TAG Heuer and Porsche join forces for a special tribute to car-racing history

TAG Heuer and Porsche have forged one of the more enduring and successful partnerships between a watch company and an auto-maker, now manifesting in this elaborate limited edition timepiece, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana.

This exclusive timepiece is a celebration of the long connection of both brands to the Carrera Panamericana race, the legendary 3,000km rally from one end of Mexico to the other which truly tested the limits of both cars and drivers.

Specifically, it marks the 70th anniversary of Porsche’s victories at the 1954 edition of the race when Porsche 550 Spyders triumphed by coming first and second in the under 1500cc sports car class, and third and fourth in the race overall.

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The victories established the foundation for Porsche’s later impressive achievements in endurance racing and made the 550 Spyder an icon of automotive innovation and performance.

Inspired by the Panamericana, in 1963 Jack Heuer debuted the Heuer Carrera, a chronograph with a noticeably clean, uncluttered dial designed for easy readability by drivers at high speeds. The model celebrated its 60th anniversary last year and is now joined by this stunning limited edition of 255 pieces.

The new chronograph tourbillon takes as inspiration the design and aesthetic of the famous Porsche 550 Spyder. That begins with the striking skeleton dial, its detailing inspired by the wheels of the Spyder, while the shimmer effect on the dial plate and subdials (minute counter at 3o’clock, tourbillon at 6 and hour counter at 9) evokes the car’s bodywork.

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The grained effect on the dial, meanwhile, references the asphalt texture of the road.

The use of silver, yellow and black components is a direct link to the original vehicle’s livery - the yellow lacquered hand and subdial hands as examples.

The watch’s 42mm stainless steel case features fine-brushed and polished alternating finishes, with an engraved ‘Spyder’ logo on the side, a Porsche logo on the curved flange and the ‘Panamericana’ marking at six o’clock. A domed sapphire Glassbox crystal adds a retro feel, reflecting domed hesalite crystal designs from the 1970s.

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Powering this high-end complication is the in-house H20-09 tourbillon movement, offering a 65-hour power reserve for constant wear. A feature common to all TAG Heuer x Porsche watches to date – a Porsche steering wheel mass – is visible through the sapphire caseback.

The vintage sportiness of this lovely piece is finished off with a black perforated calfskin leather strap featuring a yellow lining and stitching. Each watch is individually numbered, specially engraved with ‘LIMITED EDITION’ and packaged in a lacquered black wooden box with yellow highlights.

Among a number of successful collaborations, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana may be the pinnacle so far in this ongoing relationship between horological and automotive powerhouses.