A limited edition available only in Europe, the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon “Blue Panda” is another take on TAG Heuer’s value-minded complication. Retaining the familiar Glassbox case, this has an attractive white-and-blue dial with the flying tourbillon at six.

Initial thoughts

When TAG Heuer released the Carrera Glassbox in 2023, it was well received as a successful attempt at modernising a classic racing chronograph. Although the Glassbox is clearly vintage inspired, it is still an original design. The Blue Panda builds on the appeal of the Glassbox by making it more complication, adding a tourbillon to the mix. Notably, the Blue Panda is the only current variant of the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon with contrast-colour registers, which gives more retro vibes.

Although the 42 mm case is slightly bigger than the standard Carrera without tourbillon, the short lugs allow it to wear quite well on various wrists.

Priced at €25,200 with taxes, the Blue Panda is priced similar to other versions of the model, and remains a decent value proposition. While it is far more expensive than the affordable chronographs that TAG Heuer is known for, it is affordable for this combination of complications. Though the in-house movement is industrially executed, it is high quality and packaged in the attractive Glassbox case.

Another species of “Panda”

The stainless steel case is 42 mm in diameter and 14.3 mm in thickness, and retains the signature elements of the Carrera Glassbox design, like the faceted lugs mirror-polished on the top and satin-brushed on the sides. But its defining feature is the highly domed “glass box” crystal that traces the raised seconds flange around the dial.

Paired with the raised blue flange are the blue sub-dials at three and nine, which are snailed and recessed for added contrast. More colour comes from the chronograph seconds hand and “TAG Heuer” logo in red.

The dial layout is almost perfectly symmetrical, with the one-minute tourbillon is visible through an aperture at six.

Below the open back sits the TH20-09, an in-house movement that features bidirectional winding and 65 hours of power reserve. The free-sprung balance inside the tourbillon cage oscillates at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz).

The movement is industrial, but cleanly decorated with striping on the bridges and an open-worked rotor that form the TAG Heuer shield emblem.

Key facts and price

TAG Heuer Carrera Tourbillon Chronograph “Blue Panda”
Ref. CBS5013.FC6572

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 14.3 mm
Material: Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. TH20-09
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and tourbillon
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 65 hours

Strap: Blue perforated calf ski strap with polished steel folding clasp 

Limited edition: 50 pieces
Availability: Now at TAG Heuer boutiques and retailers in Europe 
Price: €25,200 including VAT

For more, visit tagheuer.com