Limited Edition TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche
Image: TAG Heuer
The 2022 Carrera X Porsche Limited Edition marks the continuation of TAG Heuer and Porsche‘s illustrious road adventure. TAG Heuer and Porsche’s collaboration is probably the most genuine, and certainly the most organic, of all such watchmaker-automaker ties. The Aquaracer and Monaco, as well as a specific Carrera worn by Ryan Gosling, have dominated the horological debate this year, but the Carrera X Porsche Limited Edition will not be forgotten. We saw this model, along with the others described above, at Watches and Wonders Geneva, and it reminds us that the automatic chronograph Heuer 02 movement is indeed the spiritual successor of Calibre 11.
Image: TAG Heuer
Calibre 11 is, of course, well-known, although it may be a little esoteric because it is no longer in production. This retiring engine debuted across all of Heuer’s chronograph models in 1969 (it was known as plain old Heuer back then), as the company asserted its claim to designing and unveiling the world’s first automatic chronograph. This black and yellow 44mm watch, limited to 1,500 pieces, looks the part of a speed freak. The glossy black dial, asphalt-textured subdials, DLC steel casing, and yellow accents make the Porsche link clear. The color was allegedly inspired by the Porsche Pantone, which Porsche reserves for its most aggressive vehicles.
Image: TAG Heuer
We can also notice the Porsche automobile impact on the movement here, particularly in the steering wheel shape of the automated winding rotor. This is a common characteristic shared by the Monaco models as well, unifying the racing TAG Heuer models. The rotor and movement architecture of the Heuer 02 calibre change significantly from the previous Calibre 11, yet this is to be expected. After all, Calibre 11 was simply the beginning point, and it’s been more than 50 years since that momentous occasion in Geneva.
It debuted under a different name in 2013, and it retains certain qualities from its launch. It rose to prominence in 2016 as calibre Heuer 02T, the world’s most accessible chronograph-tourbillon. The contemporary Heuer 02 keeps the integrated chronograph bit, complete with column wheel and vertical clutch, 80 hours of power reserve, and a balancing rate of 4Hz or 28,000 vph. As others have pointed out, the calibre also has a date function, but this is occasionally obscured (as it was in the Carrera 160 Years Limited Editions). The column wheel in the current generation of calibres receives a cosmetic boost by being lacquered in a distinctive color. It’s in the same yellow as the other parts on the watch, as previously indicated.
TAG Heuer’s CEO Frédéric Arnault goes beneath the hood of the partnership with this explanation in the presser: “For this second chapter of our partnership, it seemed natural to continue to weave the thread of our cocreation through the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph but with a completely new approach. For this new limited edition, we wanted to emphasise the racing side of the sporty Porsche Carrera. Our teams, in partnership with Porsche, have combined their expertise and creativity to create a timepiece with a powerful design and a bold, sporty look.”
“The Carrera myth plays an important role in Porsche’s heritage and is also one of the many aspects our brand has in common with TAG Heuer,” said Robert Ader, Chief Marketing Officer at Porsche AG. “After a successful year of partnership, we are pleased to have created another tangible symbol of the special connection between the two iconic brands.”