First look: the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963

This weekend, on Saturday the 15th, we will be attending 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. Although 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 a sponsor of Porsche. In a new step in the Porsche x TAG Heuer connection, the brand is releasing one of the most modern and daring versions of its racing chronograph, paying tribute to the car that competes in the endurance race. Here is the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963.

The name Carrera at TAG Heuer has incredible relevance in the field of motorsport. The name already has a strong connection to racing, as it is named after the legendary Carrera Panamericana race… which also happens to be a name long associated with Porsche and its 356 and 911 race cars. Since then, both names have been synonymous with racing and passion, but it would not be until 2021 that the connection between these two equally important icons would be sealed with the collaboration between TAG Heuer and Porsche. Since then, several Porsche-inspired TAG models have emerged. The latest yet is linked to endurance racing and is also the boldest and most modern yet.

As a race that revolves around advanced technology (the Porsche 963, like all cars in the LMH and LMDh categories, uses hybrid technology) and endurance on the track, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 reflects this with a great, sporty and technical inspiration. Don’t expect historical references or a vintage look like the current Glassbox Carrera Chronograph here. This 963-inspired Carrera is a statement watch with a large modular, angular case and an openwork dial.

The Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is a large and contemporary sports watch with appeal. The case has a diameter of 44 mm, a height of 15 mm and a length of almost 50 mm, and feels nice on the wrist. Thanks to the curved strap and the shape of the case, it is not uncomfortable, but certainly not a watch that will fly under the radar. It has visual impact. The design also feels like a mix of new and familiar elements, somehow looking back to previous generations of the Carrera with the Heuer-01 movement (the Biver era), but with an overall better look.

This case, with a racing appearance, is quite complex. Made largely of stainless steel, it has recessed sides, framed by an uncoated steel line with an interior grained surface coated with black PVD. The left side has a Porsche signature in contrasting silver color and the right side has a black coated crown and pushers. In the same vein, the fixed bezel with tachymeter scale is made of forged carbon, with the Porsche logo in luminous print. Classic faceted Carrera cams are present, with a new center link engraved with 963 and a belt joint that mimics the NACA air intakes found on most race cars.

Like modern and racing-oriented versions of the Monaco, this new Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 relies on an openwork dial with a complex architecture – a polarizing look that some will love, while some will prefer a more classic closed dial. Using round shapes and a radial spider web (said to be reminiscent of the chassis of a Porsche racing car), the dial retains a classic tri-compax display with closed sub-dials, ensuring legibility is not compromised. Several details to note; the white Super-LumiNova block indexes, with a red one at 4 o’clock to indicate the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, red accents on the hands of the chronograph and a date display with SLN coating… With the idea of ​​a watch that is also easy to use at night… practical for a 24-hour race.

No surprises under the sapphire back, because we have the in-house caliber TH20-00, also known as Heuer-02. This integrated, automatic movement is based on a column wheel and vertical clutch architecture, for jump-free start of the chronograph function. It has a power reserve of 80 hours, is lightly decorated on the back and has a rotor in the shape of a Porsche steering wheel. The watch is worn on a black integrated rubber strap, closed by a folding clasp with micro-adjustment.

Availability and price

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 will be released as a limited edition of 963 individually numbered copies and will be available immediately. CHF 9,000. It comes in Porsche-style packaging, complete with a travel case. For more information, visit tagheuer.com.