag Heuer knows how to pull on my geek heartstrings with that very cool promo video. I'd be more than happy to tote around the black and gold model. Though it is going to cost more that the starting price of 4,700 Euros.

The full details from Tag Heuer:

Unlike anything else on the luxury market, the TAG Heuer LINK is a high-performance machine of unprecedented functionality. Extreme reliability and robustness are guaranteed through a battery of quality tests well exceeding industry standards.
Stand out features include lightning-fast connectivity, 16-million color screen resolution, a large 3.5’’ display, a high-definition 5-mega-pixel auto-focus camera, 11 hours of music play time, and, through its avant-garde Android operating system, download access to over 250,000 applications. Â It also comes fully loaded with a host of TAG Heuer add-ons: customized screen designs,widgets, animations, wallpapers, icons and ring tones.

Swiss Watchmaking tradition allied with the latest in high-tech telephony

The TAG Heuer LINK is instantly recognizable as a top-end TAG Heuer product, avant-gardeboth for its ergonomic design and its very contemporary elegance. Motion, purity, curve, precision, a shimmering dynamism in its form and silhouette – these are its signature values.

The luxury handset is composed of classic watch components and cutting-edge technology. Fully shockproof, the body is engineered like the case of a TAG Heuer watch. As airtight and locked-down as a strong box, it provides full protection of the precious contents – your videos, photos, files and data – sealed in its interior.

Other signature TAG Heuer references include the screws on the handset’s reinforced chassis, which echo those on the casebacks of TAG Heuer chronographs. The unique autolock system on the side, which gives quick access to the SIM card, the connection port and the memory card, sports the TAG Heuer’s shield in black lacquer and looks like a classic TAG Heuer timepiece crown.

A luxury design object of ultimate prestige and performance

Luxuriously crafted and detailed, the TAG Heuer LINK incorporates the most prestigious materials and advanced components in the watchmaking and automotive worlds, including black PVD, diamonds and rose gold. The mirror-polished and fine-brushed stainless steel is premium grade surgical 316L, corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic. The big display front is made from visually stunning, lightweight, and highly damage-resistant Gorilla glassÂ®. The exclusive, hand-worked coverings are in calfskin, alligator or lizard. Every material, precious stone and exotic skin or leather is sourced within the strictest industry standards.

Exclusively launched in TAG Heuer retailers in July 2011, the TAG Heuer LINK is the essential work hard/play instrument, ideal for business and entertainment. Like thewatchmaking heritage that inspires it, it delivers avant-garde luxury with uncompromisingstrength, precision and reliability. A communications instrument of uncompromised calibreand capabilities, it shares the pinnacle of high-performance engineering and innovation with its partner, the MERIDIIST.

The TAG Heuer LINK seriously upgrades the way the world connects.

Main characteristics
Size: 118mm (H) x 67mm (W) x 16.6mm (D)
OS: Android 2.2
Form factor: Bar type touch screen
Weight: 200 grams (battery included)
3G Talk time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Stand by time: up to 330hrs (~14 days)
Battery included: Li-lon 1400mAh

Messaging
SMS / MMS / Email (Predictive Text Input XT9)
Image formats supported: JPEG / GIF / BMP
Sound formats supported: MP3 / AAC / AAC+ / RA / WMA

Connectivity
Stereo Bluetooth
AGPS, Wifi, WAPI
Compatible with any SIM card

Radio
Edge & HSUPA (3G)
4 Band GSM/Tri Band WCDMA

Music / Photo & Video
Internal memory: 256 MB
Memory card: 8GB
Music play time: 11 hours

Photo & Video
LCM Screen: TFT 3.5”
Screen resolution: 800*480 pixels — 16 millions of colors
5 Mega Pixel Camera Auto Focus
Video player and recorder

Applications
Android Market with up to 250 000 applications such as:
Adobe Flash Reader
Google Search, Google Maps
GMail , You Tube , E-Blogger

