We have a look today at the first piece from the new collaboration between Porsche and TAG Heuer – the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition. The watch brings elements from the worlds of both manufacturers. The article has a large gallery with detailed products pictures and lifestyle shots.
Objects of desires, both cars and watches have born passions and obsessions. A race track, the no speed limit Autobahn, the usual asphalt or even off-road – there is an immense joy to drive a cool car. Automatic, hand-wound, time only, chronograph, perpetual calendar – there is no way a watch lover will have an empty wrist. But what if you combine both worlds? The answer is relatively simple: they go usually “hand in hand”. From the first gentlemen driver until now, watches, in a form or another, were used to measure the capabilities of automobiles. So there is no wonder that brands of cars and brands of watches started to work together to bring a complex and complete experience. Some of these collaborations span over decades and are intertwined with events and people. One of these close relationships is the Porsche with TAG Heuer.
When TAG Heuer sent me the press release of the new watch, I have already made a plan for the photoshoot. Being close to Stuttgart, the birthplace of Porsche, I wanted to use the occasion to combine “the watch” with “the car”. So when Marc from TAG Heuer sent me the watch (thank you!), Unfortunately, the pandemic situation did not allow us the freedom to do the indoor pictures. So we had to resort to outdoor only.
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition is part of the brand’s Carrera Calibre Heuer 02 line. So we find the familiar case lines with sharp angles and brushed/polished surfaces. Cased in a 44mm steel case, the watch is imposing. The first time on the wrist, I was a bit taken by surprise with its heavier than expected feel. The caseband presents a mirror polish that extends on the side of the lugs. The lugs inner chamfer and in between surface is also polished. The top view presents a vertical brushing.
The black ceramic bezel has a satin-brushed face with engraved indexes, a polished inclined surface that bears the tachymeter register and the PORSCHE engraving with automaker’s specific font and red colour. The side of the bezel is satin-brushed. A nice touch is represented by the red lacquered detail on the crown and black accents on the chron-pushers. The crown presents the TAG Heuer logo. The crown’s grip is excellent. The pushers have good feedback, although the required actuating force is quite high. TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition comes with a very interesting and racing oriented dial face. Besides the powerful statement of the red Porsche engraving on the bezel, the dial reminds me of tarmac – the dial’s surface is a dark grey, asphalt looking finish. The watch uses large Arabic numerals from 05 to 60 for each fifth position for excellent legibility of the central chronograph seconds. As another applied element is the large TAG Heuer logo. The dial layout was arranged in a “Y” setting with 30 minutes chronograph counter on the right side and 12 hours totaliser on the left side. The subdials present an inclined register with white printed indexes. The inner side presents a circular pattern with red accents sapping over 5 minutes indication. The baton hand presents a red tip. The chronograph’s hour sub-dial has a similar construction but a different approach for the red accents. Due to the large area taken by the indications, the 3 and 9 o’clock position are displayed with triangular applied index, also with a generous lume. The running seconds is simpler, in comparison with the chrono’s indicators but holds, in addition, a small aperture that reveals the white on black themed date. We can also notice the Heuer 02 printing along with the 80 hours statement.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02 Porsche Special Edition is powered by the brand’s spectacular Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic. The movement can be seen in more details in The Naked Watchmaker’s deconstruction of Autavia article. Calibre Heuer 02 is manufactured in the brand’s Chevenez manufacture. The movement comprises a 4Hz beater and a single barrel but manages to offer 80 hours of power reserve. TAG Heuer makes a step further and instead of using the Heuer 02 as simple as possible, it personalises with small details for each model of the collection. For instance, the column wheel was decorated in red. The black rotor bears the name of the brand, “TAG Heuer” and the “Porsche” print along with the calibre’s own name.
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition is a very interesting watch that wants to conquer the heart of watches’ lovers but also cars enthusiasts. Regardless of its relatively large dimensions, the watch is a nice wrist companion, regardless the gender. It was a bit unexpected to find that Diana enjoys it a lot, especially due to the racing theme elements: she particularly likes the asphalt finish of the dial and the red accents. She stated that the watch seems to be very versatile for a sports watch, and I quote: “you don’t need to drive Porsche to enjoy this watch. It is not all about driving, it is a cute watch to be enjoyed every day“. I think that TAG Heuer nailed a perfect collaboration piece: the asphalt themed dial reminds me of the pleasure of driving, the red accents and Porsche elements make me tink at the desired cars from the German manufacturer.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition stands out in the Carrera collection due to its original and appealing details. It brings two worlds together in a balanced and recognisable way. I congratulate both brands for the collaboration and I am curious to see what other marvels will the future reveal.
TAG Heuer is launching today the new Tag Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition 44 mm Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic, a timepiece available in two variations – with leather strap or steel bracelet – to celebrate the new partnership between the Swiss brand and Porsche, the legendary Stuttgart-based sportscar manufacturer (you can read more about the alliance in this article).
