TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing (2023)

TAG Heuer and Porsche established one of the most powerful alliances between a car company and a watchmaker in February 2021. Following five successful timepieces that have captivated enthusiasts of both brands, they are now launching their sixth creation: the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Race, a model that displays the continuing passion for racing shared by both brands.

TAG Heuer and Porsche share a rich history, an independent and powerful mindset, and a dedication to design excellence. Their paths have crossed and entwined both on and off the racetrack for around 70 years. The strong and enduring relationship between TAG Heuer and Porsche is largely a result of their shared beginnings in motorsports, with the Carrera moniker itself certainly being one of the most prominent similarities.

The Carrera Panamericana is a legendary race that is often regarded as one of the world’s most perilous. It inspired both Porsche, which won its first class victory at the Carrera Panamericana race in 1954 and named its most powerful model in its honour, and Jack Heuer, who decided to name his new 1963 chronograph accordingly after hearing about the race’s highly evocative name from the Rodriguez brothers in Sebring in 1962.

The Porsche 911 Carrera and the TAG Heuer Carrera have since each become icons, recently celebrated in Paris on the occasion of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7’s 50th anniversary.

After sharing several outstanding achievements and a productive partnership, the two partners agreed to create a new special edition of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph as the appropriate representation of their racing legacy.

“With such a strong heritage shared with Porsche in the racing field, we are excited to present a new watch that embodies every aspect of this incredible sport. It is also a nod to the history shared by TAG Heuer and Porsche – a history on which we continue to build. Together, with their expertise and creativity, our teams have created a bold and powerful timepiece encased in a sporty yet elegant design.”

TAG Heuer CEO Frédéric Arnault

“The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing is all about the racing universe and represents the high performance and thrill of speed, values that we share deeply with TAG Heuer, and a fine example of our common mindset as we continue our exciting journey as partners.”

Robert Ader, Chief Marketing Officer at Porsche AG

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing is based on the iconic TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph and follows the TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche Limited Edition. It retains the quality and performance of the in-house Calibre Heuer 02, a movement comprised of 168 components built solely at TAG Heuer’s Chevenez plant, including a column wheel and a vertical clutch. These characteristics enable exceptional chronometric performance and provide a remarkable power reserve of 80 hours.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing design acknowledges not only the unmistakable Porsche aesthetic but, more importantly, the racing universe that surrounds it. The vibrant orange colour can be found throughout the watch, inspired by the colour of the heat sparks made by the car on the asphalt. It also nods to the colour of fire, an emblematic symbol of speed. This orange colour can be seen on the Porsche logo on the bezel, as well as on the lacquer on the crown and the graphic details present in small touches on the dial, with “azuré” counters and an orange seconds hand.

Another prominent colour in this limited edition is black, which elegantly contrasts with the brightness of the orange. To obtain this harmonised finish with tasteful touches of colour, the TAG Heuer designers employed black in various textures and finishings.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC), with its extremely deep, elegant colour and unfailing resistance, was used to give the case the highest-quality black treatment possible. Kinetics and speed served as the inspiration for the black dial finishing.

One legacy from the 2021 and 2022 TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche is the custom- designed oscillating weight, which was inspired by the Porsche steering wheel. The weight is visible through the sapphire glass case back and is labelled with “Porsche” and “TAG Heuer” and features black and orange touches.

The timepiece’s carbon-like calfskin strap – in black, highlighting the vivid orange – provides the finishing touch to the racing inspiration of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing. Its stitching is a subtle nod to the seat upholstery of Porsche cars, with the dramatic contrast of the orange stitching and lining hinting at the racing marks cars make at high speed.

Produced as a special edition, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing is presented in specially designed co-branded TAG Heuer x Porsche black packaging with vibrant orange details.

Available from February 2023, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing will be sold in TAG Heuer boutiques, on the brand’s e-commerce websites, and at select retail partners.

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Visual credits: TAG Heuer