Phone Materials
316L Stainless steel, Gold, Diamonds, Black PVD, Titanium, Rubber, Calfskin leather,
Carbon leather, Alligator and Lizard

Price
An entry price of 4700â‚¬.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heuer Link Watch Collection For 2011

admin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:02:03 +0000

Among Tag Heuer's mainstay watch collections is the Link. I believe it was originally introduced in the late 1980s, and has been a major part of the brand's image since then. The Link's DNA has always been linked to its bracelet - offering a special look that many have tried to replicate (but not very well). For 2011 Tag Heuer updates and refines the entire link watch collection. I sat down with Tag Heuer's CEO Mr. Babin to talk all about it.

I previously wrote about a Link watch here when doing a review a few years ago. Owning a previous Link model helped me to see the differences that Tag Heuer was able to give the new collection. For the time being the collection is a bit more formal and dressy than its sportier parents. Tag Heuer will likely move into a sport direction later, but have been really focused on a good mature look with their recent mainstream models.

Going first to the bracelet, Tag Heuer streamlined the iconic look a lot. Making the links a bit more flush and less rounded. The distance between the parts is much less. I recall with previous bracelet, sizing it was a pain. I did manage to size it myself, but it was a very involved process. Tag Heuer designed the bracelet to have no exposed pins on the sides, so it was a tricky - but cleverly engineered bracelet. Not sure how that concept plays in with the new bracelet. Save for the two-tone models in steel and gold, the links are brushed. If you've felts the links of a Link bracelet before, you know that Tag Heuer's process results in some of the nicest brushed surfaces around.

As the core case and bracelet of the watch are softer looking and brushed, Tag Heuer wanted to create a contrast when it came to the dial and bezel. Here you see much of the design of the new Link. For now, gone is the rotating bezel replaced with a fixed polished bezel that hints to the piece's dressy soul. While the designs are varied, you can see how the bezel's are richly polished with either Roman or Arabic numerals. For a dress watch they are very nice. The finishing is excellent, and there is a new feature that Tag Heuer hopes will add to the distinctiveness of the entire Link family. You likely won't notice this at first, but look at the polished outer bezel ring. See how it isn't actually round? This element slopes downward and is actually moreÂ cushion shaped - offering little corner bulges. Clearly a very subtle feature, this element does a lot to enhance the look of the case.

Link case sizes are going to be between 40 - 43mm wide for now. At launch, there will be a lot of models with either Swiss quartz or mechanical movements. The basic quartz model will be 40mm wide with a three-hand movement (called the Link Watch with Quartz Movement). There will also be a 43mm wide quartz chronograph model with Tag Heuer's popular Calibre S movement. Up from there are at least three automatic watches. These contain either the Tag Heuer Calibre 5, 6, or 16 movements (base ETA). Basically, as far as I can tell, the 2011 Link will have five product subranges, each with its own range of colors and styles. The differences between certain models is extremely subtle - such as the difference between Arabic or Roman numerals on the bezel.

The Calibre 6 model will be 40mm wide with a subsidiary seconds hand - and probably the most elegant Link look. The Calibre 5 automatic on the other hand is 42mm wide and is the day/date model. I like the integration of the day/date information. The windows are symmetrically stacked on the bottom of the dial, and the day of the week window has the entire day spelled out as is common on Rolex President watches.

The Link automatic chronograph will have the Calibre 16 and is 43mm wide. This movement is a base ETA Valjoux 7750. All the watches have sapphire crystals and are pretty darn comfortable on the wrist. Tag Heuer's reputation for comfort and refinement in recent times really comes from watches like the Carrera and Link.

A few years ago Tag Heuer really wanted to "class up" the dials of the Link by adding thinner hands and textured dial. They dials are attractive but less bold than some of the earlier Link models. I would like to see this new case style with bolder, more sporty dial in the future. For now, the new Link collection is a very refined looking, conservative men's watch with a lot of universal appeal. Prices again start at about $2,000. The quartz models start at $2,100, while the automatic models start at $2,700 for the Calibre 6. The Calibre 5 based Link is $2,800 in steel, and $3,800 in steel with gold (some solid and some plated gold elements). The Calibre 16 based automatic chronograph Links are also $3,800. Look for them very soon - and please note that while there are a lot of the models displayed in this article, it isn't all of them!

