TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana Watch Review
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chrono Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana is the latest watch to bear the names of both luxury marques. Equipped with the highly desirable gravity-defying, high-complication, this watch doffs its hat to the famous road race that threads its way through Mexico. US-based Meehna Goldsmith takes the reader on a journey, surveying the many highlights that evoke thoughts of the past while showcasing modern horological know-how.
TAG Heuer Carrera depuis 1963
The TAG Heuer Carrera is steeped in history dating back to 1963. Inspired by the treacherous Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico, Jack Heuer designed the Carrera as a watch built for the track. Not only did it have supreme legibility and practical function, but it came in a beautifully crafted package. Heuer had a keen eye for aesthetics, drawing upon the work of Le Corbusier and Charles Eames. Just last year, the Carrera celebrated its 60th anniversary.
Carrera Panamericana born in 1950
If you’re not familiar with the Carrera Panamericana, it’s a gruelling race that traverses Mexico, covering over 3000 km, connecting the nation’s northern and southern borders. Cars exceed 150 km/h in a test of skill and endurance through sweat-inducing temperatures and brutal terrain. To get an idea of how dangerous this race is, consider that it was shut down just five years after its inception in 1950 because of numerous casualties. It was later resurrected in 1988 and has since run continuously.
Heuer Carrera – a highly legible racing tool
Chronographs were and are an essential tool for racers. Back in 1963, plastic crystals stayed in place through the use of a tension ring. The seconds markers were located on the dial, reducing clarity and giving a cluttered appearance. In a stroke of genius, Jack Heuer realised the tension ring could serve a dual role and relocated the 1/5-second markers there, opening up the dial for increased visibility. As a result, the indications on the tri-compax configuration easily snap into focus, critical for a driver taking on the gritty and harsh terrain.
Porsche x Hans Herrmann (1954)
Porsche also has a storied history with the Carrera Panamericana. In 1954, the Porsche 550 Spyder driven by Hans Herrmann clocked impressive finishes, coming in first in the under 1500cc sports car class and third in the race overall. It was here that Porsche established its reputation for endurance racing and superior engineering with its innovative double overhead-cam engine and sensual design.
Image – 1954, Porsche 550 Spyder, Hans Herrmann (r.), Carrera Panamericana. Source: Porsche Cars Great Britain
To celebrate the partnership of TAG Heuer and Porsche, both companies have collaborated on a special timepiece that honours the Carrera Panamericana: the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana. This timepiece with its svelte lines pays tribute to the Porsche 550 Spyder, seen in its skeleton dial mirroring the wheels of the racecar. The colour scheme incorporates silver, yellow and black, hues that originally graced the 550 Spyder of 1954. Adding an extra punch of colour, the bright yellow lacquered central chronograph seconds hand and matching subdial hands facilitate precise reading of the indications.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chrono Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana – dial
Every aspect of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chrono Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana echoes the 550 Spyder, from the shimmery glint of the dial plate and subdials, a nod to the 1954 car’s bodywork, to the grained effect resembling the gritty texture of the road. A peek through the dial reveals the snail-brushed movement plate, a finishing that adds beauty and panache to the proceedings.
The 42 mm stainless steel case comes alive with detail, featuring alternating fine-brushed and polished finishes along with an engraved ‘Spyder’ logo on the side reminiscent of the original font style used by Porsche in the 1950s. Meanwhile, the curved flange is decorated with the Porsche logo, along with ‘Panamericana’ located above the tourbillon at six o’clock.
In a classic layout, the chronograph minute counter sits at 3 o’clock and the hour counter resides at 9 o’clock. Set against this backdrop are yellow lacquered hands to mark the minutes and seconds respectively. Pump pushers between the steel crown at 2 and 4 o’clock operate the chronograph. Reading the time is a breeze. Rhodium plated, facetted and polished applied indexes mark the hours, matching the polished hour and minute hands circling the dial. Both are filled with white Super-LumiNova, bestowing a notable glow in low light conditions.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chrono Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana – Glassbox
In a hat tip to hesalite crystal designs from the 1970s, the watch is fitted with a domed Glassbox sapphire crystal. Notice how it curves over the flange and runs along the edge of the dial to blend elegantly into the case. More than just a sophisticated design, the Glassbox allows for easy reading of the indications. Securing the watch to the wrist is a black perforated calfskin leather strap that sports a yellow lining to match the yellow on the dial. The strap’s yellow underside is visible from the side.
TAG Heuer TH20-09 Tourbillon movement
Under the hood of the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana beats the in-house TH20-09 tourbillon movement with a prodigious 65-hour power reserve. The tourbillon resides at 6 o’clock on the dial, occupying a significant portion of the dial area. This intricate mechanism mitigates the adverse influence of gravity on the regularity of the timepiece. Turn the watch over for another racy detail. Through the sapphire caseback, you can see the rotor, shaped like a Porsche steering wheel and keeping the timepiece juiced up while worn.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chrono Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana – limited to 255 pieces
The Carrera Chrono Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana is limited to 255 pieces, a figure inspired by the number ’55’ that graced the Porsche Spyder during its momentous finishes. Each sports its own number and is engraved with the moniker ‘LIMITED EDITION’. The model is housed in a luxurious lacquered wooden box in black incorporating yellow accents, replicating those found on the dial.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana – closing remarks
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana, launched to coincide with this year’s race, is a wonderful tribute to the histories of TAG Heuer and Porsche and their association with the Carrera Panamericana. It’s a nod to the past while delivering the modern high technicity and innovation for which TAG Heuer is known for.
Further reading
https://www.tagheuer.com/
Technical specifications
- Model: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana
- Reference: CBS5012.FC6571
- Case: fine brushed and polished steel, diameter 42 mm, water resistance 10 ATM (100 metres), Glassbox sapphire crystal to front, exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, chronograph: 1/4 second, 30 minutes counter, 12 hours counter, Tourbillon 1 minute
- Movement: Calibre TH20-09 automatic, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 33 jewels, power reserve 65 hours
- Strap: black perforated calfskin strap. Fine brushed, polished steel folding clasp with double safety push buttons
- Price: £31,300 (RRP as of 10.10.2024)