TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition

Partners in Time

In 1963, two legends were born: Swiss watchmaker Heuer launched the Carrera chronograph, and German sports car manufacturer Porsche introduced the 911. Fans eventually dubbed the latter the "Carrera" as well. Both the chronograph and the car are named after the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, one of the most dangerous road races in the world.

In 2021, TAG Heuer presented the Carrera X Porsche Chronograph Special Edition, the first variants based on the Carrera stainless steel model launched the previous year. In terms of design, however, the watches are inspired by the current Porsche 911 Carrera. These timepieces feature a gray dial with asphalt decor, a black ceramic bezel with red Porsche lettering, and Arabic numerals reminiscent of those on a Porsche speedometer.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 911 and the Carrera Chronograph, TAG Heuer added new models to the Carrera X Porsche Chronograph collection in 2023 with the additional designation of "Chronosprint". The design of these variants is much more restrained than that of their predecessors and is more reminiscent of the look of original Carrera watches from the 1960s. The top model in the line is made of rose gold.

Inside the TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche ticks an automatic in-house caliber Heuer 02, TH20-08, or TH20-00, depending on the reference. Each of these movements offers a power reserve of 80 hours. The movements rotor mimics the Porsche steering wheel. Other features include a vertical clutch and column gear shift.

Watches in the Carrera X Porsche collection are water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft), making them suitable for swimming.

Reasons to Buy a TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche Chronograph

• Carrera chronographs from TAG Heuer and Porsche
• Sporty look on the wrist
• Automatic in-house caliber with a 80-hour power reserve
• Stainless steel or rose gold case
• Water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft)

Prices at a Glance: Carrera X Porsche Chronograph

How much does a TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche cost?

As of summer 2024, the price of the most affordable TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche was approximately 6,000 USD. This level of investment will get you the 44-mm stainless steel ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492 presented in 2021, for example. If you'd prefer a 42-mm timepiece, look for a 2023 variant. Ref. CBS2011.FC6529 is also made of stainless steel. Expect to spend about 8,800 USD on one of these models.

At the upper end of the price spectrum is a rose gold variant from 2023. This exclusive timepiece bears the reference number CBS2040.FC8318 and will set you back about 22,400 USD.

The Carrera X Porsche Chronograph in Detail

The most important features of the TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche Chronograph ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492 presented in 2021 are the dial with asphalt decoration, the Arabic numerals from 05 to 60, and the red Porsche lettering on the black ceramic bezel. The bezel also features a tachymeter scale for calculating speeds on the racetrack.

Luminous material coats the Arabic numerals and the hour and minute hands, making the watch easy to read at night. The minute counter is located at 3 o'clock, the small seconds at 6, and the 12-hour counter at 9. The date display is also located at 6 o'clock. Red accents on the chronograph subdials and on the tips of the chronograph seconds, minutes, and hour hands underscore the watch's sporty look.

If you flip the watch over, you can see the caliber Heuer 02 through the display case back. The most prominent component is the black skeletonized winding rotor that resembles a Porsche steering wheel.

The TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche Chronograph has a 44-mm stainless steel case. While its uppermost surface is largely satin-brushed, the sides and back are polished. The pushers and crown are located on the right-hand side of the case. Thanks to its fluted texture, the crown is easy to operate.

TAG Heuer offers the Carrera X Porsche on either a three-link stainless steel bracelet or a calfskin strap with a unique gray stitching. The stainless steel bracelet has a brushed finish on the top and bottom and polished sides. Plan on shelling out about 6,000 USD for an unworn specimen on a leather strap.

Carrera Chronograph X Porsche Orange Racing

If you like an even sportier look, check out the Carrera Chronograph X Porsche Orange Racing ref. CBN2A1M.FC6526. This model has a 44-mm stainless steel case with a black DLC coating. The bezel is made of ceramic and is also black. A variety of orange accents contrast beautifully with the watch's black elements. These accents are found around the subdials, in a circle below the minute track on the black dial, on the stop-seconds hand, and on the decorative stitching of the black leather strap.. The watch is powered by the signature caliber Heuer 02, which features a black winding rotor in the shape of a Porsche steering wheel.

