How TAG ended up with a Seiko-derived caliber
In 2009 TAG Heuer acquired the rights to a Seiko-developed automatic chronograph architecture, the TC-78, originally designed by Seiko for the Japanese market. TAG re-engineered approximately 50% of the components for the TAG Heuer production line in Chevenez, Switzerland, and launched the result as the Cal. 1887 in 2010. The name commemorates the year (1887) Edouard Heuer patented the oscillating pinion, the very mechanism this caliber uses for chronograph engagement.
Architecture
The 1887 is a column-wheel automatic chronograph with a lateral oscillating-pinion clutch (rather than the modern vertical clutch). It runs at 4 Hz with a 50-hour reserve and 39 jewels. The dial layout is the conventional tri-compax (running seconds at 9, 30-min counter at 12, 12-hour counter at 6, date at 3) inherited from the Seiko base. Compared to the Valjoux 7750 the 1887 is technically more refined: column-wheel instead of cam, longer reserve, more jewels, more upmarket finishing. Compared to the modern Heuer 02 the 1887 is older architecture (no vertical clutch, shorter reserve).
In every key Carrera 2010-2017
The 1887 powered most of the mechanical Carrera production from 2010 through about 2017: the Carrera Calibre 1887 41 mm and 43 mm references, including the famous "Jack Heuer 80th Birthday" Carrera, the Mikrograph variants, and a substantial run of Aquaracer Chrono and Monaco Chronograph variants. It also lived in some Link and Formula 1 chronographs. By 2017 TAG's development of the in-house Heuer 02 was complete and the 1887 began a gradual phase-out, although stock and certain references continued through 2019.
The TAG vs. Seiko controversy
When the 1887 launched in 2010, watch journalist Walt Odets and others noted that the architecture was clearly Seiko-derived, prompting some debate about the "in-house" claim. TAG Heuer's position was unambiguous: they had legally acquired the rights, re-engineered the components, and were producing the caliber from raw materials in Switzerland. By any reasonable definition this is "in-house manufacture", but the architectural pedigree is Japanese. The controversy has faded over the years; the 1887 is now widely accepted as a legitimate in-house TAG caliber.
Where it sits today
The 1887 is no longer in current production but is well-supported by TAG Heuer's service network. Carrera Calibre 1887 watches on the secondary market trade at USD 2,000-3,500 depending on reference and condition, representing strong value for an in-house Swiss chronograph at that price point. Service intervals at 5-7 years; full overhaul through TAG runs USD 600-900. The 1887 is a sensible used purchase for a buyer who wants a column-wheel automatic chronograph at a fraction of the cost of an Omega 9300 or Zenith El Primero.
