For this post, we’ll talk about one of the most popular collections of TAG Heuer – the Carrera. It was first introduced back in 1963 as a solution to the poor legibility of the Autavia that was launched in 1962. The first generation of TAG Heuer Carrera was intentionally designed to be free from extra details to make sure that its chronograph function can be read easily. The chronograph subdials are also sunken, making the dial appear 3D. In the later generations, the date function was also added at either 3 or 6 o’clock position.
The latest TAG Heuer Carrera models, however, have become more “unremarkable”. The designs don’t really stand out among others yet their attention to detail and build quality give the wearer a sense of style. As such, a TAG Heuer Carrera may be a simple three-hand analog watch, a chronograph watch, or a more complicated tourbillon. Their straps may be stainless steel, leather, and even rubber. Depending on the model, a Carrera may cost you around $2,000 to almost $25,000. (To know more about the collection and the brand in general, you may also visit this link.)
Very interested in a Carrera but can’t afford that much? Here are the best affordable TAG Heuer Carrera alternatives we found.
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Best Affordable Tag Heuer Carrera Alternatives
Casio Edifice EFS-S500DB-1BVCR
The first and cheapest on the list is a wonderful recommendation from this discussion. The Casio Edifice EFS-S500DB-1BVCR. It is a solar-powered chronograph watch that has a straightforward yet modern look. The watch is mainly made of stainless steel, particularly for the bezel, case, and bracelet. The black stationary bezel comes with Arabic numeral 5-minute markers and four screws. The black dial is multi-layered, the top one is the outer ring that has white minute markers. It also has gold bar indices as hour markers. Then primarily on the left side, you’ll see the three multi-layered chronograph subdials. On the right is a date window, specifically at 3 o’clock. Covering all these features is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window. The watch is driven by a quartz movement and is water-resistant for 100 meters.
Fossil Nate JR1353
Next is another recommendation from this forum – the Fossil Nate JR1353. It is a sleek steel watch. The dial is black with white accents and details, creating a simple, clean look. There are three chronograph subdials at the lower portion that can tracks hours, minutes, and down to seconds. It also has a date window at 4 o’clock. There are white hour markers with Arabic numerals for 3, 6, 9 and 12. There are also minute indices around the dial. On the bezel, moreover, are 5-minute Arabic numeral markers. For the movement, the Fossil Nate JR1353 uses quartz.
Moreover, it comes with a mineral dial window and interchangeable bands. Although it comes with a stainless steel bracelet, you may change it with other 24mm straps – could be leather or silicone to match your style and/or comfort. It is also water-resistant but only to 50 meters.
Seiko Chronograph SSB095
The Seiko Chronograph SSB095 is another chronograph watch but this one comes with a leather strap. The dial’s white with blue accents and sunken subdials. The three chronograph subdials are for 60-second, 60-minute, and 24-hour tracking. It also has a tachymeter around the outer rim of the dial and a date function between the 4 and 5 o’clock. Powering these functions is a 6T63 quartz movement. The hands are hour markers are luminescent and the dial window is made of scratch-resistant hardlex crystal. It is also water-resistant to 100 meters.
Vincero GOL-BRO-0S06
The Vincero GOL-BRO-0S06 Is another chronograph watch attached to a leather strap. Its style is very much similar to this TAG Heuer Carrera model. It’s clean and simple even with the three chronograph subdials and the date function.
The 40mm watch case is made of 316L stainless steel while the dial window is made of scratch- and scrape-resistant sapphire-coated mineral crystal. More so, the strap is made of premium Italian leather and is interchangeable with other 22mm straps. The timepiece uses Citizen Miyota quartz movement and is water-resistant to 50 meters.
Orient 2nd Gen. Bambino Ver. 2
If you like the TAG Heuer Carrera mainly for its style and look, but not necessarily for its chronograph function, you may consider the Orient 2nd Gen. Bambino Ver. 2. It’s mainly a dress watch with stainless steel case, leather strap and uses a Japanese hand-winding automatic movement. The dial is pretty simple, with Roman numeral hour markers, smaller Arabic numeral minute markers, and even smaller second trackers. As an additional detail to the timepiece, its mineral crystal is domed. However, since it is a dress watch, it is water-resistant to only 30 meters.
Citizen AT2141-52L
The Citizen AT2141-52L is a luxurious-looking chronograph steel watch but at a much affordable price. On its dark blue dial, you’d find a tachymeter at the outer ring. Then, there are three chronograph subdials and a date function at 4 o’clock. In addition, there are silver hour indices, baton hands, and minute markers. The dial is covered by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal window and it is encased in a 42mm stainless steel. It is driven by a Japanese quartz movement but since it is an Eco-Drive timepiece, it uses any light source for power. The bracelet is also made of stainless steel and comes with a fold-over clasp. It is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Victorinox 241728 Night Vision Watch
The Victorinox 241728 Night Vision Watch is another elegant-looking timepiece at an affordable price. Similar to the TAG Heuer Carrera, this chronograph watch is available with either a leather or stainless steel strap. The case, however, is made of titanium while the dial window is a triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal. It uses a Swiss quartz movement and is water-resistant to only 50 meters.
This Night Vision Chronograph comes with a silver multi-layered black and white dial. It has three chronograph subdials, a date window at 6 o’clock, and a minute tracker around the perimeter. More so, it packs various light features such as flashlight, locator mode, distress signal, and dial light. It also uses Super LumiNova technology that allows the hands and markers to absorb light and retain it for a few seconds when the room suddenly turns dark. It also has an end-of-life indicator so you’d know when it’s time to change the battery.
Tissot V8 Alpine
The Tissot V8 Alpine is a chronograph leather watch but it has a more casual and sporty look primarily because of the blue-colored accents such as the bezel, chronograph subdials, and stitching. It still has a tachymeter on its stainless steel bezel and three chronograph subdials along with the date function on its black dial. Both the hands and stick indices are also luminous. The black leather strap, as mentioned, has blue stitching and it uses a butterfly clasp with push buttons. The Tissot V8 Alpine uses a Swiss quartz movement and is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Tissot PRS516 Chronograph
If you want a sports watch alternative to the TAG Heuer Carrera, the Tissot PRS516 Chronograph is a great option. It comes with a bezel made of stainless steel with black carbon fiber inlay and tachymeter function. The 42mm case, moreover, is made of 316L stainless steel with black PVD coating. It also has a black carbon dial with white hour stick indices and smaller minute indices. There are also three chronograph subdials that serve as a 30-minute, 60-second and 1/10 of a second counter, and a date function at 4 o’clock. This Swiss-made timepiece uses a Swiss quartz movement. It also has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window and an adjustable rubber strap with fold-over clasp closure. The Tissot PRS516 Chronograph is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Tissot PRC 200 Automatic Chronograph
If the automatic movement of the TAG Heuer Carrera is a non-negotiable aspect for you, we would highly recommend the Tissot PRC 200 Automatic Chronograph as the affordable alternative. This Swiss-made timepiece with an analog display is driven by a Swiss automatic movement with a 45-hour power reserve. The materials used for this watch are also of premium quality – such as the 316L stainless steel case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window, and brown leather strap.
For the features and functions, the outer ring of the dial comes with a tachymeter and a date function can be seen at 3 o’clock. There are also three sunken chronograph subdials that serve as a 30-minute counter, 6-hour counter, and 60-second tracker. The white dial also showcases Arabic numeral and stick hour indices, as well as a minute tracker around the dial. The hour and minute hands are also luminous. More so, the Tissot PRC 200 Automatic Chronograph is rated 20ATM in terms of water resistance; meaning, it is resistant up to 200 meters.
