The TAG Heuer Carrera Special Edition by Hiroshi Fujiwara

Swiss watchmaker, TAG Heuer has a long tradition of collaborating with influential groups, and they recently partnered up with the avant-garde Japanese streetwear guru, Hiroshi Fujiwara, founder of fashion label Fragment. The 54-year old, former DJ and now musician, producer, and designer is a big vintage watch fan, a passion he’s indulged in for more than three decades.
Together, they have created the Carrera Fragment, officially called the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Fragment Limited Edition by Hiroshi Fujiwara. Even though the ‘Godfather of Harajuku’ may be best known for his experimental spirit, the replica watch that has created is a slightly modified redesign of the original ref. 2447NT from 1963 – a fitting celebration for Carrera’s 55th birthday.  
The 2447NT is one of the most iconic vintage watches. Released the same year as a certain Daytona, the two fake watches actually have some similar elements, such as their Singer-made dials and Valjoux-based movements. They both have the exact same baton-style hour markers and tri-complex layout for the sub-dials. The main difference lies in the bezels, the Rolex model famously engraved its bezel with a tachymeter scale, the Heuer omitted the surround altogether to make a cleaner, dressier look.
It may not be as commonly recognized, but the Carrera 2447NT carries great significance in the history of both fake TAG Heuer and sports watches in general. Wisely, with all that legacy to work with, Fujiwara has only altered a few elements, in a way to enhance the retro appeal of his subject, rather than overpower it totally.
Put the two replica watches side by side, perhaps the most notable difference is the size. The first one is 36mm in diameter, the new one has a more 21st century friendly, 39mm case diameter. Except this, everything is pleasantly similar, from the beautifully sculpted and faceted lugs to the large unguarded crown flanked by two simple pushers, all put into an elegantly-curved stainless steel case.
What protects the black opaline dial is a vintage domed sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflective finish on both sides. The rhodium-plated hour and minute hands are filled with faux-aged, beige Super LumiNova, as are the tiny square hour markers. In fact, the only thing that differentiates it from the original is a pair of very unobtrusive insignia – the ‘Fragment’ name printed in small letters between the 4 and 5 o’clock markers, and the brand’s logo (which some likened it to two lightning bolts humping), placed right below the 12 o’clock.
The minimalist decor is a clear sign of Fujiwara’s devotion to the Carrera, and earlier this year, Fujiwara teamed up with Bamford to launch a limited edition Zenith El Primero watch.