Ready for Le Mans, The new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963

This weekend, on Saturday the 15th, we’ll be attending one of the most legendary car races of all time, the 101st edition of the 24h of Le Mans. And just like in Formula 1, watches are everywhere. While Rolex is the official timekeeper of the event, many watch brands are also sponsoring teams, such as Moser and Alpine, Richard Mille and Ferrari and, of course, TAG Heuer as the sponsor of Porsche. As another step in the Porsche x TAG Heuer connection, the brand releases one of its most modern and bold versions of its racing chronograph, as a tribute to the car competing in the endurance race. Here’s the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963.

The name Carrera at TAG Heuer has incredible relevance in the field of motorsport. Its name already bears a strong connection with racing, being named after the legendary Carrera Panamericana race… which coincidentally is also a name long associated with Porsche and its 356 and 911 race cars. Since then, both names have been synonymous with racing and passion, but it’s only in 2021 that the connection between these two equally important icons would be sealed with the partnership between TAG Heuer and Porsche. Since then, it has given birth to multiple Porsche-inspired TAG models. The latest to date is linked to endurance racing and is also the boldest, most modern to date.

As a race that’s all about cutting-edge technology (the Porsche 963 is, as all cars in the LMH and LMDh categories, using hybrid technology) and endurance on the track, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 reflects this with a large, sporty and technical inspiration. Don’t expect to see here historical references or a vintage look like the current Glassbox Carrera Chronograph. This 963-inspired Carrera is a statement watch with a large modular, angular case and an openworked dial.

The Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is a large and contemporary sports watch, with presence. Its case measures 44mm in diameter, 15mm in height and close to 50mm in length, and it feels on the wrist. Thanks to the curved strap and the shape of the case, it is not uncomfortable but definitely not a watch that will fly under the radar. It has visual impact. The design also feels like a mix of novel and known elements, and somehow looks back at previous generations of the Carrera with the Heuer-01 movement (the Biver-era) yet with an overall better look.

This case, with a racing vibe, is a rather complex one. Mostly made of stainless steel, it features recessed sides, framed by a non-coated steel line with inside a grained surface coated in black PVD. The left side has a Porsche signature in contrasting silver colour and the right side has black coated crown and pushers. In the same vein, the fixed bezel with tachymeter scale is made of forged carbon, with the Porsche logo in luminescent printing. Classic faceted Carrera lugs are present, with a new central link engraved with 963 and a strap connection that mimics the NACA air inlets found on most race cars.

Like modern and racing-oriented versions of the Monaco, this new Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 relies on an openworked dial with a complex architecture – a polarizing look that some will love, while some prefer a more classic closed dial. Using circular shapes and a radial-style spiderweb (said to be reminiscent of Porsche’s racing car chassis), the dial retains a classic tri-compax display with closed sub-dials, making sure that legibility isn’t affected. Several details to note; the white Super-LumiNova block indexes, with a red one at 4 o’clock to mark the start of the 24h of Le Mans, red accents on the chronograph hands, and a SLN-coated date revealer… With the idea of having a watch that can be easily used at night too… practical for a 24-hour race.

Under the sapphire back, no surprises as we have here the in-house calibre TH20-00, also known as Heuer-02. This integrated, automatic movement relies on a column-wheel and vertical clutch architecture, for a jump-free start of the chronograph function. Boasting 80 hours of power reserve, it’s light decorated on the back and features a rotor shaped like a Porsche steering wheel. The watch is worn on a black integrated rubber strap, closed by a folding clasp with micro-adjustment.

Availability & Price

Released as a limited edition of 963 individually numbered pieces, and available immediately, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 will be priced at CHF 9,000. It’ll be delivered in a Porsche-styled packaging, complete with a travel pouch. For more details, please visit tagheuer.com.