The Carrera Chronograph X Porsche Orange Racing cost approximately 6,700 USD in summer 2024.

Carrera Chronosprint X Porsche

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Carrera and the Porsche 911 in 2023, TAG Heuer presented two new special models with the additional moniker "Chronosprint" X Porsche. The watches measure 42 mm in diameter and are available in stainless steel or rose gold. Both models share a typical Carrera tricompax dial design with subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The hours are marked with applied bar indices, with the tachymeter scale just beyond. The date sits inside the subdial at 6 o'clock. The dial and scale are protected by a domed sapphire crystal known as a "glass box" construction.

The version with the reference number CBS2011.FC6529 is the stainless steel model. The dial of this watch is gray, while the indices are silver. Red accents on the tachymeter scale, hands, and 12-hour counter at 9 give this timepiece a particularly sporty touch. The rose gold ref. CBS2040.FC8318 features a beige dial. The indices and hands are rose gold-colored to match the color of the case. Red accents can be found on the same elements as the stainless steel version.

The Chronosprint X Porsche is powered by the automatic in-house caliber TH20-08. The movement has a special feature in that the second hand starts to set the first 30 seconds after only 15 seconds have elapsed. This is achieved by the hand slowing down towards the end. With this function, TAG Heuer recalls the acceleration of the first Porsche 911, which took exactly 15 seconds to reach 100 km/h in 1963. The movement is equipped with a winding rotor in the shape of a Porsche steering wheel, typical of the Porsche editions, and can be viewed through a sapphire crystal case back. While the stainless steel version comes with a black leather strap, TAG Heuer offers the rose gold variant with a brown leather strap.

As of summer 2024, the stainless steel model cost approximately 8,800 USD, while the Carrera Chronosprint in rose gold changes hands for roughly 22,300 USD.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph X Porsche 963

In spring 2024, TAG Heuer launched the Carrera Chronograph X Porsche 963 ref. CBU2010.FT6267, a modern and very sporty interpretation within the Carrera Chronograph collection. The 44-mm stainless steel timepiece is a tribute to the glorious history of motorsport and technological progress, and also commemorates 70 years of collaboration between the two brands.

The skeletonized dial of the Chronograph X Porsche 963 features the typical tricompax dial layout. The tubular shapes are reminiscent of the Porsche's racing chassis. Red splashes of color can be found on the stop-seconds hand and on the subdials at 6 and 9 o'clock. The tachymeter bezel is made of carbon, a particularly lightweight material that is also used in the Porsche 963. A luminescent Porsche logo on the bezel reminds you which watch you're wearing, even in the dark.

Inside ticks the in-house caliber TH20-00 with an 80-hour power reserve. The red column wheel and black winding rotor in the shape of a Porsche steering wheel are striking. A sapphire crystal case back lets you see the whole thing in all its glory. A black rubber strap holds the Carrera Chronograph X Porsche 963 securely on the wrist.

Expect to pay just over 11,200 USD for an unworn example of this watch, which is limited to 963 units.

FAQs

What makes the Carrera X Porsche different from a "normal" Carrera Chronograph?

Carrera X Porsche Edition chronographs have several features that distinguish them from standard Carrera models. These include their exclusive design, the use of materials like carbon, and the creation of calibers with special visual characteristics. One example of this is the movement's winding rotor, which is shaped like a Porsche steering wheel.

What sizes is the Carrera X Porsche available in?

The Carrera X Porsche is available in sizes 42 and 44 mm, depending on the reference.

What colors is the Carrera X Porsche Edition available in?

The case of most version of the Carrera X Porsche is made of polished and satin-brushed stainless steel; in the case of reference CBN2A1M.FC6526, it's coated black. One exception is ref. CBS2040.FC8318, which is made of rose gold. Dials are available in black, gray, or beige, depending on the model. All versions feature vibrant splashes of red on various parts of the dial and bezel.