Watches Driven by passion

The partnership between TAG Heuer and Porsche is a storied one, with many shared moments over the course of their history. One key event that looms large in the history of both is the Carrera Panamericana, a perilous 3000-kilometer race held in Mexico from 1950 to 1954, before returning in 1988. It was this race that inspired Jack Heuer to name his confident chronograph collection Carrera, and it marks a significant milestone in Porsche’s motorsports history. Seventy years ago, in 1954, the Porsche 550 Spyder took home first and second place in the under 1500cc class at the Carrera Panamericana, and came in third overall. The iconic car serves as the inspiration for the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana.

The skeletonized dial pays homage to the rims of the Porsche 550 Spyder, and the inspiration does not stop there. The silver dial color echoes the base color of the 1954 racer, while the chronograph highlights in yellow, along with the black subdials, are a direct reference to the bold ’55’ number of the original racer. On top of that, the shimmering dial effect and grained textures are links to the bodywork paint of the car, and the texture of asphalt. All the dial elements look stunning thanks to the broad vista afforded by the domed glassbox sapphire crystal. 

Also visible on the dial and case is the Porsche name on the curved black flange of the minutes track, along with historic Porsche ‘Spyder’ branding on the profile of the 42mm steel case, and ‘Panamericana’ text above the ever-turning tourbillon cage. This tourbillon movement, the TH20-09, is among TAG Heuer’s most prestigious offerings, an in-house calibre combining an automatic column-wheel chronograph with the complicated tourbillon, with a convenient 65 hours of power reserve, supplied via the oscillating weight evoking a Porsche steering wheel. The black and yellow theme continues onto the perforated calfskin strap, in supple black calf with yellow lining and contrasty stitching inspired by historic rally straps while offering a contemporary edge. 

The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana, with its dynamic case and signature aesthetics, is limited to 255 numbered examples, with the ’55’ being a reference to the winning Porsche 550 Spyder. This exceptional racing chronograph is not just a showcase of TAG Heuer’s sophisticated design and expertise in watchmaking complications; it’s a confident symbol of the Porsche partnership, a thoroughly modern creation that honours TAG Heuer and Porsche’s history of innovation while offering an assertive design that looks to the future.