The new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye tells the tale of two brave lads behind the wheel of an untested beast.
What’s not to love about inspired partnerships? The luxury industry has been especially awash with creative collaborations of late, from BMW and Louis Vuitton and North Face and Gucci, to Hublot and fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto.
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One happy relationship that any watch lover will be aware of is that of TAG Heuer and Porsche, which is still going strong after five years (making it statistically longer than many marriages) and which has just given birth to the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye.
A limited-edition timepiece honouring the unique legacies of the two Maisons, the new timepiece combines Porsche’s indomitable 911 with TAG Heuer’s renowned expertise in precision chronographs and was inspired by the historic Monte Carlo Rally, one of the most prestigious and challenging events in the world of motorsport.
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It was during the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally that Porsche’s newly introduced 911 made its competitive debut. The chosen car was a 911 with starting number “147”, based on a lightly modified road car, not primarily destined for competitive racing.
The Porsche was driven by two pivotal protagonists in Porsche’s history – Herbert Linge, who was later awarded the Mexican Order of Merit for three consecutive class victories in the Carrera Panamericana and who was a stunt driver in Steve McQueen film Le Mans, also in a Porsche – and Peter Falk, the auto marque’s Director of Racing Vehicle Development.
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Number “147” performed beyond all expectations, finishing an impressive fifth overall and second in its class – no small feat on treacherous, snow-covered roads with limited visibility. The drivers’ success with the 911 in such a brutal competition laid the foundation for Porsche’s lasting legacy in rallying, a history that would see the 911 dominate in subsequent years.
The timepiece comes in two variations: one in steel, and one in 18K 3N solid yellow gold. The steel piece is limited to 911 pieces (naturally) in a special nod to the Porsche 911, a car that has forever changed the face of motorsport. The yellow gold version, for its part, is limited to 11 pieces.
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The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye is powered by the in-house TH20-08 Chronosprint movement, a chronograph that offers an impressive 80-hour power reserve. The chronograph module of the TH20-08 is unique to the Porsche partnership, with its two snail-shaped wheels resulting in the central seconds hand completing the first 15 seconds of every stopped minute at an accelerated pace, before slowing to complete the loop of the minute perfectly.
A Porsche steering wheel-shaped rotor, visible through the sapphire glass caseback, forms another striking connection between the timepiece and the car’s engineering heritage.
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The design of the watch is equally captivating, drawing inspiration from the Heuer dashboard timer pressnt in the Porsche 911 “147” in 1965 and echoing elements of early Porsche dashboards. The black dial, a nod to the Heuer Master Time / Monte Carlo stopwatches from 1965, enhances legibility with its strong contrast and legibility, an essential element in the context of racing in low visibility conditions. Beige markings reference the original car’s steering wheel, while the dial’s finish evokes the shimmering effect of its bodywork, adding a refined touch.
The red lines on the right side of the flange are a graphical representation of speed, paying homage to the 0 to 100 km/h sprint achieved by the 1965 Porsche 911 “147” during the Monte Carlo Rally. Intricate detailing on the dial brings the watch full circle and includes azuré subdials, with contrasting silver rings, that add visual depth. The TAG Heuer Carrera double glassbox construction on both the front and back of the timepiece allows for an uninterrupted view of the movement along with improving its ergonomic profile.
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The steel version comes with a classic H-shaped bracelet and an additional black perforated leather strap with beige stitching, while the gold version is paired with a black perforated leather strap with beige stitching and an additional light brown perforated calfskin strap.
