The limited-edition TAG Heuer Calibre 16 Day-Date Chronograph Singapore combines a well-proportioned stainless 42 mm steel case with the Valjoux 7750-based chronograph movement and is offered at a more or less acceptable price that will not make you break the bank if you spontaneously decide to go for it.
After almost exactly a year since the highly successful launch of the limited-edition 2008 Grand Carrera Singapore Grand Prix GMT, TAG Heuer has revealed yet another similarly themed model.
Like the aforementioned special edition model, the Calibre 16 Day-Date Singapore also features a combination of black and bright green, which are the colors of the unique Singapore F1 race, the only one in the world to be held after the dusk.
Of course, the green here is limited to parts of the “interface” directly related to the chronograph functions. There is a green element on the chronograph start button, as well as the green “tachymetre” inscription on the fixed bezel. The chronograph hour, minute, and central seconds hands are, too, painted in the same shade of green.
To further emphasize the chronograph’s connection to the roaring world of Formula 1, the dial is made of black and gray carbon fiber that looks like a fragment of a checkered racing flag.
Inside the 43-millimeter steel case is ticking TAG Heuer’s Calibre 16 movement, which is based on the Swiss-made ETA Valjoux 7750 chronograph and features pretty much standard 42 hours of power reserve, day and date indication at 3 hours and, again, a standard, tri-compax chronograph layout with a small seconds display at 9 o’clock.
Although the use of a mass-produced caliber (even the one that was modified to a tad higher specs and offered with a nicer finish) somehow diminishes the value for money ratio of this limited edition model. However, given its MSRP, I should say that the model is not actually that overpriced as some other ETA-based chronographs from competing brands. Also, given the relatively low premium that TAG Heuer put on this trinket, there is a good chance that it will hold its resale value a tad better than similarly styled, but more expensive timekeepers from other Swiss-based brands.
All in all, I think that this may be a great addition to any collection focused on racing-inspired timekeepers.
The Swiss brand plans to limit the total production run to only 250 units and recommends selling them for $6500 apiece.
Well, frankly speaking, this particular time measuring device looks like just about any chronograph powered by the omnipresent Valjoux 7750, so, if you are not a real collector of this particular brand or movement, I don’t think you should waste sixty-five hundred bucks for this one.
See also: TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS2 Caliper Chronograph Ti2
Photo: TAG Heuer / PuristSPro
TAG Heuer Calibre 16 Day-Date Automatic Chronograph Singapore specification
Price range: $6500 (MSRP)
Movement: Calibre 16, base ETA 7750, modified oscillating weight, rapid date correction, Swiss Made
Winding: Automatic
Complications: Date, day, chronograph
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Jewels: 25
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Size: 43.00 mm
Dial: Black, carbon-fiber texture
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Leather with bright green stitching
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective