Ready to Race – the New TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 Limited Edition Watch
Monday - 17 June 2024
Tag Heuer strengthens its ties to motorsport with another Carrera Chronograph x Porsche collaboration. This time the design incorporates black PVD finishes, a carbon forged tachymeter bezel and several nods to the successful Porsche 963 racing car design.
The TAG Heuer and Porsche partnership may be one of the watch industry’s strongest. This authentic alliance has been going for years, celebrating a rich history between the two, not to mention a passion for pushing the limits and design excellence. When the partnership was first forged, the then CEO of TAG Heuer highlighted the significance of the partnership in what can only be considered a very fast-paced industry, where the dynamics between timekeeping and sport are continually changing:
“TAG Heuer and Porsche have common history and values, of course, but more importantly, we share an attitude. Like Porsche, we are disruptors at heart, always in pursuit of high performance. With this alliance, TAG Heuer and Porsche finally come together officially after decades of close encounters and will create unmatched experiences and products for customers and fans that are passionate about both our brands and what we stand for.”
The chosen vehicle for this latest design, predicted to be another huge success in the TAG Heuer and Porsche story, is no other than the Carrera Chronograph itself. The name is synonymous with precision timekeeping but is also a name that Porsche bears a close relationship with. It was, after all, the Carrera name that the famous car manufacturer chose for its powerful engines, having secured a win at the Carrera Panamericana race back in 1954. TAG Heuer has a similar story to tell. Jack Heuer chose this same name for his classic chronograph design, having been inspired by the race and hearing of its thrilling, high-speed reputation. As it turned out, the Mexican automobile race proved too dangerous. After a total of 24 fatalities over the course of its five-year run, the race finished in 1954, unlike the success of the Carrera watch, of course, which has stood the test of time right from its birth back in 1963.
The new TAG Heuer x Carrera X Porsche 963, not only communicates TAG Heuer’s powerful mindset and a shared passion for motorsport heritage with Porsche, but it also celebrates the lasting bond between both entities. The Swiss watchmaker and car manufacturer have been crossing paths for over seven decades. Their pursuit of excellence and success attracts one another with an innate magnetism. This natural gravitation towards one another has resulted in several collaborative watches over the years. The two are also bound by their history of the Le Mans race. The 24-hour race is a legendary event that Porsche has experienced great success in, with win after win – a goal of 19 to be precise. The latest car design to compete at the race is the Porsche 963, which TAG named its new Carrera Limited Edition watch after. It features a Multimatic chassis and an advanced combustion engine that can run on renewable fuel. That particular model takes inspirational cues from the earlier Porsche 918 Spyder – a solid road car.
As one would come to expect of any collaborative effort between TAG Heuer and motorsport, the design of the new Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 watch blends horological engineering with elements of quintessential Porsche craftsmanship. Take, for example, the sub-dials against the model’s skeletonised dial. They incorporate four Super-LumiNova blocks that illuminate in a rich glow at night to echo the LED lights on the Porsche 911’s profile. The same luminous material has been used for the date window at 6H. The tubular elements on the dial are another nod to a Porsche chassis, with vivid elements of red that evoke the excitement and adrenaline experienced on the racetrack. The fact that the dial is so well illuminated at night ties in well with the conditions associated with the Le Mans 24 Hour race and the requirements of the driver. A forged carbon bezel frames the dial, mirroring the lightweight profile of the Porsche 963. A black 60-minute flange is also present, framing three black shimmery chronograph counters offering minutes, seconds and hours respectively at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. A splash of red also features at 4 o’clock as a nod to the race countdown timer.
Under the bonnet of this 43mm stainless steel case with sleek black PVD coated elements on the pushers and crown, is the Calibre TH20-00, which comprises a vertical clutch arrangement, together with a personalised red column wheel and a steering wheel-inspired oscillating mass. Lastly, the rubber strap on the watch is inspired by the low-drag air inlets often seen on Porsche racing cars. The red, black and white decorated design is limited to just 963 pieces worldwide as a reference to its inspiration. Other tasteful nods in the design of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 limited edition include the Porsche logo in luminescent material on the tachymeter bezel, and the Porsche 963 logo emblazoned across the surface of the watch’s black integrated rubber strap. A brushed steel folding clasp also secures the watch to the wrist comfortably. The watch also features a special limited edition engraving on the caseback and a 3D Porsche logo upon a hollowed side of the 100-meter water-resistant case.
If you’d like to order one of these special TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 limited edition designs, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453 today or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk
