Introducing: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche Rallye Editions

TAG Heuer and Porsche are well-known names in motorsport. In 2023, the two teamed up for a pair of special TAG Heuer Carrera models to celebrate the original Porsche 911. The Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche now gets two more additions to the lineup. These watches celebrate the Porsche 911’s first rally success at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally. The first is a regular stainless steel version, and the second is an 11-piece limited edition in yellow gold. Like the original stainless steel and rose gold versions from 2023, these two new ones pay tribute to the famous 0–100km/h sprint of the Porsche 911. Let’s find out more.

When TAG Heuer introduced the first Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche, it brought a few interesting concepts together. First, a collaborative effort between TAG Heuer and Porsche will spark the interest of many watch and car enthusiasts. Both brands have a rich history in the world of motorsport. Part of that history was written as partners, so the companies teaming up again is as logical a pairing as they come in the racing world. TAG Heuer made sure that the Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche wasn’t going to be just any chronograph. Both the design and the movement pay tribute to the original Porsche 911’s sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. While the design part is relatively easy to accomplish, the latter led to some surprising technical wizardry.

The story of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche

Let’s first quickly dive into a bit of history. As Daan explained in his introductory article for the first TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche, the model was developed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 911. In 1963, the German carmaker introduced the Porsche 901 at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung Frankfurt (IAAF). But the model was quickly renamed the 911 because Peugeot owned the rights to three-digit references with a zero in the middle. From the moment of introduction, the new Porsche stood out. With its unique shape and great performance, it quickly became one of the most renowned sports cars in the world.

As mentioned, one of the greatest performance features of the original 911 was its ability to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. That sprint inspired TAG Heuer to develop a movement that mimics it. Once you start the chronograph, the central chronograph hand starts running like the 911’s speedometer needle. After 15 seconds, it begins decelerating to make a full lap around the dial in 60 seconds. This is achieved by attaching the central chronograph hand to two snail-shaped wheels instead of a regular wheel. It’s a fun and impressive feature that fans will love.

The story of the Porsche 911 at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally

For the new versions of this watch, just like their predecessors, TAG Heuer’s designers ensured that the inspiration from the 0–100km/h sprint is obvious. But that also brings us to the overall story of these two new models. Their design is inspired by the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, where the Porsche 911 made its competitive debut.

The red 911 that competed in the rally featured the starting number 147 and was a lightly modified road car. It ended up finishing fifth overall and second in its class, which was an incredible achievement. That first rally was a great test for the performance of the Porsche 911 and the precision of the Heuer timekeeping instruments mounted on the dashboard.

The designers of these two new models took inspiration from the livery of the 1965 race car. The Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche watches are also based on the popular Carrera Glassbox. They both feature the typical Carrera dial layout and a rounded inner bezel visible through the heavily domed sapphire crystal.

Additionally, the two share the same round case shape, although the Carrera Chronosprint is larger than the 39mm Glassbox. The Chronospring has a 42mm diameter, a 48,6mm lug-to-lug, and a 14.9mm thickness, making it a substantial watch that’s probably not for smaller wrists.

The design of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche Rallye

The stainless steel case pairs well with a black dial with red and beige details. The black is a nod to the Heuer Master Time instruments inside the Porsche 911, the beige details reference the wooden steering wheel, and the red, of course, comes from the car’s exterior. Going around the dial, you will see that the red lines on the right side of the flange indicate the 8.4 seconds (yes, 0.7 seconds less) that it took the rally car to get to 100 km/h. Additionally, you will see three sub-dials, all executed slightly differently.

The 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock features a rhodium-plated ring and a red-lacquered hand. At 6 o’clock, you will find the small seconds executed like the speedometer on the dashboard. But you see the thin red lines that refer to the recommended speed of about 50 km/h in urban areas. Lastly, there is the 12-hour counter that also features a rhodium-plated ring with a hint of red that starts at 6.8 hours and refers back to the maximum of 6,800 revs/m in the Porsche 911. The central rhodium-plated hour and minuted hand are filled with beige lume and are accompanied by a rhodium-plated central chronograph hand.

The in-house TH20-08 movement

Overall, the design is busy but easy to navigate. Thanks to the dial’s slightly bigger size, all the elements have plenty of room to breathe, creating a well-balanced design. If you turn the watch around, you are greeted by the TH20-08 movement. The caliber is protected by a domed sapphire crystal, adding to the watch’s charm. This automatic chronograph movement operates at 28,000vph and offers a power reserve of 80 hours. A nice design element is the rotor that takes after the Porsche’s three-spoke steering wheel.

The stainless steel version comes with a classic H-link bracelet. The bracelet is easy to size and features a nice, slim clasp with a push-button release. Buyers will also receive a black perforated leather strap with beige stitching. The price for this TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche Rallye edition in stainless steel is CHF 10,000.

Once on the wrist, the watch wears as its dimensions suggest. The 42mm size case sits well on the wrist but is very present. Compared to the 39mm Carrera Glassbox, it is fair to call this one big. What adds to that perception is the 14.9mm thickness. While the domed glassbox crystals are visually stunning, they make for a thick watch. Luckily, the stainless steel bracelet is sturdy and balances the watch nicely on your wrist.

The limited edition 18K yellow gold limited edition

As I already mentioned, TAG Heuer also announced an 18K yellow gold version. This version is part of a very limited run of only 11 pieces worldwide. The watch uses the same design principles as its stainless steel counterpart but significantly ups the luxury factor. It essentially comes down to the fact that the case, indexes, hands, and sub-dials are all executed in yellow gold.

Unlike the stainless steel version, the gold one doesn’t have a bracelet. These 11 watches each come standard with a black perforated leather strap with beige stitching for a sporty racing look. Additionally, each buyer will get a light brown perforated calfskin strap. As a result, the gold variant, which costs CHF 24,000, looks like a super classy retro version of the stainless steel one.

Final thoughts on the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche Rallye editions

Overall, I like these two new Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche Rallye watches. They combine the best of the Carrera Glassbox design with a special movement that could be labeled as a party trick, but that would be too easy. With the historical context of Porsche and TAG Heuer working together and the story of the 911 specifically, this is a great watch for enthusiasts.

Add the cool connection to the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, and these two pieces tell a super cool story. All in all, it’s a story brought to life by the design and the movement, making these two great new additions to the Carrera lineup. I can’t wait to see what other stories TAG Heuer and Porsche use to inspire their future editions.

Please let me know what you think of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint × Porsche in the comments below.