TAG Heuer Releases Carrera Glassbox 39mm In A Purple Dial (Hands-On Images)

When TAG Heuer released the Carrera “Glassbox” in 2023 it was immediately received as one of the better vintage reinterpretations of the post-pandemic era. Why exactly is it so beloved? Well, first off, it was the first non-limited production or limited edition ‘Glassbox’ Carrera since the line was introduced all the way back in 2015 with the Calibre 18 Telemeter. Then came notable limited editions like the Skipper reissue and 160th anniversary edition. Secondly, the 39mm-wide case with that personality-packed, domed sapphire crystal (aka "Glassbox") struck a good balance between modern manufacturing/finishing and vintage-inspired design. Now as LVMH Watch Week 2025 kicks off, TAG Heuer has released a new Carrera Chronograph "Glassbox" in a striking purple dial that is borrowed from a limited-edition Monaco from 2022.

We haven’t seen too many purple-dial watches so far, so it’s savvy for TAG to get in on the ground floor of what could (or just as easily could not) be the next big color at the top of 2025. Personally, I think it looks great and could very well be the most attractive iteration of the Glassbox so far. While I love and admire TAG’s consistent dedication to its vintage-racing-inspired history, it’s so nice to see something that isn’t really steeped in any legacy story but rather just looks cool and stands on its own in the moment.

The 39mm wide and 13.86mm-thick case of the Carrera Glassbox (with 100 meters of water resistance) has a 46mm lug-to-lug measurement, which makes it pretty universally wearable. Also, make sure to take that case thickness spec with a grain of salt since almost 3mm of it is due to that domed crystal that adds so much personality to the piece. I’m usually a huge crank about thickness, but I wouldn’t trade the Glassbox vibes for a slimmer case.There are plenty of slim chronographs out there so if it’s a deal-breaker after trying it on, you’ve got options. As for the movement, we have the manufacture Caliber TH20-00, which includes a column-wheel chronograph with vertical clutch that operates at 4 Hz and has a formidable 80-hour power reserve.

Looking at the dial, the purple is executed in a really nice smokey gradient finish that is most vibrant at the center and nearly black as it reaches the sloped tachymeter scale. Sporting a brushed sunray finish, the gradient purple matches well with the black chronograph subdials and black date window at 6 o’clock. The hands and applied indices are all rhodium plated with faceting, making for a nice and legible dial that gives this piece the look and feel of a real luxury watch.

In addition to the classic Carrera Chronograph, TAG Heuer also released the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon with this purple dial. Largely the same as the chronograph, albeit with a larger 42mm-wide, 14.33mm-thick case with a 48.6mm lug-to-lug measurement, this one has the TH20-09 movement, which boasts a tourbillon at 6 o’clock. This is quite obviously costlier than the chrono, with a price of $34,850.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph in purple is available this month and is priced at $6,650. You can learn more at tagheuer.com.