Celebrating the world’s first Formula 1 night race in Singapore, the Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer has created a Singapore Grand Prix edition of its premium-priced Grand Carrera timepiece.

The model’s production is limited to only 150 watches and it’s no wonder that the unit No.1 was auctioned at an outrageous price of S$40,000 Singapore dollars, which is about $27,700 USD.

This is especially impressive if you will take into account the fact that the normal TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 8RS watch has a list price of less than five thousand dollars!

The watch features the famous British Racing Green color scheme, which is a nice change of style from Grand Carrera’s normal black and red color combination.

While its body, bezel and dial are deep black (looks like the scratch-resistant DLC coating to me,) its second hand, leather strap stitching and the GMT marker are green.

As you can see on the pictures, the watch sports the same layout as the rest of the family.

There is a big date indicator at 12 o’clock and a GMT aperture at 6 o’clock. While most GMT watches display the second time zone with a secondary hour hand, Grand Carrera Calibre 8RS features a car dashboard-style rotating disk where current time in another zone is displayed with a thin marker.

The TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Singapore Grand Prix GMT watch is water resistant to 100 meters, and features a leather strap with Omega-style deployant button with push-button release.

The new timekeeper is powered by a COSC-certified Calibre 8RS automatic caliber, which is based on the ETA 2892-A2 self-winding ebauche that was slightly modified using Soprod TT651 add-on module. The same combination was used in such timepieces as Louis Erard 1931 GMT and Ebel Classic Hexagon Dual Time although I must admit that TAG has done a brilliant job making it look more congruent with other members of their Grand Carrera line. Of course, the mechanism was also finished in accordance with TAG Heuer’s higher standards, but don’t expect something outstanding here.

As you may have already guessed by the layout of the watch, all its features are operated with the same setting crown that can be pulled to different position and used for winding the watch, correcting the date and setting the time.

People that are used for timekeepers with exclusive controls designed to operate the second time zone, may find this particular solution less convenient.

Also, keep in mind, that it is always more difficult to service a movement with a piggy-back module on it than a natural-born GMT (chronograph, moonphase, you name it) caliber.

See also: Chopard Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono Speed Black chronometer watch

Photos: TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Singapore Grand Prix GMT watch specification

Price range: Approx $6500
Movement: Calibre 8 RS, base ETA 2892-A2, automatic, COSC-certified, Swiss Made
Complications: GMT, big date
Power reserve: 46 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Crown: Screw-down, fluted
Case diameter: 42.50 mm
Case height: 13.00 mm
Lugs: 21 mm
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black natural leather with green stitching
Crystal: Sapphire crystal, scratch-proof
Back: Sapphire crystal

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