TAG Heuer and Porsche are two strong names, each in its own industry. Watches and cars go hand in hand with a heritage and a history intertwined. For these two Maisons, the collaboration brings new perspectives, a joint pool of fans and enthusiasts and extraordinary pieces.
To better understand the TAG Heuer X Porsche joint experience, the brands invited a group of journalists to live the full range offered by this, beneficial I would say, collaboration. Visiting Porsche Museum, tasting first-hand the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and driving in the Porsche Drive Experience were some of the activities in which I was delighted to participate.
TAG Heuer introduces the Carrera X Porsche Limited Edition
Before talking about the activities, let’s talk about the watches that were the star of these events: the TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche Limited Edition Ref. CBN2A1H.FC6512 and the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4.
Being the latest fruit of the collaboration, the limited edition of Carrera X Porsche brings the confidence of the Porsche’s spirit and its daring racing yellow to the wrist. And if you think that sounds like a boring marketing line, just look how cool Patrick Dempsey looks with this watch on its wrist…
The automatic chronograph Ref. CBN2A1H.FC6512 is based on the last year’s piece with some cosmetic changes. The extensive review of the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02 Porsche Special Edition can be found here.
The yellow accents on the dial and on the strap give an exceptionally sporty and cool look to this limited edition. While I loved the tarmac theme of the last year’s model, the new black and yellow is fitting well and appear a bit more concise and direct (the previous model played with the grey of the tarmac in a steel case adorned with red Porsche details).
As you can see, the TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche Limited Edition is in its own element on the wrist between sports cars. You have the same excellent design updated with new colours and the same details that highlight the collaboration.
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4
Earlier this year, TAG Heuer introduced the latest version of its wearable: TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4. The new E4 is available in two sizes – 42mm and respectively 45 with design changes on both look and brains. Both sizes offer interchangeable straps and bracelets and a pleasant experience.
The 45mm TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 brings a superb screen surrounded by a ceramic bezel. The pushers and the crown offer an unparalleled feel, very natural and easy to use. The feedback is excellent.
The 42mm is a new size dedicated to those wanting a more sophisticated and elegant look with a domed sapphire crystal. Due to its dimensions, the 42mm version feels lighter and more streamlined on the wrist, but lacks the dedicated bezel.
The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 is a complete package: it offers the amazing look and feel of a real watch but also the excellent integration of the Google Wear OS2 with the spectacular and excellent programmed features from TAG Heuer. The dedicated TAG Heuer team for the development and maintenance of the Connected software does an excellent job.
While I am a fanatic of traditional watches, I have to admit the Connected line of TAG Heuer is one of the best out there: the expressivity of the metal shaped by the brand’s experience and the power of the software improved by innovation and imagination in an overall unbeatable package.
The TAG Heuer X Porsche experiences
Porsche Musem
The simplest experience that fans of both brands can experience is a visit to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Here, one can learn about Porsche’s history and why is a horse on the brand’s heraldic.
The Porsche museum is home to an amazing collection. For example one of the first full-electric cars was built a century before e-mobility was a hot topic. Another example is the world’s first hybrid automobile built in 1900 and presented by Porsche at the 1901 Paris Motor Show.
Porsche also built the first fire truck with an integrated water pump: such a normal design for our days was an unthinkable back then (petrol and fire together?).
Only later, starting with the 356, the cars produced by the small family brand bore the name Porsche on the bonnet. And the rest is history…
Some things are still worth mentioning: Ferdinand Porsche designed the Volkswagen Beetle that was produced between 1938 and 2003 in a staggering number of 21,529,464 units.
The 1973 produced Porsche 917/30 Spyder, was such a cool and powerful car that the Americans changed the racing regulations to exclude it. So much for fair play…
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Hold under Play. Love. Live. motto, this year’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is another event and place where the fans of both brands could enjoy a good time. Between 18 and 24th of April, this year, the tennis grand prix had as a sponsor and partner TAG Heuer.
The indoor games are an interesting experience and offer the chance to learn a bit more about the differences between field types and how to use and overcome various issues. I had the pleasure to witness an interesting game between the TAG Heuer Ambassador Petra Kvitová and Karolina Pliskova.
The 32 years old tennis player is a strong contender placed 30 in the WTA ranking.
I enjoyed the match wearing the 45mm version of the new TAG Heuer Connected E4.
Porsche Driving Experience
A bit costlier but definitively the most powerful and fun experience is to drive a Porsche on the circuit at the Porsche Experience Center Hockenheimring. There you can fully experience the joy of driving the 911 or go full electric with the Taycan.
Not only that you are able to drive or be a co-pilot in some of the most amazing cars on the planet but you also learn interesting things. I had my fair share of safety driving trainings (including on wet asphalt) and still had a lot to learn and understand about car and circuit physics.
Above is the 911 Targa 4GTS that I had the pleasure to drive on the race track.
A night at the Opera Tennis Grand Prix, a day at the races
While many songs from Queen come right now into my mind, I have to tell that the wide palette of fun possible with TAG Heuer and Porsche is amazing. From history and heritage to the latest technologies and sustainability, one can find, without a doubt, something to like.
The pure joy of mechanics found in Porsche 911 or TAG Heuer Carrera where purists and enthusiasts pay respect to the heritage and sports chapter of both brands or to the view into the future with Connected E4 and Porsche Taycan.
I have to mention that both big brands are working towards a better future. Thinking especially at TAG Heuer, the new Connected modularity permits an easier change of the battery by your watchmaker and offers a trade-in program for older Connected watches.
I would like to thank TAG Heuer and Porsche for the exceptional days that made this article possible.
