In 2021 TAG Heuer and Porsche — two brands that have been flirting with each other for decades — finally made it official and entered into a strategic partnership. On the product side, we’ve seen a series of Porsche-inspired and liveried Carrera Cronographs emerge from La Chaux-de-Fonds, but not one quite like the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche. 

This new watch takes as its base the new Carerra ‘Glassbox’ design, first seen in a 39mm case at Watches & Wonders and more recently on the new Skipper release. Notably, here it’s a 42mm diameter, a sure sign of things to come.

Already the Carrera is a fitting tribute to Porsche, given how closely the model is associated with the automotive world, but there’s a host of elements in this design that dig a little deeper into the Porsche 911 (originally the 901), a car which, just like the Carrera, turns 60 this year. 

The main party trick of this new special edition, which is offered in both steel and gold versions, is the chronograph calibre itself. When activated, the chronograph hand starts with a bang, gradually deceleating over the course of the minute, in a unique mechanical innovation designed to echo to Porsche 901’s acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. This is made even clearer thanks to the special chronograph seconds scale, which sees the 10-second mark down near four o’clock rather than up near two, where it usually resides. This zone is also highlighted in red. 

Mechanically, this is possible thanks to the TH20-08 movement, a new interpretation of the in-house calibre TH20 in the regular 39mm Carrera. The unique mechanism is possible thanks to two snail-shaped wheels, creating a captivating decelerating motion for the central hand. These wheels are crafted with state-of-the-art technology, the so-called LiGA process widely used in the MEMS industry. 

Additional Porsche-inspired details can be seen seconds subdial at six, a nod to the dashboard of a 70s’ era Porsche, as well as the subdial at nine, which echoes the critical redline noting where damage may occur. 

All these details look absolutely stellar under the high dome of the sapphire crystal, which allows for incredible legibility, from all angles.

The steel-cased version comes with a shimmery silver dial that accentuates the red highlights, and comes on a black calfskin strap with an embossed 911 logo. The 5N rose gold version feel appropriately opulant, with a beige shimmery dial, and a brown embossed strap. Regardless of case metal, the watch sits 14.9mm high and is water-resistant to 100M.

This is a singularly handsome pair of watches, both of which would not look at all out of place near the steering wheel of a vintage Porsche. The Chronosprint detail was in no way needed, but its a lovely nod to the legacy of Porsche and TAG Heuer’s chronograph expertise.

Movement: Calibre TH20-08 Automatic 
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date
Case: 42 x 14.9mm, steel or 5N rose gold, water-resistant to 100M
Dial: Silver or beige, depending on case material
Strap: black or brown calfskin, depending on case, folding clasp with double safety push buttons