TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963

This weekend, Saturday the 15th, we will be taking part in one of the most legendary car races of all time, the 101st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And just like in Formula 1, watches are everywhere. While Rolex is the official timekeeper of the event, many watch brands also sponsor teams such as Moser and Alpine, Richard Mille and Ferrari and of course TAG Heuer as Porsche sponsor. As the next step in the Porsche x TAG Heuer partnership, the brand is releasing one of its most modern and daring versions of its racing chronographs as a tribute car to endurance racing competitors. Here is the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963.

The Carrera name at TAG Heuer has incredible significance in the field of motorsport. Its name already has a strong association with racing, being named after the legendary Carrera Panamericana… which also happens to be a name long associated with Porsche and its 356 and 911 racing cars. Since then, both names have been synonymous with racing and passion, but only in 2021 will the connection between these two equally important icons be sealed with the partnership between TAG Heuer and Porsche. Since then, several Porsche-inspired TAG models have been born. The latest is associated with endurance racing and is also the boldest and most modern yet.

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 as a race that is based on state-of-the-art technology (Porsche 963, as well as all cars of the LMH and LMDh categories, using hybrid technology) and endurance on the track, reflects this with great , sporting and technical inspiration. Don’t expect to see historical references or a vintage look here like the current Glassbox Carrera Chronograph. This 963-inspired Carrera watch is a bold watch with a large modular square case and an openwork dial.

The Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is a large and modern sports watch with presence. Its case measures 44mm in diameter, 15mm in height and nearly 50mm in length and feels great on the wrist. The curved strap and case shape keep it from being uncomfortable, but certainly not a watch that will fly under the radar. It has a visual impact. The design also feels like a mix of fresh and familiar elements, and sort of looks back to the previous generations of the Carrera with the Heuer-01 movement (Biver era), but has a better look overall.

This case with the racing atmosphere is quite complex. Predominantly stainless steel, it has recessed sides, framed by an uncoated steel line with an internal grain finish coated with black PVD. The left side has the Porsche signature in contrasting silver and the right side has a black coated crown and buttons. In the same vein, a fixed bezel with a tachymeter scale with the Porsche logo in luminescent print is made of forged carbon. Classic Carrera faceted lugs are present with a new 963-engraved center link and strip connection that mimics the NACA vents found on most race cars.

Just like the modern and racing versions of the Monaco, this new Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 sports an openwork dial with intricate architecture – a polarizing look that some will love, while others prefer a more classic closed dial. Using circular shapes and a radial-style webbing (said to resemble the chassis of Porsche racing cars), the dial retains the classic tricompax display with closed sub-dials, ensuring legibility is not affected. A few details to note; white Super-LumiNova block indexes, with red at 4 o’clock marking the start of the 24h Le Mans, red accents on the chronograph hands and SLN coated date… With the idea of ​​having a watch that can be easily used even at night… practical for a 24 hour race.

No surprises under the sapphire back, as we have the in-house caliber TH20-00, also known as the Heuer-02. This integrated automatic movement relies on a column wheel and vertical clutch architecture to seamlessly trigger the chronograph function. It boasts a power reserve of 80 hours, is lightly decorated on the back and has a rotor shaped like a Porsche steering wheel. The watch is worn on a black integrated rubber strap, fastened with a micro-adjustment folding clasp.

Availability & Price

Released as a limited edition of 963 individually numbered pieces and available immediately, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 will be priced at CHF 9,000. Comes in Porsche-style packaging, including a travel case. Please visit tagheuer.com for more details.