Tag Heuer got to make a rather large collection of limited edition watch for Mercedes and McLaren to celebrate the SLR super-car. The car was a bit of  sales disappointment, but was still cool. I have a feeling it will be a collector’s item in the future. Most highly anticipated items that end up being sales duds are. Why do you think the Rolex Paul Newman Daytona is so desirable?

I believe that Tag Heuer SLR collection started back in the mid 2000’s, and since then there have been several models. All forward looking in style. For 2010 Tag Heuer released a limited edition retro model with the Carrera Chronograph Calibre 1887 300 SLR limited edition piece that you can read about here. Of the previous style limited edition models this Tag Heuer SLR Calibre 17 chronograph model is my favorite. Clean lines in a functional case with a design that is reminiscent of the car. Though a few other models such as one with an almost cushion style case mirror looks of the car even more.

The steel case is a hair over 45mm wide and this version has a steel on steel bezel. Other models had black toned bezels. While the bezel has a tachymeter scale on it, the watch also has an inner rotating bezel that is operated by the left crown. The comfortable looking chronograph pushers are modeled after the paddle shifters on the car.

Dial is clean and is covered with a sapphire crystal. I like the easy to read dial layout which actually feels like a design precursor of the new Carrera Calibre 1887 models. See what I mean? Inside the watch is a Calibre 17 movement, which is a Tag Heuer personalized Swiss ETA 2894 automatic chronograph. Of course, what is really unique is how Mercedes-Benz shares (even dominates in terms of placement) the dial with the Tag Heuer logo.

Really the only design flaw is the attempted balance of the dial by attempting to have the diagonally placed date window bounce off of the “automatic” text. The watch case has a nicely integrated black alligator strap. This specific Tag Heuer SLR watch was reference: CAG2110.FC6209, and likely released in 2007 I believe. Not sure about original retail price. Probably around $4000 -$5000. You can see one of these Tag Heuer SLR watches for less available on James List here.