£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 represents an impressive translation of automotive heritage into wristwear, embodying true innovation rather than mere variation on established horological themes.
Presented on a brushed stainless steel bracelet with secure 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 to create 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 collection 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 represented 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.
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. 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, representing one of the most significant design departures in the brand’s modern era.
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. 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 and completely transforming 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 genuine tactile connection to automotive control interfaces. This ergonomic approach to chronograph operation stands in sharp contrast to side-mounted pushers that have dominated chronograph design for nearly a century. The SLR demonstrates how TAG Heuer once approached collaborative limited editions with genuine creative freedom, with the triple aperture day-date display, vertical striped dial texture, and titanium accents all reflecting specific design elements from the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, creating a timepiece that genuinely translates automotive design language into wearable form.
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 utilises modular construction where the chronograph mechanism sits atop a robust automatic base, creating distinctive characteristics in daily wear.
The pusher action exhibits crisp, positive engagement with minimal play, a satisfying mechanical interaction that enthusiasts particularly appreciate. The chronograph hands respond with immediate precision when activated, without hesitation sometimes found in less refined movements, while the reset function returns all hands precisely to zero with consistent accuracy. The Calibre 17 strikes an ideal balance between technical sophistication and practical ownership, creating a chronograph that delivers authentic mechanical satisfaction without maintenance concerns or fragility sometimes associated with more complex movements.
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz collection occupies a fascinating position in the brand’s production history, representing genuine rarity without artificial scarcity sometimes created by numbered limited editions. 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 but discontinued in the mid-2010s as these corporate relationships evolved.
Market observations provide empirical evidence of the SLR’s scarcity, with the reference appearing infrequently on the secondary market—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 pre-owned market, making the SLR collection genuinely scarce rather than artificially limited.
The TAG Heuer SLR Mercedes Benz collection represents one of horology’s most authentic automotive collaborations, with connections to motorsport heritage extending far beyond superficial branding exercises. 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 the era when Mercedes Benz engines powered McLaren to create one of motorsport’s most dominant combinations. The watch translates these automotive connections into tangible design features: top-mounted chronograph pushers referencing paddle shifters, vertical striped dial texture echoing engine components and SLR McLaren grille design, triple date aperture mirroring dashboard instrumentation, and mixed materials reflecting 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, 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 flow directly into the bracelet without extending overall case length excessively, reducing 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. 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 immediate recognisability of Carrera, Monaco or Aquaracer lines.
This relative anonymity among casual observers has limited 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, with primary appeal divided between automotive enthusiasts, TAG Heuer collectors, and design-oriented watch buyers, creating 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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