£2,400.00
In stock
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz is one of the world’s most distinctive motorsport inspired timepieces. Having been built as a tribute to the legendary Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren supercar, this exceptional chronograph is an impressive representation of automotive heritage translated into wristwear. Presented on a brushed stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp, this substantial 47mm watch features a unique case design with top mounted pushers reminiscent of paddle shifters, a titanium bezel with tachymeter scale, and a striking silver dial with vertical striping.
Developed during TAG Heuer’s partnership with Mercedes Benz and McLaren Formula 1, this limited production model represents a rare collaboration piece that goes beyond mere branding. The watch is powered by the TAG Heuer Calibre 17 automatic movement, which drives the chronograph functions, distinctive triple aperture day date display at 6 o’clock, and provides approximately 42 hours of power reserve. Discontinued in the mid 2010s, it has since become a sought after collector’s item for those who appreciate authentic motorsport DNA.
Condition: Good pre-owned condition
Includes: Complete box set with original purchase receipt
Guarantee: Original warranty dated 2013
Shipping: Free UK delivery
The TAG Heuer SLR has a fascinating development history, beginning in 2004 with the release of the CAD5110 available exclusively to purchasers of the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren supercar. This initial offering was perhaps the most unusual looking timepiece TAG Heuer had ever produced, reflecting the groundbreaking design philosophy of the vehicle it accompanied. After a two year gap, TAG Heuer launched a completely new watch under the “SLR for Mercedes Benz” name, creating a more accessible collection for enthusiasts who appreciated the automotive connection but couldn’t obtain the ultra exclusive original.
The entire collection traces its heritage to a unique moment in motorsport history when TAG Heuer enjoyed deep connections with Mercedes through their associations with the McLaren Formula 1 team and former TAG Heuer owners Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh. While the 47mm case specification might initially suggest an overwhelming presence, the measurement actually includes the angled pushers, making the effective case size closer to 44 45mm a substantial but wearable dimension for a watch with such presence.
Discontinued in the mid 2010s as partnerships evolved, the SLR collection has since achieved cult status among collectors who appreciate its authentic motorsport connections, unconventional design, and relative rarity compared to mainstream TAG Heuer offerings. The CAG2011.BA0254 represents one of the most balanced executions in the collection, combining distinctive design elements with everyday wearability.
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz represents one of the most significant design departures in the brand’s modern era, embodying true innovation rather than mere variation on established themes. What makes this chronograph particularly fascinating is how its unconventional elements derive directly from automotive engineering principles rather than traditional watchmaking aesthetics.
Most immediately noticeable are the top mounted chronograph pushers angled at approximately 30 degrees from horizontal, mimicking the paddle shifters found in high performance vehicles. This positioning completely transforms the user experience beyond mere visual distinction. When activating the chronograph, the natural thumb motion feels remarkably similar to triggering a paddle shifter in a performance car, creating a genuine tactile connection to automotive control interfaces. This ergonomic approach to chronograph operation stands in sharp contrast to the side mounted pushers that have dominated chronograph design for nearly a century.
Perhaps most significantly, the SLR demonstrates how TAG Heuer once approached collaborative limited editions with genuine creative freedom rather than simple colour variations or logo placements. The triple aperture day date display at 6 o’clock, vertical striped dial texture, and titanium accents all reflect specific design elements from the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, creating a timepiece that genuinely translates automotive design language into wearable form. This approach to cross industry design collaboration represents a creative high point in TAG Heuer’s modern catalogue, establishing the SLR as a significant milestone in the brand’s design evolution.
The TAG Heuer Calibre 17 powering the SLR Mercedes Benz represents one of modern horology’s most reliable chronograph movements, delivering several practical advantages that become apparent through extended ownership. Based on the proven ETA 2894-2 architecture, this movement takes a different approach to chronograph design compared to integrated calibres, utilising a modular construction where the chronograph mechanism sits atop a robust automatic base.
In daily wear, this modular approach manifests in several noticeable characteristics. The pusher action exhibits a distinctive crisp, positive engagement with minimal play a satisfying mechanical interaction that enthusiasts particularly appreciate. The chronograph hands respond with immediate precision when activated, without the hesitation sometimes found in less refined movements. The reset function returns all hands precisely to zero with consistent accuracy, reflecting the movement’s quality construction and adjustment.
