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TAG Heuer and the
Colours of Speed

Clean lines, neutral tones, full speed ahead: the TAG Heuer x Team Ikuzawa Carrera Chronograph surprises with its clean, understated design in the style of the 1960s and 1970s. That said: This successful watch design isn’t quite so surprising after all. That’s because it was created by Mai Ikuzawa. 

The London-based designer is not only Bentley’s creative director – she is also the daughter of Japanese racing legend Tetsu Ikuzawa.

  • Text
    Bernd Haase
  • Photos
    TAG Heuer

What are the ‘Colours of Racing’? TAG Heuer answers this question with red and white. These are the defining colours of the newly unveiled TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Team Ikuzawa. This marks the second collaboration between the renowned watch brand and London-based creative director Mai Ikuzawa. As with their first joint project in 2023, George Bamford and his Bamford Watch Department were once again involved in the design. He has applied Ikuzawa’s visual specifications to the current Carrera model with a 39-millimetre steel case.

Naturally, Mai Ikuzawa was influenced by her father, the Japanese racing legend Tetsu Ikuzawa. It’s just that it happened a little differently from how the classic narrative would have it.
The bezel-less glass box design offers an unobstructed view of the dial with its white Clou de Paris pattern, red accents on the hands and date disc, and the distinctive ‘Team Ikuzawa’ signature at six o’clock. It features a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock.

This is strongly reminiscent of classic Heuer racing chronographs, where space on the dial was often reserved for sponsors and racing teams. It is no coincidence that the historic Heuer Roadmaster chronograph was taken as a model and its design language reimagined. Of course, one could also put it very succinctly: as things stand, this chronograph is the finest racing watch of the year. And that’s no surprise. Why? A brief look back explains it.

When Mai Ikuzawa was born, her father, the Japanese racing legend Tetsu Ikuzawa, was battling for victory on the Fuji circuit. Her birth was announced over the track loudspeakers. It was only natural that his daughter would also be influenced by her father’s profession. However, things turned out somewhat differently from what traditional storytelling might suggest. She studied graphic design at Central Saint Martins in London and went on to become one of the world’s leading creative talents. Her mission as a brand consultant is to infuse the world’s leading brands in the automotive, action sports and luxury sectors with adrenaline and creative sharpness. She’s doing a brilliant job of it. Otherwise, Bentley wouldn’t have appointed her as creative director alongside photographer Greg Williams.

She also carries on her father’s legacy with both success and creativity. Today, Team Ikuzawa is not only a fixture at prestigious events such as the Goodwood Revival and the Baja Mexican 1000 grassroots race, but also stands, like few other brands, for the fusion of motorsport, art, fashion and luxury with contemporary aesthetics.

The TAG Heuer x Team Ikuzawa collaboration is a prime example of how this is achieved. Each watch is delivered in exclusive packaging inspired by the toolboxes found in racing workshops and pit lanes. In addition to the watch, the set includes two additional straps, a travel pouch and a collection of bespoke Team Ikuzawa pendants, designed to accompany keys and personal accessories.

1/5

This edition is limited to 150 individually numbered pieces and is available now.

→ TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph ‘Team Ikuzawa’


Bernd Haase

Bernd Haase

Editorial manager
He had a very clear career plan from a very early age: He wanted to be a rock star. Then he was allowed to join the school band. Because he wrote the lyrics (and because nobody, but really nobody, wanted to play bass). But it didn't last long. He switched basses with his father's Triumph Adler, realised that it also sounded nice, and decided to write about the dark side of the music business. But it turned out to be an internship at the local newspaper. Stayed quite a long time. It was much more exciting than I thought. After that, I worked as an editor for various newspapers, covering the finer things from cinema to music to travel. I also came across ramp. And stayed. It really is as exciting as I thought.

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