TAG Heuer has introduced the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963, a captivating timepiece that celebrates the spirit of endurance racing and technological innovation. This exclusive collaboration with Porsche represents a unique bond rooted in motorsport heritage and a relentless pursuit of excellence
TAG Heuer and Porsche share a rich history, an independent and powerful mindset, and a dedication to functional design. Its origins begin at the legendary Carrera Panamericana race, reputed to be one of the most dangerous in the world. It inspired Porsche, which won its first-class victory at the Carrera Panamericana race in 1954, to name its most powerful engine variants Carrera. At the same time, Jack Heuer, chose to name his new 1963 chronograph Carrera, after hearing about the race’s highly evocative name from the racing driver Rodriguez brothers at the side of the infamous US racetrack Sebring in 1962.
Of course, another race with which both TAG Heuer and Porsche are historically connected is the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche’s history at Le Mans is legendary, having secured numerous victories over the years, making them the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race with 19 overall wins. The development of the Porsche 963, governed by the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona Hybrid) regulations, demonstrates this commitment to innovation. The Porsche 963 is the pinnacle of Porsche’s engineering expertise, based on a Multimatic chassis derived from the LMP2 category – a second edition Le Mans Prototype developed and designed to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It features an advanced combustion engine able to run on renewable fuels, with its origins in the Porsche 918 Spyder road car. The Porsche 963 has been gathering victories on many famous racetracks across the globe.
To celebrate the allure of endurance racing, its history and prowess, TAG Heuer has launched the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963, which embodies this drive for excellence. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is a remarkable timepiece inspired by the Porsche 963. Limited to just 963 pieces worldwide – a nod to the name of the racing car – each watch incorporates precision and performance, paying homage to Porsche’s racing heritage and dominance with elements that capture the excitement of endurance racing.
Blending automotive engineering with horology, the sub-dials feature four Super-LumiNova (SLN) blocks, drawing inspiration from Porsche’s innovative LED light design on the modern-day icon, the Porsche 911. In the dark, the SLN blocks on the dial, along with the SLN-coated date revealer, illuminate the Porsche-inspired design elements, enhancing the watch’s visual appeal and practicality. These elements ensure exceptional legibility in all conditions, resonating with the endurance of 24-hour races, as drivers will be racing day and night.
The positioning of the red indexes at 4 o’clock on the dial symbolises the excitement and adrenaline associated with the countdown to a race start, capturing the essence of competitive racing within the watch’s design language. Crafted with boldness and technical sophistication, the watch features a striking skeleton dial with tubular shapes reminiscent of Porsche’s racing car chassis – reflecting the minimalist yet robust construction seen in motorsport. The bezel, made from forged carbon, mirrors the lightweight, high-performance components of the Porsche 963, enhancing both aesthetics and the connection to motorsport.
High craftsmanship is evident with the in-house TH20-00 movement, featuring a personalised red column wheel, emphasising the technical savoir faire of this vertical clutch chronograph movement. The vertical position of the chronograph mechanism’s coupling, similar to the systems found in cars connecting the engine’s flywheel with the transmission, in the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 provides for a smooth and “jump-free“ actuation of the stopping function.
The watch’s rubber strap shape is inspired by the NACA-style low-drag air inlets, often featured on Porsche race cars all the way back to the record-breaking Porsche 917, adding a further subtle nod to the deep shared heritage in endurance racing. The colours chosen for the watch are the iconic racing colours of Porsche motorsport: white, red, and black.
TAG Heuer has integrated several distinctive Porsche elements into the design of the timepiece, which will delight Porsche fans. The bezel features a luminescent Porsche logo, allowing for legibility even in the dark, while the strap decor showcases the Porsche 963 logo. Additionally, the watch incorporates Porsche’s iconic steering wheel motif in the oscillating mass, and a Porsche logo in 3D on the side of the steel case, underscoring the integration of the car manufacturer inspired details.
Each TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is individually numbered XXX/963 and is presented in a dedicated packaging, complete with a travel pouch and a mention of its limited-edition status. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is the perfect testament to the spirit of endurance racing and the pursuit of perfection shared by Porsche and TAG Heuer.
