TAG Heuer, Bamford Watch Department, and Team Ikuzawa have released the Carrera Chronograph x Team Ikuzawa, a limited-edition timepiece inspired by 1970s and ’80s pit-lane stopwatches. Limited to 150 numbered pieces, the watch is available now for $10,500 in the US and £8,850 in the UK.
The collaboration marks a second lap for the trio following an initial 2023 project that was restricted to the Japanese market. While that first effort featured a 44 mm case, this new release utilizes a 39 mm “Glassbox” format, creating a distinct shift in scale and design philosophy.
Roadmaster Aesthetics and the Glassbox Case
The creative direction for the timepiece was drawn directly from the Team Ikuzawa archives, specifically the handheld Heuer Roadmaster stopwatches used in pit lanes during the 1970s and 1980s. To mimic the high legibility of those vintage timers, the watch employs a bezel-free construction with a domed sapphire crystal that flows over the dial.
The dial features a white Clou de Paris hobnail texture. In a departure from the standard Carrera Chronograph line, TAG Heuer replaced applied hour markers with printed numerals to reinforce the instrument-like feel of the Roadmaster. Bold red accents appear on the lacquered hour and minute hands, the central chronograph seconds hand, and the date disc.
A standout feature is the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, which utilizes a high-contrast red and white roulette design. This focus on chronograph functionality is a deliberate nod to the tool-watch heritage of the brand and the specific needs of racing teams.
TH20-10 Movement and Dial Layout
Under the hood, the watch runs the in-house Calibre TH20-10 automatic chronograph, featuring a column wheel, vertical clutch, and an 80-hour power reserve. However, the movement’s layout has been modified for this collaboration; it intentionally omits the running seconds sub-dial typically found at 6 o’clock.
This omission creates open real estate at the bottom of the dial, allowing the Team Ikuzawa signature to be placed front and center.
The caseback is custom sapphire, engraved with the individual issue number alongside the names of Team Ikuzawa and Bamford Watch Department.
Pit Garage Packaging and Racing Accessories
The presentation of the watch extends the racing theme beyond the timepiece itself. Each unit is delivered inside a red toolbox designed to emulate those found in a pit garage, accompanied by a travel pouch and branded charms.
- Seven-row steel bracelet: The standard attachment featuring both brushed and polished finishes.
- Perforated white leather: Featuring red stitching inspired by classic driving gloves.
- Red-and-white textile: A striped strap echoing the official Team Ikuzawa racing livery.
The collaboration also extends into apparel. Team Ikuzawa, TAG Heuer, and Bamford Watch Department produced a mechanic’s jacket modeled after real race crew uniforms. Made from blended cotton twill, the jacket includes pleated button cuffs, waist tabs, and embroidered patches from all three collaborators.
The Legacy of Tetsu and Mai Ikuzawa
The partnership is rooted in the history of Tetsu Ikuzawa, who founded Team Ikuzawa in 1981. A pioneer of Japanese motorsport, Tetsu won the 1964 Japan Grand Prix in a Skyline GT and became the first Japanese driver to compete at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1967. He wore Heuer watches during his racing career, providing the historical foundation for the current partnership.
The team is now led by his daughter, Mai Ikuzawa, who serves as Team Principal and Creative Director. She has evolved the outfit from a pure racing team into a cultural project that merges motorsport with design and fashion. This evolution is reflected in the watch’s design, which blends vintage utility with contemporary “Glassbox” styling.
Given the strict limit of 150 pieces worldwide, the release is expected to sell out quickly through TAG Heuer boutiques and authorized retailers.
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