Introducing: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana
What We Know
Hey guess what? TAG Heuer and Porsche have announced another limited edition collaboration, and this time there’s a tourbillon involved.
Here we have the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana, limited to 255 pieces. The headline is that it’s a 42mm Glassbox case with TAG’s TH20-09 Tourbillon Chronograph inside. But, of course, the devil is in the details – especially with a limited edition like this one.
Starting at the beginning – or towards six o’clock above the tourbillon – is the signature of the titular Carrera Panamericana road race. Run for only five years after its initial inception in 1950, the Mexican road rally was later relaunched in 1988. However, the myth and danger of those first five years were enough to compel Jack Heuer to name the famed ref. 2447 after the race. Dubbed the Heuer Carrera, inspired by that very spirit of adventure and motorsport. This decision eventually leads Heuer down a long and windy history of involvement with motorsport, and specifically Porsche.
Like another TAG Heuer x Porsche Limited Edition celebrating the 963, this watch features an engraving on the case flank. Here we have “Spyder” in the classic Porsche script. This, of course, is referencing the Porsche 550 Spyder that took P1 and P2 in its class during the 1954 running of the rally, with this year (2024) marking the 70th anniversary of the feat. The design of the skeleton dial pays tribute to the design of the wheels on the 550 Spyder and the textures are meant to evoke the bodywork and asphalt. TAG Heuer does love a good historical callback.
What We Think
As limited editions tend to go, this is a very specific reference. And – as TAG Heuer limited editions tend to go, this is meant for a very specific segment of the brand’s clientele. I’ve said it before and it applies here just the same: it’s not for everyone, but those who love it really love it, and TAG Heuer knows that better than all of us who will complain about the case being a few millimeters too big or an engraving that’s not exactly to our liking. To be honest, though, I think the Spyder engraving looks pretty cool (if large).
That being said, the case is indeed a few millimeters too big. I’d love to see the TH20-09 executed in the smaller, more elegant specification, especially if we are claiming to be pushing technology and innovation. Though 42mm isn’t nearly as large as the enthusiast community claims it to be. Otherwise, I appreciate the motorsport references; the confluence of the significance of the Panamericana rally with Porsche in the origin story of the Carrera is a great recipe for a limited edition piece. The yellow accents to the silver and black color scheme are a nice nod to the winning 550 Spyders from 1954, and the silhouette of the Glassbox crystal and where it meets the case edge evoke the overall design language of those winning cars. The Spyder script is aesthetically pleasing as a design element, though I don’t think I would have landed on such a large engraving as the chosen execution.
Image: courtesy of Porsche
Image: courtesy of Porsche
Even if not specifically catered to the relatively small, yet vocal, group of enthusiasts we have here, the TAG Heuer Panamericana is yet a thoughtful execution on an interesting cross-section of the brand’s history.
The Basics
Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Panamericana
Reference Number: CBS5012.FC6571
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 15.1mm
Lug-to-Lug: 49.7mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Dial Color: Silver Skeleton Dial
Indexes: Applied, Rhodium plated facetted, polished
Lume: Rhodium plated facetted, polished hour and minute hands
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Black perforated calfskin leather strap with yellow lining and sides
The Movement
Caliber: TH20-09
Functions: Vertical clutch, column wheel chronograph, tourbillon
Power Reserve: 65 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4HZ)
Jewels: 33
Pricing & Availability
Price: CHF 35,000 (~$40,000)
Availability: October 2024
Limited Edition: Yes, 255 pieces, numbered
For more, click here.
Hodinkee
