SAVOIR FAIRE Time and the Moon

On February 20, 1962, astronaut John Glenn piloted Friendship 7 into space and made history. Fastened to his wrist was a modified Heuer 2915A stopwatch — the first Swiss timepiece to orbit Earth. Strapped over his spacesuit’s sleeve, the watch could measure time for 12 hours with an accuracy of 5ths of a second.

More than six decades later, that legacy inspires the TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer: a modern take on the moonphase complication, reinterpreted through the Maison’s enduring spirit of avant-garde.

Traditionally, moonphase displays in watchmaking present a simple view of the new and full moon. TAG Heuer reinvents this complication in the Carrera Astronomer with a modern, avant-garde approach, offering a precise reading of the entire lunar cycle. At 6 o’clock, the Astronomer displays seven illustrated lunar phases — from waxing crescents to waning gibbous — offering a more precise reading than traditional full and new moon formats. Additionally, the age-of-the-moon indicator — a rare feature that sets this model apart — also counts lunar days 1 through 29.5, merging accuracy with visual sophistication.

Unveiled at Geneva Watch Days 2025, the TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer introduces three dial expressions, each bringing its personality to the collection. A silver sunray-brushed dial with rose-gold accents channels refined elegance; a deep grey version with turquoise highlights offers a more modern, futuristic tone, both limited to 500 pieces; and a third edition in full steel embraces timeless minimalism. All are framed within a 39mm steel case, adhering to the TAG Heuer Carrera’s iconic bold and streamlined proportions.

Inside beats the newly released Calibre 7 automatic movement, ensuring a 50-hour power reserve and reliable moonphase accuracy. Flip the watch over to reveal the engraved “astronomical observatory” caseback motif, a nod to the model’s space inspiration. Completing the watch is the beads-of-rice bracelet, a revived heritage detail that brings ergonomic comfort and visual harmony.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer bridges heritage and exploration, honoring a legacy born in orbit and crafted for the present. Rooted in the stars, designed for Earth.