IntroducingTAG Heuer Shoots For The Moon With The Carrera Astronomer (Live Pics)

The new Carrera Astronomer, as its name suggests, utilizes the modern, pre-Glassbox 39mm Carrera case. The dial of all three watches shares a very similar execution. It's structured in three sections — a color-accented minutes track surrounds a silver sunray-brushed mid dial, which then surrounds the seemingly complicated markings of the unique take on a moonphase complication.

The standard, non-limited model gets a fully black and white treatment, with three-dimensionally applied Arabic hour numerals. Similarly, the limited edition model features a two-tone steel and 5N rose gold finish, with Arabic numerals plated in matching gold. A streak of rose gold runs down the middle of the polished 5-link bracelet. A third model, also a limited edition, features a monochromatic grey design heavily accented by green, both on the printed Arabic hour numerals and the hands, moonphase, and lunar pointer. Both limited editions are produced in a run of 500 pieces each.

Laid out in the center section of the dial are seven illustrated moon stages, as well as markers for all 29.5 days in the cycle of the moon. A disc printed with a double-tipped pointer indicates the current phase of the moon as well as the day in the cycle. At 1:00 AM every day, that pointer disc advances to the next position. It's a significantly more scientific execution of the moonphase complication, which typically is done in a more romantic approach of a moon in a sky of stars, letting you vaguely visualize the current phase of the moon. On the Astronomer, however, you can pretty much put together an entire reading of the Moon's current state quickly and easily through the markings and pointer. You know, in case a stranger stops you on the street to ask what the current phase of the moon is.

The complication is powered by the Calibre 7, a new automatic caliber with a 56-hour power reserve. The caseback is closed, allowing it to be filled with laser-engraved artwork of an astronomical observatory.

The new Carrera Astronomers will be available starting in October. Pricing is CHF 4,550 for the non-limited model on bracelet (ref. WBX2110.BA0044), while the limited model in steel (ref. WBX2112.FC6615) is priced at CHF 4,350 on astrap, and the two-tone model (ref. WBX2111.BD0002) is priced at CHF 6,900. Both limited models will be produced in 500-piece editions.

This new Astronomer is probably the most out-of-left-field release from the brand this year, but if there's anyone on the team who loves talking about oddball releases, it's certainly me. So let's talk about it. Looking at TAG's current lineup, the modern pre-Glassbox Carrera collection is quite... boring. So much so, in fact, that I'm surprised that the Glassbox design language hasn't really spread over to non-chronograph Carreras like this new Astronomer, since I think it was a huge step up from TAG and gave them a unique edge in stepping up and away from a lot of their 2010s-era department store associations.

While it would have been interesting to see how TAG Heuer could have incorporated some of the newer Glassbox design traits into the Astronomer, I must give the brand credit for trying something new. It might not be for everyone, but at least this is a unique execution of a moonphase, especially given that this is a rare interpretation of the complication that's significantly more useful for, well, actually telling the phase of the moon. I'm never going to fault anyone for taking a risk in a novel idea. Vintage collectors will certainly think of the Heuer Solunar from the 1950s as inspiration for the Astronomer's central disc indicator, though the Solunar was designed for reading tides, while this new layout is purely for the phases of the Moon.

My favorite of the bunch would be the limited-edition model in steel, featuring hints of green on the lumed accents, although I am a bit baffled by the decision to omit the bracelet on that specific model. It would have looked great on it! But otherwise, all three models offer something unique in aesthetic, especially the rose gold model with its juxtaposition of a two-tone scientific complication. I'm hoping that this trio of oddball watches means that TAG is starting to take more design risks in its catalog going forward.

Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Astronomer
Reference Number: WBX2112.FC6615 (steel & green limited edition on strap); WBX2110.BA0044 (steel on bracelet); WBX2111.BD0002 (steel and 5N rose gold limited edition on bracelet)

Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 12.16mm
Case Material: Steel
Dial Color: Silver
Indexes: Applied (printed for the limited edition in steel)
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Strap/Bracelet: 7-link bracelet or leather strap

Caliber: Calibre 7
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, moonphase
Power Reserve: 56 hours
Winding: Automatic
Chronometer Certified: No

Price: CHF 4,350 (Steel on strap); CHF 4,550 (Steel on bracelet); CHF 6,900 (Two-tone on bracelet)
Availability: October 2025
Limited Edition: Steel on strap and two-tone on bracelet are limited to 500 pieces each. 

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