United by a shared commitment to mechanical excellence and the legacy of the Carrera Panamericana endurance race, it may surprise you to know TAG Heuer only officially inked its partnership with Porsche in 2021. Since then, both marques have been hard at work on a series of closely choreographed launches: including, most recently, the feature-laden E4 smartwatch. Now, with the proverbial pedal still very much to the metal, both brands are releasing yet another limited edition that pays tribute to a designation widely regarded as one of the greatest 911s ever made – the Carrera RS 2.7.
Released in a duo of stainless steel (500 pieces) and 18K rose gold (250 pieces), these new TAG Heuer Carrera LEs faithfully transmute the aesthetic of two iconic RS 2.7 models – namely, ‘Guards Red’ and ‘Glacier Blue’ – into the format of a sports chronograph, complemented by the sort of modern performance we’ve come to expect from the biggest brand in LVMH’s horological stable.
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There’s a solid bet both editions are going to be out of stock by the time you’re done reading this article, though the more ‘achievable’ of the two has to be the ‘Glacier Blue’ ($11,200). Against the backdrop of the Carrera’s substantial 42mm case, the blue and white livery of Porsche’s iconic 70s-era homologation special sing out in unison.
Diameter aside, this feels like a throwback to many of the design codes that dominated the Carrera’s aesthetic when the watch made its debut: a clean and focused execution, befitting the legendary performance car it’s inspired by.
Atop the watch’s opaline dial, wearers will see TAG Heuer’s characteristically hyper-visible chronograph registers: these are decorated with various accents (e.g. the hands and individual scales) that crib directly from the ‘Glacier Blue’ RS 2.7. In turn, the Carrera logo that historically adorned the RS 2.7’s door panel finds its way onto the left-side case flank – a fairly straightforward stylistic choice that looks much better in the metal than it does on paper.
On the accompanying NATO, this is a really handsome way for classic drivers to accessorise their (barely) road-legal rennsport, delivering a user experience that is as enjoyable as it is functional.
A similar stylistic execution is at play in the precious metal model, which uses Porsche’s famous ‘Guards Red’ to massive effect in both dial and strap (the latter being a dressy alligator number). Alongside the warm hues of the red gold case, it’s an elevated detail that transports the new Carrera model away from its sporting coterie and, potentially, into whatever scenario allows for the increasingly niche dress chronograph.
