In a remarkable collaboration that began in 2021, TAG Heuer and Porsche united in a global partnership, celebrating their history and values of quality, innovation, and prestige. Together, they proudly present their new showstopper: the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche, designed in two versions. This launch pays homage to the momentous celebration of the 60th anniversaries of the TAG Heuer Carrera collection as well as the Porsche 911 (originally called 901).
Merging elements from both the watch and the car, these timepieces offer an unparalleled timekeeping experience. With the new release, speed and precision converge, capturing the essence of the original Porsche 901’s remarkable achievement: reaching 0-100 km/h in a mere 9.1 seconds, an enhanced milestone as the history of the 911 unfolds.
“This watch perfectly encapsulates the essence of the motorsport universe which is a shared value in our partnership with Porsche. We have seamlessly merged the heritage of the 911 and the TAG Heuer Carrera, leveraging cutting-edge technology and unique design. It is a testament to our shared values of precision, innovation, and a deep appreciation for our respective histories” said Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer.
The Power of Precision
Since its groundbreaking introduction in 1963, the Porsche 911 has captivated enthusiasts with its unwavering commitment to performance, precision, and innovation. This iconic vehicle further astonished by its 100 km/h acceleration in just 9.1 seconds, completing the power, agility, and engineering prowess of the early 911.
The Porsche 911’s impressive acceleration highlighted Porsche’s commitment to performance and innovation. It paved the way for future generations of the 911, pushing boundaries, setting new records for speed and driving dynamics.
In 1963, the Heuer Carrera made its debut. It was a carefully thought-out design and a clear expression of Jack’s philosophy. Inspired by the iconic Carrera Panamericana race, Jack Heuer decided it was the perfect name for a watch with a racing spirit, useful and functional, featuring a clean and legible design, without extraneous elements that would distract the wearer’s gaze.
60 years later, in 2023, TAG Heuer once again pays tribute to Porsche’s exceptional speed achievement. Bringing to life revolutionary designs and conceptual timepieces, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche watches stand out. Both the Steel and the Gold Editions celebrate the iconic status of the Porsche 911 and its remarkable performance heritage, fusing the spirit of Porsche’s groundbreaking achievements with TAG Heuer’s unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Golden acceleration, Steel precision
Designed for precise measurements of short time intervals, the TH20-08 movement mirrors Porsche 901’s acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. Its central hand accelerates swiftly, gradually decelerates over 60 seconds, and quickly restarts. The chosen design ensures clear legibility of the dial.
The movement’s unique mechanism features two snail-shaped wheels, creating a captivating decelerating motion for the central hand. These wheels are crafted with state-of-the-art technology, the so-called LiGA process widely used in the MEMS industry. The TH20-08 represents TAG Heuer’s commitment to precision, craftsmanship, and captivating design, setting a new standard in watchmaking.
Metallic Marvels
Crafted with sleekness, assertiveness, and remarkable memorability, the envisioned duo of timepieces not only pays homage to their illustrious past but also exudes an even more exhilarating essence. These timepieces come in both steel and gold versions, each exuding a unique design concept.
The dial of these watches captivates with a visual representation of speed and acceleration. Red lines on the flange mirror the 0-100 km/h achievement in just 9.1 seconds, paying homage to the very first Porsche 911. This dynamic element adds a sense of movement and energy to the timepiece.
Adding a touch of automotive inspiration, further subtle red details can be found throughout the watch. The 6 o’clock subdial features a reference to the iconic dashboard of the 1970s Porsche, where the area around 50 km/h was often highlighted to indicate the recommended speed in urban areas.
An additional nod to the rich sportscar heritage lies in the red portion of the 9 o’clock subdial. It serves as a reminder of the critical engine limit beyond which damage may occur. It’s not by chance that TAG Heuer chose to place the red line at 6.8 hours. It refers to the limit of 6800 revolution per minute. Not to be overlooked, the counter hands of the watch draw inspiration from the shape of a car dashboard, completing the cohesive automotive design aesthetic.
Adding to the delightful surprises, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche takes innovation to new heights with its double glassbox. It is called “glassbox” for its domed, curved, crystal glass, paying homage to similarly domed hesalite crystal designs from the 1970s. Reengineered to have a curve that flows seamlessly over the tachymeter scale, it runs along the edge of the dial, blending into the case.
This innovative design, a first for the TAG Heuer Carrera, offers an easy reading of the indications on the dial via the front glass and a captivating view of the watch’s intricate mechanics through the caseback glass. The caseback features a specially crafted dedicated mass designed to replicate the iconic three-spoke steering wheel of Porsche.
Both watches will feature a calfskin leather strap, in brown for the gold edition and in black for the steel edition, with the embossed original number “911” on the strap, paying homage to Porsche and resonating with enthusiasts and connoisseurs of the iconic sports car.
The steel version boasts a silver shimmery dial & flange, while the gold edition exudes a refined elegance with its beige shimmery dial & flange. These two unique timepieces are each presented in specially designed, co-branded TAG Heuer x Porsche packaging with subtle touches of gold and steel reminiscent of the watches.
In a seamless fusion of horological mastery and automotive excellence, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche represents the pinnacle of collaboration between two legendary brands. With a shared commitment to excellence, performance, and timeless design, TAG Heuer and Porsche once again highlight their common history and passion for racing.
Together, they created more than just a watch; a true symbol of their passion and expertise. These timepieces embody the spirit of speed, precision, and enduring legacy, serving as a tangible testament to the unwavering pursuit of excellence.
About TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer, founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland, is a luxury watch brand that is part of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (“LVMH”), the world’s leading luxury group. Based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and with four production sites, TAG Heuer has 1,860 employees and is active in 139 countries. TAG Heuer products are available online at www.tagheuer.com for select countries and in 260 boutiques and 2,300 points of sale worldwide. The company is headed up by Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer.
For 163 years, TAG Heuer has demonstrated pure avant-garde watchmaking spirit and a commitment to innovation with revolutionary technologies that have included the oscillating pinion for mechanical stopwatches in 1887, the Mikrograph in 1916, the first automatic-winding chronograph movement – Calibre 11 – in 1969, and the first luxury smartwatch in 2015. Today, the brand’s core collection consists of three iconic families designed by Jack Heuer – TAG Heuer Carrera, Monaco, and Autavia – and is rounded out with the contemporary TAG Heuer Link, Aquaracer, Formula 1, and Connected lines.
Embodying TAG Heuer’s motto, “Don’t Crack Under Pressure,” are prominent partnerships and brand ambassadors that express the brand’s passion for action and high performance.