Stunning TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer Tackles the Final Frontier

By Nick Hall - News

Published: 8 Sep 2025

Readtime: 6 min

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From the moment the Soviet Sputnik 1 satellite touched the outer limits of our atmosphere, the global space race was on. Countless unmanned voyages followed, many helmed by animal cosmonauts, and by the time Yuri Gagarin made his first fateful journey into outer space in 1961, the Soviet Union had established a commanding lead.

At that time, NASA’s budding Mercury program had only managed to send astronauts Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom into suborbital flight, falling short of its goal to make true, manned exploration a reality. On 20 February 1962, that would all change.

Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. stepped onto the launch pad and into the history books, becoming the first American to orbit Earth. Aboard the aptly named Friendship 7 spacecraft, Glenn circled Earth three times on a defining voyage that lasted four hours, 55 minutes, and 23 seconds. Brief by modern standards, the Ohio native’s remarkable journey set the tone for what would become an incredible decade of space exploration. What’s more, he had some help from an unlikely source.

TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer Ref. WBX2112.FC6615 | Image: TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer in Space

During his history-making voyage, Glenn wore a specifically modified Heuer 2915A stopwatch. That’s right—the first Swiss watch in space was a Heuer. Best known for its prowess as a race-timing instrument, the Heuer 2915A was a long-range 1/5-second timer that featured seven jewels and a nickel-chrome-plated case.

The dual sub-dial layout allowed for accurate timing across minutes, hours and seconds, with operation performed by consecutive depressions of the crown. Research suggests that Glenn wore the piece as a back-up timer, ensuring accurate timekeeping during take-off.

The success of the manned flight not only marked a significant step forward for NASA, it also helped affirm Heuer’s technical ingenuity. The Friendship 7 mission became a defining chapter in the brand’s history, linking precision watchmaking to the pursuit of discovery on a global stage. In 2025, a new chapter unfolds.

TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer

At Geneva Watch Days 2025, TAG Heuer unveiled three new references under the unique Carrera Astronomer moniker. A new lunar interpretation of Glenn’s history-making piece, the latest collection introduces an avant-garde expression of the moonphase complication, produced with a trademark clarity, precision, and pioneering approach.

Trading the adrenaline of race circuits and finish lines for the measured precision of the lunar cycle, the 39mm Carrera Astronomer marks a stark departure from the traditionally motorsport-heavy luxury watchmaker. Central to its design is the newly released Calibre 7 mechanical movement, a remarkable innovation that powers an equally noteworthy moonphase complication.

At 6 o’clock, a rotating disc presents seven illustrated moon stages, clearly showing the moon’s current phase and position in the 29.5-day cycle. Flanked by two slender arrows calibrated for daily motion, the display advances each day at 1:00am. According to TAG Heuer, this synchronisation elevates accuracy and strengthens the sense of connection between the wearer and the lunar cycle.

On the reverse, the caseback reveals an astronomical observatory, a tribute to the timepiece’s cosmic inspiration. It is accompanied by the Victory Wreath, symbolising triumph and enduring excellence.

As confirmed at Geneva Watch Days 2025, the TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer will launch with three distinct references. The first, a stainless steel release with a silver dial and contrasting black flange and black moonphase disc, will form part of the core Carrera collection. The high-contrast, low-saturation arrangement is designed to evoke the “stillness of space”, while deep grey detailing adds a sense of movement and atmosphere.

Fittingly, TAG Heuer has also revived a modern interpretation of the maison’s iconic beads of rice bracelet design from the 1960s, further connecting the new timepiece with its historic codes. This model also features rhodium-plated hands coated with white Super-LumiNova for legibility.

The second edition, limited to 500 individually numbered pieces, takes a more contemporary approach. This time, the silver dial is framed by a dark grey flange, providing a subtle background for the timepiece’s Super-LumiNova-enhanced turquoise accents.

According to TAG Heuer, these luminous details, visible on the Arabic numerals, hands and moonphase display, bring a more futuristic tone to the design and introduce a heightened sense of energy. This model is fitted with a grey leather strap that adds a tactile, modern elegance to the overall composition.

TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer Ref. WBX2111.BD0002 | Image: TAG Heuer

Finally, Ref. WBX2111.BD0002 adds a touch of luxury, introducing 18K 5N rose gold for a two-tone aesthetic. The rich hues are most visible on the rose gold-plated flange and matching hands, which have again been filled with Super-LumiNova, along with the Arabic numerals. For this limited-edition reference, capped at 500 pieces worldwide, the moonphase display is rendered in a tone-on-tone palette, subtly integrated into the composition.

What makes the latest collection stand out isn’t simply that it’s entirely new, but that the brand is moving beyond its traditional territory. For decades, the maison has been inextricably linked to motor racing, courtesy of its ties to Formula 1 and its rich history of timing instruments. The Carrera Astronomer signals the beginning of a bold new era where TAG Heuer has its sights set on the final frontier.

TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer Ref. WBX2112.FC6615 | Image: TAG Heuer

Pricing & Availability

All three TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer models will be available to purchase online and in boutiques starting October 2025. The Ref. WBX2112.FC6615 comes on a grey leather strap with a steel fine-brushed and polished double-folding clasp, priced at CHF 4,350. The Ref. WBX2110.BA0044 with a steel polished bezel and black-and-silver flanges comes on a steel seven-row bracelet, priced at CHF 4,550.

Finally, the Ref. WBX2111.BD0002, featuring an 18K 5N rose gold-plated and silver flange with a 60-second/minute scale, comes on a steel and 18K 5N rose gold two-tone seven-row bracelet, priced at CHF 6,900. All three timepieces are powered by the Calibre 7 mechanical movement, which offers 50 hours of power reserve alongside hours, minutes, seconds and moonphase functions. For more information on the new TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer collection, visit the Swiss maison’s official online boutique.

View at TAG Heuer