TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7
The TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the high-revving, air-cooled car of 1972. It comes on the back of the Swiss avant-garde brand and the Swabian thoroughbred signing a global partnership agreement in 2021. This latest model is offered in a choice of steel or 18K 5N rose gold, limited to 500 pieces and 250 pieces, respectively. Angus Davies explores the shared history underpinning this collaboration and examines the specification of this modern-day chronograph.
All too often, a new product is launched with great fanfare, accompanied by the words ‘iconic’ or ‘legendary’. Sadly, on many occasions, these superlatives are used with little justification. However, there are some products which are worthy of such prestigious descriptions.
Often groundbreaking at the time of launch, iconic or legendary products are exemplars of accomplished design and are widely admired. Indeed, it is these qualities that make such products stand out from the crowd. Both the Heuer Carrera and the Porsche 911 are unequivocally iconic and will forever be admired by watch aficionados and petrolheads alike.
Heuer Carrera
The origins of the TAG Heuer Carrera can be traced back to January 1962 when Jack Heuer attended the 12 Hours Race at Sebring, Florida. Jack had lent the race organisers a dozen Heuer pocket chronographs and in recognition of this, they invited him to the race. Whilst at the event, Jack chatted to the parents of two young drivers, Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez. During their conversation, a treacherous road race staged in Mexico was discussed, the Carrera Panamericana.
First held in 1950, this race commenced near the border of Guatemala and concluded in the north of Mexico, close to the US border. Attentively listening to discussions about the 3000km+ event, Jack noted the word, ‘Carrera’, meaning ‘race’ in Spanish. He loved the word and commented on it in his autobiography, ‘The times of my life’:
‘….the Spanish word Carrera. I loved not only its sexy sound, but also its multiple meanings, which include road, race, course and career. All very much Heuer territory!’
Arriving back in Switzerland, Jack registered the name ‘Heuer Carrera’ and the rest is history….well, not quite. Because, as fabulous as the name ‘Carrera’ was, and remains, it needed to be accompanied by a suitably meritorious product.
In 1963, the Heuer Carrera chronograph was born. It was endowed with a supremely clear and legible display. Back in the day, plastic watch crystals were in widespread use, predating the now commonplace sapphire crystal. A specialist supplier to the Swiss firm produced a steel tension ring which secured the plastic watch crystal in position, preventing water ingress. Jack had the inspired idea of marking the tension ring with a neat track, featuring ⅕-second integers. By adopting this approach, the main area of the dial remained clear and uncluttered. Later, Heuer adapted this approach, applying a tachymeter scale to the tension ring. Thereafter, the Heuer Carrera was forever associated with clean, highly legible dials.
Porsche Carrera – great minds think alike
Heuer was not the only company that recognised the emotive quality of the word ‘Carrera’. Privateers competed in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana negotiating their Stuttgart thoroughbreds along the treacherous route. However, it was not until 1953 that Porsche officially participated in the Carrera Panamericana with two Type 550 coupes driven by Karl Kling and Hans Herrmann. Unfortunately, the works-backed team failed to complete the race.
However, a local importer of Porsche cars, Jaroslav Juhan, also entered two Type 550 coupes with Jose Sala Herrarte Ariano winning the 1953 Carrera Panamericana. The Swabian car marque enjoyed repeated success in Mexico and the ‘Carrera’ name was eventually adopted for the now iconic (a description that is justly deserved) Porsche 356. Thereafter, the Carrera nomen was applied to the firm’s ‘high-revving models’. Eventually, in 1963, Porsche replaced the 356 with the 911.
Image – courtesy of newsroom.porsche.com
Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
In 1972, the Stuttgart-based firm released the now legendary (again, a justifiable use of the word), Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Eulogised by purists and coveted by many Porsche devotees, this car was equipped with a 2.7 litre, flat 6-cylinder engine, pumping out approximately 210bhp at maximum revs. Its impressive performance could also be attributed to the model’s low mass, circa 960Kg, an incredible figure when contrasted with many modern-day cars.
The lower section of the doors and wings were adorned with the company’s now iconic Carrera name, presented in the marque’s legendary typeface. A spoiler to the front and the famous ‘duck tail’ to the rear improved downforce, a welcome improvement on a car that was known to be a bit ‘tail happy’ in the wet. Vivid hues were de rigeur during this period. Guards Red, Mexico Blue, Light Yellow, Lime Green, … a total of 27 colours were offered at the time. A set of 5-spoke, colour-coordinating Fuchs wheels topped off the look of the much-loved air-cooled, 911 Carrera RS 2.7. For many purists, the model will remain the finest expression of Porsche ownership.
Image – courtesy of newsroom.porsche.com
An inevitable partnership
Throughout the history of Porsche and TAG Heuer, the paths of both companies have crossed again and again. TAG Heuer, a company with a rich history of making timing instruments and chronographs has spent much time in the pits with various motorsport legends. Today, its name can be seen on a variety of race cars, competing in different formulas.
In 2021, it became official. Porsche and TAG Heuer signed a global partnership agreement, recognising ‘their brand’s shared history and values’. No sooner had the ink dried on the paperwork, than the creative minds at the Swiss watch brand began sketching dual-branded products. The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition 44mm Calibre Heuer 02 with its asphalt-themed dial was the first to leave the grid, but other models have since followed, including a connected watch released just a few weeks ago (August 2022).
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche
Now, the Swiss avant-garde brand and the Swabian marque have joined forces again, releasing the TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7. This watch commemorates the 50th anniversary of the high-revving car of 1972.
