Porsche and TAG Heuer collaborate to introduce the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana

Over the course of their existence, the two renowned brands of TAG Heuer and Porsche have experienced many shared moments in their illustrious alliance. Speed, tradition, accuracy, and an unwavering quest for perfection are all associated with Porsche, TAG Heuer, and the Carrera Panamericana race. This year, 2024, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the rich history that unites the three esteemed names. In honour of the collaboration between these two iconic brands and the 70th anniversary of the Porsche 550 Spyder's win in the Panamericana race in 1954, TAG Heuer has unveiled the limited edition Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana (Ref. CBS5012.FC6571) limited to 255 pieces. 

Since its founding in 1950, the Carrera Panamericana has been a legendary cross-country rally in the motorsport world, renowned for its treacherous yet exhilarating circuit. It immediately gained a reputation for testing the limits of both drivers and their vehicles, spanning more than 3,000 km from Mexico's northern to southern borders. Competitors in the Carrera Panamericana raced at average speeds of over 150 km/h over difficult terrain and intense heat in an exhausting test of ability, endurance, and speed. In 1954, Hans Herrmann drove a Porsche 550 Spyder to a class victory in this difficult event. This victory cemented Porsche's reputation for great engineering and laid the groundwork for its success in endurance racing. In 1954, the first Porsche built especially for racing was a mid-engine sports car with an aluminium body. This 1.5 litre, boxer engine produced 110 hp and could reach a top speed of 220 km/h.

The 2024 La Carrera Panamericana will take place from October 11–17, 2024. October 11: Oaxaca to Veracruz. October 12: Veracruz to Mexico City. October 13: Mexico City to Queretaro. October 14: Querétaro to Michoacan. October 15: Michoacán to Guanajuato. October 16: Guanajuato to Aguascalientes and finally the race will conclude on October 17: Aguascalientes to San Luis Potosí. 

About the timepiece, it comes in a 42mm stainless steel, bezel-free construction with a domed sapphire Glassbox crystal, which pays homage to similarly domed hesalite crystal designs from the 1970s. It also retains the overall design with the crown at 3 o’clock and classic round chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock, and 4 o’clock, combining brushed and polished finishes. It also features an engraved historical Spyder logo on the left. 

The outer periphery of the dial houses the minute track with the “PORSCHE” logo. The silver skeleton dial of the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana has black shimmery chronograph counters at 3 o’clock for 30 minutes and 9 o’clock for 12 hours, and is designed to “mirror the wheels of the 550 Spyder”, and a rhodium plated tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Both the chronograph hands, and the central chronograph hand are yellow lacquered.

The grained effect on the skeleton dial, whose shape is inspired by the 550's racing wheels, symbolises the asphalt roughness of the road and adds a sporty and racing touch. The shimmering effect on the dial plate and subdials conjures the bodywork of the 550 Spyder. The finish of the snail-brushed mechanism plate is visible through the dial. There are short faceted, and polished rhodium-plated hour markers, and rhodium-plated faceted, polished hour and minute hands with white SuperLumiNova®. The spaces between them help create a striking image reminiscent of the 1954 Spyder’s wheels. At 12 o’clock there are the logos for TAG Heuer, Carrera, and just above the tourbillon lies the engraving of Panamericana. To facilitate time reading in low light, yellow SuperLumiNova® dots are placed adjacent to hour markers on the sloping inner black flange.

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Powering the watch is Calibre Heuer TH20-09 featuring a new gear train. This column-wheel chronograph calibre, equipped with a tourbillon regulator, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a 65-hour power reserve. The Porsche steering wheel oscillating weight, which can be seen in all of the past TAG Heuer x Porsche watches is visible through the sapphire caseback, serves as a unique tribute to the automotive inspiration behind this timepiece. At the back of the watch, the steel screw-down sapphire caseback has special engraving “LIMITED EDITION” and “XXX/255”. This timepiece is finished on a black perforated calfskin leather strap with yellow lining and sides with fine brushed, polished steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons; and a TAG Heuer shield.