Vintage Tag Heuer Chronograph History

TAG Heuer (originally Heuer, before being renamed in 1985) has been making chronographs for well over a century. Here’s a quick timeline:

  • 1882 – Edouard Heuer patented his first chronograph.

  • 1887 – Heuer patented the oscillating pinion, a key component still used in many modern mechanical chronographs.

  • 1914 – Heuer introduced its first wrist-worn chronograph (prior to this, most were pocket chronographs).

  • 1930s–1940s – Heuer became a major supplier of chronographs to pilots, racers, and military forces.

  • 1963 – Launch of the Carrera chronograph, which became one of Heuer’s most iconic models.

  • 1969 – Heuer, in collaboration with Breitling, Dubois Dépraz, and Hamilton-Buren, introduced the Chronomatic Caliber 11, one of the first automatic chronograph movements ever made.

  • 1985 – After TAG Group acquired Heuer, the brand was renamed TAG Heuer and continued to produce chronographs, building on its strong racing heritage.



 

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