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heuer Monaco Mikrograph For Only Watch 2011 Auction

admin — Mon, 30 May 2011 17:42:31 +0000

Tag Heuer's piece unique entry into the Only Watch 2011 charity watch auction will be this one-of-a-kind version of their new Mikrograph in a Monaco case. The Mikrograph was a limited edition of 150 pieces, retro looking model with a special 1/100th of a second chronograph movement. Tag Heuer now plays with the design and places the movement in this more futuristic looking case. While this is a one-off watch to be auctioned off, look to elements of this piece for future design directions.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heuer Monza Automatic Chronograph Calibre 36 “Re-Edition” Watch

admin — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 07:07:51 +0000

2011 saw both super high-tech and decidedly retro watches from Tag Heuer. The most retro of which was probably this "re-issue" Monza. The Monza came back briefly in 2003 with an updated look using the traditional cushion case. For 2011 original look from the 1930s is back. There is no hiding that this is a retro-themed timepieces. It doesn't attempt to be "classic," by instead to offer a look from times long past, in today's quality and materials.

The dial is all 1930s and the case is much more 1970s. According to Tag Heuer the design of the watch draws from both eras. In steel, the case is 38mm wide and cushion shaped. I like the brushed bezel and polished outer side of the case. The dial is exceptionally easy to read with its high contrast hands and numerals. Tag Heuer uses their "heritage" logo that is just "Heuer, " with "Monza" right above. The numerals are very retro looking and they used a cream colored lume outlined in blue (to match the hands).

The bi-compax dial layout for the chronograph is fitting, and inside the watch is the Calibre 36 automatic. I believe this is actually a Zenith El Primero high-beat automatic. This is one of the most sought after Tag movements, and you can see it through the sapphire display back. The automatic movement is COSC Chronometer certified. Don't miss the date window covertly placed between 4 and 5 o'clock. Tag Heuer watches like this aren't made for mass consumption - like many of the heritage collection pieces, this will be part of a limited edition of just 1911 pieces.

For me the question is "when can you wear the watch?" The execution is good and I like the piece, but I am not sure what I would wear it with. New York fashion dudes would no doubt find something to wear this with, but can you pull it off with a t-shirt and jeans? Maybe. The strap is brown leather that looks a bit like bomber jacket leather. Very typical of the time period it is trying to emulate.Â I believe the Tag Heuer Monza Automatic Chronograph Calibre 36 Re-Edition watch will cost about $8,000 bucks, and should be available (starting in Switzerland) in June.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heur Watch Live Webcast From Basel

admin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:00:51 +0000

If you are a Tag Heuer fan, then you'll want to check out the live feed of video here (in the above player) at 9:45am PST (6:45pm Swiss time) on March 23rd. This will a view of the live Tag Heuer press conference at Baselworld where they will unveil a brand new concept watch. You can also ask questions. Enjoy.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Watch Tag Heuer Watches Baselworld Press Conference Live Tomorrow

admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:04:47 +0000

Tomorrow morning (March 23rd) I will post a video player that will allow you to view a live press conference put on by Tag Heuer where they will debut a new concept watch, as well as discuss their 2011 collection. So not just on Facebook as the graphic suggests. The press conference will begin at 9:45am PST (6:45pm Basel time). Check back tomorrow for the new post with the embedded player.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Tag Heuer Carrera Mikrograph 1/100th Of A Second Chronograph Watch Hands-On

admin — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:06:38 +0000

Tag Heuer was nice enough to share the new Carerra Mikograph 1/100th of a second chronograph watch with me, but the room we were in was too dark to take video! So forgive me for having just the CG movie to show you what the watch looks like while the chrono is working. Though the Mikograph is much faster than a foudroyante watch, if you know what those look like to operate you get the basic idea.

