TAG Heuer's relationship with Hiroshi Fujiwara, founder of Fragment Design and pioneer of Tokyo street culture, has become one of the most stylistically enduring collaborations in contemporary watchmaking. Their first joint venture in 2018 distilled the vintage Carrera in its purest form; The second, in 2020, reinterpreted the 1970s Autavia with a graphic, more eye-catching Caliber Heuer 02 chronograph. Now, TAG Heuer and Fujiwara return to the Carrera Glassbox in their third collaboration to explore the concept of functional minimalism further than ever.
The Carrera Chronograph x Fragment Limited Edition is based on the latest Glassbox Carrera, a watch that reinterprets Jack Heuer's original 1963 design through modern materials and geometry.
Classic glass box enclosure
In the hand, the 39mm stainless steel case immediately reveals the cool and stylish Glassbox concept. There is no outer bezel, as the strongly curved sapphire crystal rises smoothly from the edge of the case and merges into the tachymeter flange below. From the side it appears to be a single continuous curve of steel and glass, an unbroken silhouette. The angular lugs are sharp and faceted and extend cleanly from the center case in true Carrera style. At 13.9mm thick, it's not the thinnest chronograph, but the proportions are balanced and the shape of the crystal brightens the look of the watch.
Deliberately inspired by vintage style, the pump-style pushers and signed crown are reminiscent of the early motorsport Carreras of the 1960s, but executed with a contemporary freshness. The ergonomic design of the case and the short lug-to-lug dimension of 46mm ensure a comfortable fit. When viewed from different angles, the crystal enlarges parts of the dial, giving the watch an additional three-dimensional quality and making it appear more like a design object.
The dial… black and white minimalism
Beneath this tall crystal is a matte black opaline dial, the depth of which is emphasized by a raised white tachymeter ring with faint silver numerals. The minimalism typical of Fujiwara is expressed by reducing the layout to the essentials: three recessed black subdials, 30-minute, 12-hour and running seconds, without numbers, just fine markings at different intervals. The date window moves to 12 o'clock and is discreetly framed. On the 1st and 11th days of the month, Fragment's lightning bolt replaces the numbers (single on the 1st and double on the 11th), a subtle nod to collaboration. at 6 o'clock repeated with the fragment's text logo.
The hour markers are reduced to tiny gray luminous squares, paired with rhodium-plated hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova. The overall impression is deliberately reserved, almost graphic.
Internal movement
The watch is powered by the TAG Heuer Caliber TH20-00, the brand's in-house column wheel automatic chronograph with a vertical clutch and an 80-hour power reserve. It works at 28,800 semi-oscillations/hour. The movement is visible through the sapphire crystal case back; The Fragment Lightning Emblem appears again. The rotor, an angular, shield-like shape, is accented with black details reminiscent of the monochrome dial.
Note: The watch photographed was a prototype and the central link is not PVD coated on the back, while the final version will be
Bracelet, availability & price
The seven-row Beads of Rice bracelet continues the interplay of textures, alternating brushed and polished steel with black PVD-coated center links. It is equipped with a folding clasp and harmonizes with the dark aesthetic of the watch.
The Carrera Chronograph x Fragment is limited to 500 numbered pieces and is already available from the brand CHF 8,150 or 9,000 euros. Further information at tagheuer.com.
https://monochrome-watches.com/tag-heuer-carrera-chronograph-x-fragment-limited-edition-glassbox-review-price/