If the arrival of TAG’s new “accessible luxury” Heuer-02T tourbillon were an isolated instance, it could be passed off as a provocative new release by the two men at the brand’s helm – the seemingly all-powerful Jean-Claude Biver, president of LVMH’s Watch Division, and Guy Semon, TAG Heuer’s director-general.

Place it next to Montblanc’s Heritage Chronometrie ExoTourbillon from 2015 that offered a tourbillon at a drastically reduced price, which set the industry talking, however, and we have what looks like a price war between two of the sector’s most prominent players. The tourbillon, meaning whirlwind in French, is a largely cosmetic complication used in high-end watches that was first used in early 19th-century Swiss clocks, so it’s nothing new per se.

What is new is the price point TAG has chosen; admittedly circa Sf15 000 (R240 000) may not be within everyone’s budget but to place that in perspective, most tourbillon models had previously been in the Sf110 000-plus (R1.75m-plus) price bracket. Claims of increased accuracy from a tourbillon today are misleading; no matter what the sales people tell you, a chronograph is always going to beat it hands down.

What’s really at stake here is added aesthetic interest and prestige. And that’s precisely what makes this new TAG so appealing. Initially released in a stealthy black, lightweight titanium case and black alligator strap with a sweat-resistant rubber lining, at 45mm in diameter it’s a sizeable addition to any wrist and one unlikely to go unnoticed.

The skeletonised dial exposes some of the inner workings of the watch mechanics while focusing the eye on the tourbillon at 6 o’clock and two chronograph counters at 3 o’ clock and 9 o’clock, for minutes and hours respectively. TAG knows a thing or two about precision timing and is justifiably proud of its Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres-certified chronographs, including the one used here.

No surprises then that each watch will be subjected to 21 days of testing to make sure it’s up to standard before hitting the streets. There is also a limited edition of this model available known as the Black Phantom, just 250 pieces of which will be released worldwide. The colour palette is, as you might have guessed, all black on black. 


Movement: Heuer-02T manufacture
Case: 45mm titanium
Features: tourbillon, 65-hour+ power reserve, chronograph
Strap: black alligator leather with rubber lining
ZAR distributor: picotandmoss.co.za
ZAR price: exact price on release later this year

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