Presented in a choice of two variants, a stainless steel reference (limited to 500 pieces) and a second model in 18K 5N rose gold (limited to 250 pieces), this new watch is endowed with some very distinctive aesthetic elements, distinguishing it from its forebears.
TAG Heuer Porsche Carrera watch
Each ownership option features a white dial paired with coloured accents, blue on the steel model and red on the gold variant. The central chronograph seconds hand and the hands gracing the counters adopt the case-specific hues.
Upholding Jack Heuer’s fondness for clean and uncluttered dials, the TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 conveys information in a highly intelligible format. Baton-style, luminescent hour and minute hands subscribe to the proven modern-day Carrera design language, as do the indexes. The gold case variant supplants rhodium items for gold which add a note of richness.
At first glance, the dial could be confused for a bi-compax layout, however, look again and you will see there is a softly-spoken small seconds display at 6 o’clock. It’s legible but, when contrasted with the nearby chronograph counters, it plays a deferential role.
The chronograph counters are snailed (azurage) and incorporate coordinating blue or red tones depending on the case material selected. A 30-minute chronograph register is positioned adjacent to the crown, while a 12-hour chronograph register is positioned opposite. The location of the counters provides a welcome dose of symmetry, while a date aperture at 6 o’clock sits on a north-south axis, contributing to the extremely harmonious appearance.
The minute track, again incorporating the aforementioned blue and red hues, sits on a flange, thereby mitigating dial clutter. It reminds me of Jack’s tension ring idea, employed on the 1963 Heuer Carrera.
Lastly, it is the number of subtle details than enrich the composition of this dial. The date aperture is stepped, admittedly a small detail but contributes to the overall sense of sumptuousness. A colour-coordinating circlet, framing the dialscape, makes subtle reference to the watch’s impressive 80-hour power-reserve. The dial is a lesson in considered design, something many Porschephiles will undoubtedly appreciate.
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche chronograph limited edition
Both case options measure 42mm in diameter, a size that proffers broad appeal. Sharing the same case as the ‘regular’ Carrera 42mm (released in 2020), I can attest that this watch is incredibly comfortable to wear. Guy Bove, the Creative Director of the brand, and his talented team have expended much effort optimising the ergonomics of the case and bracelet. Simply place the watch on your wrist and you will see that such efforts were not in vain.
The case encompasses numerous facets that engage with light, suffusing the housing with contrasting pockets of brilliance and shade. On the steel model, the pusher at 2 o’clock is dressed in blue, while the gold version eschews any additional colour.
The left flank of the case is adorned with the ‘Carrera’ name, executed in the iconic font and partially in relief. On the steel version, the text is set against a blue-toned inlay, while the gold model shuns colour, showcasing its noble material to maximum effect.
TAG Heuer supplies the steel version on a steel H-shaped bracelet along with an additional ‘sporty fabric strap’ embellished with Carrera text. The gold model assumes a more formal appearance courtesy of a Guards Red alligator strap.
Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic
Released in 2017, the Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic is fully integrated and employs a column wheel and vertical coupling, widely considered the ultimate specification for a chronograph, for two main reasons.
Firstly, press the pusher at 2 o’clock and you will notice the central chronograph seconds hand commences its journey without any stutter or delay. Sadly, not all chronographs are the same. Secondly, when pressing the pushers, note how smooth they feel, operating with a delightful silky action.
This movement has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and will run autonomously for 80 hours. Visible via an exhibition caseback, owners are indulged with several refined details. For instance, the oscillating weight is openworked and co-branded, while the bridges are appointed with Côtes de Genève motif.
Closing remarks
Of all the Porsche x TAG Heuer collaborations to date, and there have already been some stunners, I think this is the best.
By cleverly making the chronograph registers more prominent than the small seconds display, the watch appears like a bi-compax model with the agreeable symmetry this implies, but with all the functionality of a tri-compax layout.
The tasteful use of colour enlivens the dial but without detracting from its intended purpose. As for the case, it features all of the tried and tested Carrera loveliness, first seen on the 2020 update, but is now endowed with the distinctive and highly original ‘Carrera’ branding on its left flank.
The Calibre Heuer 02 is modern, proven and infused with the vast expertise of a watch brand with 162 years of experience.
At this point, you may enquire whether the Calibre Heuer 02 is better than the movement housed within the Heuer Carrera of 1963. In my opinion, the answer is, “Undoubtedly”. Likewise, you may ask if the current-generation 911 (992), released in 2012, is superior to the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7? Well, some commentators may argue in favour of cutting-edge know-how, but personally speaking, I’m not sure. However, one thing is certain, both the Porsche 911 and the TAG Heuer Carrera are definitely worthy of the terms ‘iconic’ and ‘legendary’.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7
- Reference: CBN2016.EB0275 (steel) / CBN2045.FC8316 (18K 5N rose gold)
- Case: stainless steel; diameter 42mm, water resistance 10ATM (100 metres), sapphire crystal to front; exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
- Movement: Calibre Heuer 02, automatic movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 33 jewels; power reserve = 80 hours
- Strap (steel): H-shaped stainless steel bracelet with steel folding clasp and double safety push buttons. Also supplied with an additional fabric strap paired with a steel pin buckle.
- Strap (18K 5N rose gold): red alligator leather strap with gold pin buckle
- Price: £6,400 (RRP as of 5.10.2022)
- Price: £19,550 (RRP as of 5.10.2022)
- Limited Edition: 500 pieces (steel) / 250 pieces (18K 5N rose gold)