For collectors, the Calibre 17 strikes an ideal balance between technical sophistication and practical ownership creating a chronograph that delivers authentic mechanical satisfaction without the maintenance concerns or fragility sometimes associated with more complex movements. This reliable heartbeat ensures the SLR remains not just a distinctive design statement but a genuinely functional timing instrument throughout decades of ownership.
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz collection occupies a fascinating position in the brand’s production history, representing genuine rarity without the artificial scarcity sometimes created by numbered limited editions. While TAG Heuer never officially disclosed production figures, several factors contribute to the SLR’s relative scarcity in today’s market.
The collection’s manufacturing timeline coincided with significant transitions in TAG Heuer’s corporate structure and strategic direction. Introduced during the brand’s partnership with Mercedes Benz and McLaren Formula 1, the SLR models experienced a relatively brief production window before these corporate relationships evolved. The entire collection was discontinued in the mid 2010s as TAG Heuer realigned its collaborations, resulting in a naturally limited production period far shorter than mainstream model lines.
Market observations provide empirical evidence of the SLR’s scarcity. The reference appears infrequently on the secondary market, with typically fewer than a dozen examples available globally at any given time across major watch trading platforms. This limited availability stands in stark contrast to standard production TAG Heuer models where hundreds of contemporary examples regularly circulate in the preowned market.
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz collection represents one of horology’s most authentic automotive collaborations, with connections to motorsport heritage that extend far beyond superficial branding exercises. Understanding these deep connections requires exploring several intertwined historical threads spanning decades of racing excellence.
The collection’s foundation rests upon TAG Heuer’s profound relationship with McLaren Formula 1, a partnership that began in 1985 when TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde) under Mansour Ojjeh acquired Heuer and simultaneously held significant ownership in the McLaren team. This wasn’t merely sponsorship but genuine corporate integration, with TAG Heuer’s parent company deeply involved in Formula 1 competition. During this golden era, the Mercedes Benz engines powering McLaren created one of motorsport’s most dominant combinations.
The watch collection translates these automotive connections into tangible design features. The top mounted chronograph pushers directly reference paddle shifters used in contemporary Formula 1 cars. The vertical striped dial texture echoes both engine components and the distinctive front grille design of the SLR McLaren. The triple date aperture at 6 o’clock mirrors dashboard instrumentation layouts. Even the combination of materials stainless steel with titanium accents reflects automotive engineering approaches combining different metals for optimal performance characteristics.
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz presents a fascinating case study in how dimensions alone fail to capture wearability. While its official 47mm diameter specification might suggest overwhelming proportions, several thoughtful design elements combine to create a substantially more balanced wearing experience than the numbers alone would indicate.
Most significantly, the measurement methodology includes the distinctive angled chronograph pushers in the stated diameter. Since these extend beyond the main case body at approximately 30 degree angles, they add several millimetres to the technical specification without affecting the effective case size against the wrist. When measured conventionally from edge to edge excluding these pushers, the case presents closer to 44/45mm. A substantial but considerably more wearable dimension.
The integrated lugs play a crucial role in effective sizing, flowing directly into the bracelet without extending the overall case length excessively. This integration reduces the critical lug to lug measurement that determines fit on the flat portion of the wrist. The bracelet attachment points position closer to the case than conventional designs, preventing the overhang that often makes large watches unwearable for average wrist sizes.
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz collection occupies a fascinating position in the modern watch market, representing exceptional value relative to its technical specifications, limited availability, and connection to automotive heritage. Several interrelated factors have contributed to its status as an underappreciated gem within TAG Heuer’s catalogue.
The collection’s unconventional design positioning has significantly influenced its market trajectory. Sitting outside TAG Heuer’s established model families and featuring distinctive aesthetic elements that depart from brand traditions, the SLR lacks the immediate recognizability of Carrera, Monaco or Aquaracer lines. This relative anonymity among casual observers has limited the speculative interest that often drives pricing in vintage watches, creating opportunities for knowledgeable collectors who appreciate its unique attributes.
Market fragmentation has further contributed to value retention rather than speculation. With primary appeal divided between automotive enthusiasts, TAG Heuer collectors, and design oriented watch buyers, the SLR lacks the concentrated collector base that typically drives rapid appreciation. This diffused interest creates a more stable ownership community focused on appreciation rather than investment. As collector appreciation for unusual designs and authentic automotive collaborations continues to grow, the SLR appears increasingly well positioned for deserved recognition.
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