Celebrating the Porsche 963, this chronograph continues TAG Heuer’s upmarket trajectory.
Blending Porsche panache with TAG Heuer‘s mechanical chronograph technology, this new collaboration further seals the long-standing bond between these two legendary brands. Throughout the watch, we see aesthetic cues from Porsche that fit naturally into TAG Heuer’s design, and with a $10,000 price tag, it’s fair to say that this watch is unabashedly following TAG’s new upward direction.
In 2023, Porsche’s 963 made its official race debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona. For the past year, the prototype has continued to make strides. On June 12, it advanced into the so-called ‘Hyperpole’ in qualifying for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche’s history at Le Mans is legendary. It’s the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race with 19 overall wins. The Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is here to celebrate that legacy.
In 1963, TAG Heuer debuted its first Carrera chronograph, and the carmaker debuted its first 911. Both models would go on to become icons and solidify these brand names in their respective fields. Over the years, the two brands have run parallel at occasions like the Monaco Grand Prix and through racers like Jo Siffert who famously drove a Porsche and received sponsorship from Heuer.
Of course, one of the most memorable crossovers between the brands came in 1970 thanks to the film Le Mans in which the legendary Steve McQueen sported the Heuer logo while driving the Porsche 917. A decade later, Porsche and TAG Heuer jointly developed and produced the TAG Turbo Engine, which led the McLaren team to win three consecutive Formula 1 world titles.
By 2019, Porsche had created its own Formula E team with TAG Heuer, and in 2021, the brands made their partnership official with the debut of two limited edition watches. In 2022, they launched another limited edition honoring the 50th anniversary of the famed Porsche 911 R.S. 2.7, and last year, they introduced the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche with an all-new movement. Now, their work continues with the Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963.
The watch seamlessly blends the two worlds through subtle details. Take for instance the subdials, which feature four Super-LumiNova blocks that draw inspiration from Porsche’s innovative 911 LED lights. The Super-LumiNova on the registers, as well as throughout the skeletonized dial, reminds us of the endurance required for 24-hour races. Within the open-worked dial elements nod to the car with tubular shapes reminiscent of Porsche’s racing chassis. In addition, the forged carbon bezel features a luminescent Porsche logo which mirrors the lightweight, high-performance components of the Porsche 963.
The model is complete with a rubber strap featuring the Porsche 963 logo and whose shape is inspired by the NACA-style low-drag air inlets, often featured on Porsche race cars going back to the record-breaking Porsche 917. The watch is powered by TAG’s in-house TH20-00 movement.
The Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 is available today in a fitting run of 963 pieces, each individually numbered and priced at CHF 9,000 (approximately $10,000).
