The Calibre 16 has been around for ages, and today, it uses either the ETA 7750 or its clone, the Sellita SW-500 as its base.

The watch, as noted above, is a modified TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16. Thinking out of the box when creating race cars is not something new for Nissan fans of the race will surely remember the Deltawing from three years ago. Nissan is betting on the fact that this allows them to have a more aerodynamic chassis, as the back of the car can be slimmer, and hence, “less draggy” when compared to mid-engine cars. Nissan enters the 2015 race with a completely unique race car that, unlike just about any “proper” race car at the top of the food chain nowadays, uses front wheel drive and a front-mounted engine – a highly unusual design choice. The big deal for TAG for Le Mans 2015, however, is the partnership with the official Nissan Nismo Team, who will be racing in the top category of LMP1. Brand ambassador Patrick Dempsey (and his team) racing in the GTE-Am group will be wearing TAG Heuer watches throughout the race, and so will two other “fans of the brand” drivers on different teams. Given TAG’s history with the Le Mans race, it is no wonder that they go all in this year, as they will be represented in numerous ways throughout the race. As such, TAG dedicates a more contemporary design to the occasion, as it releases a modified Carrera Calibre 16.

Times have changed – what a surprise – and today, Le Mans represents the pinnacle of motorsport (especially, as much as it pains me to say this, with Formula 1’s downfall over the recent years). This highly successful relationship between TAG and Le Mans all started in the 1970s, with a collaboration between the watch manufacturer and Ferrari and, more memorably, with the Monaco finding its way into the famed movie Le Mans, starring Steve McQueen, who wore a Monaco on set. The TAG Heuer Carrera Nismo Calibre 16 is the brand’s latest watch dedicated to the legendary (and arguably world’s most important) endurance race: 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Tag heuer calibre 16 day date vintage