BASEL, Switzerland, Mar 25, 2011 /– TAG Heuer, the leading Swiss luxury watch brand, today introduced its Carrera Heritage series, a premium collection of watches and chronographs that evoke the brand’s grand watchmaking traditions.

Debuting in October, these models are a true synergy of timeless grace and superior artisanry, ideal for consumers seeking a timepiece that is at once – and forever – a classic.

The hallmark of the line is its timeless styling, which imbues each model with a decidedly heirloom quality and evokes the glamour and sophistication that defined the 1960s, when the original Carrera was developed.

While powered by the modern Calibre 6 or Calibre 16 movement, respectively, the watches and chronographs in the Carrera Heritage collection are designed to look like they have been handed down across generations.

This feel is achieved through artistic details such as the flinque texture on the dials, a decorative motif of undulating lines that is traditionally found on vintage timepieces. This aesthetic is complemented by the timepieces’ raised and curved Arabic numerals, which are featured in a bright lustrous blue, rich rose gold, polished silver or 18k gold, depending on the model.

In designing the Carrera Heritage series, TAG Heuer delved into its archives, pulling specific elements, including the linear shape of the pushbuttons and tapered hour and minute hands, from a 1945 Heuer timepiece.

Also drawn from this nearly 70-year-old watch were the hands for the small, second counter and chronograph, which boast an elegant delta shape. These stand in stark contrast to the stick-straight hands that sweep along today’s timepieces, adding to the new models’ antique appeal.

Available in either a watch or chronograph, both Carrera Heritage styles feature a scratch-resistant sapphire caseback, allowing wearers to appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship of the movement. In addition, they are water resistant to 100 meters.