I first wrote about the Tag Heuer Carrera Mikrograph here. What does it mean in the video that the watch parts of this modern timepiece come right out of an older Mercedes sports car? The effect is cool, but the logic leaves me scratching my head a bit. Where do I put in the fuel? Modern the movement is. Don't let the vintage looks of the Carrera case deceive you, Tag Heuer wanted you to understand this is part of their new range of in-house, hand-made very high performing movements when you look at it through the caseback. I think the reason they went with the classic look of the case and dial was as an homage to vintage Heuer stop watches. Ont the dial the logo is just "Heuer," signifying that this was is clearly a throwback design model.

The movement is the most interesting part of the watch (and the reason for its very high price-tag). It is based on a previous Tag Heuer movement called the Calibre 360 - which is clearly the parent of this Mikrograph movement. The 360 also had a chronograph that could measure 1/100th of a second, but the 1/100th hand was a subsidiary hand versus a centrally mounted one. The claim to fame here is the world's first "1/100th of a second mechanical chronograph with a centrally mounted 1/100 of a second chronograph hand." The 360 also didn't have a movement that was integrated - we'll get to that in a sec. The Mikrograph calibre is done in a polished almost gun-metal finish, and automatic movement has at least two barrels, and two escapements. It is actually more like two movements in one - but the design is integrated so that it looks like one movement. On the one hand you have the movement for the time and date. It has a standard escapement running at 28,800bph with 42 hours of power reserve. Then you have the movement just for the chronograph. Its escapement operates as a blazing 360,000bph - wow! Both of the escapements are visible through the caseback and are neat to see in action. The chronograph has its own mainspring barrel - which lasts just 90 minutes. There is a 0-100 scale on the watch dial under 12 o'clock. This is a power reserve indicator for the chronograph measured by movement power reserve fullness percentage. The movement is also COSC Chronometer certified.

Where the movement gets a bit quirky is with the winding system. While the time movement is automatically wound by the rotor, the chronograph movement must be hand-wound. I guess it just requires a lot more torque. Reading the dial is pretty simple, and even with all the numbers it does not feel cluttered.

While I didn't get to video the Mikrograph watch in action, I did get to operate it myself. The system is pretty refined meaning that it doesn't make weird buzzing noises or feel like a windup toy vibrating in your hand. The blue chronograph 1/100th of a second hand moves around the dial once each second in a pretty constant motion - so it moves pretty fast. You then have the 60 second counter at 6 o'clock and the minute (up to 30) counter at 3 o'clock.

The blued chronograph hand is hard to see in a lot of light, but it does add some color to the dial. There are a lot of mixed feelings on the watch dial. Some people love it, and others wish that Tag Heuer spruced it up a bit more. I tend to fall into the latter camp because I feel that the dial - while attractive - feels too flat for my tastes. Aside from the hands, the entire dial is flat. At this price range and from Tag Heuer watches, I would have expected maybe some applied markers and/or some leveling on the dial.

The case is 43mm wide and in standard Carrera style. It is also in 18k rose gold, and looks handsome with the cream and brown dial, matched to the brown crocodile strap. The sapphire crystal is raised up a bit with a beveled edge. This helps it feel more retro, but this combined with the doming of the crystal can create distortion when looking at the dial from angle.

An un-apologetically vintage style design with a very modern movement makes for a watch that is a few things to a few people. It makes me wonder if Tag Heuer is marketing to multiple groups with this watch. The gold case and style will appeal to fashion types wanting something "special" from the racing watch brand. The movement on the other hands will appeal to gear-head watch collectors who appreciate the high performance chronograph. I think it is interesting how Tag Heuer created something for both of these audiences. Price wise the Carrera Mikrograph is hard to stomach and reachesÂ the"if you have to ask you cant afford" territory of $50,000. It does have a hand-made movement, 18k rose gold case, and is part of a limited edition of just 150 pieces - but still feels expensive for a Tag Heuer even though it is not the brands most expensive watch at all.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.