TAG Heuer Boutique / Milton Keynes, 1st February 2025
On the same day that I got to try on the first three new Formula 1 Calibre 16 Chronographs, I was also able to get my hands on this recent limited edition Porsche Carrera Chronosprint Rallye. Limited to 911 pieces (because, Porsche) and coming in at a hefty £8950 this one costs a notable £900 more than the original (unlimited) Porsche Chronosprint.
Oddly, despite 'knowing' that this is a 42mm model, I still had to check with the guy in the boutique because it just doesn't look it. Once I put it against one of the 39mm models in the case I could see the difference, but even with a bracelet this watch wears nothing like a 42mm. I'm not crazy about the bracelet actually, it looks like a slightly melted version of the old Grand Carrera bracelet and just like those it has no micro adjustment, which is a shame in a watch at this price point. Saying that I've never had a problem with my Grand Carreras just using the half links, so it's probably not a massive dealbreaker.
As ever the Chronosprint movement is fun to see in action, though I can't help thinking it's 'unique' action renders it all but useless as a chronograph since timing anything over 20 seconds will be harder then it would with a normal chronograph. But then no one really uses chronographs anyway, do they? So it's best to see it as a fun gadget with a party trick to entertain oneself and one's horologically inclined friends.
Is it worth an extra £900 over the standard model? Well for me personally no, but I know a lot of vintage types are particularly keen on this one and I expect it to fare well in the 'COCO Watch of the Year' voting come December. I feel like I should have been way more excited about seeing this than I was, but in all honesty I was way more interested in the new Calibre 16 F1 Chronographs, which I really rather liked.
While I was at the boutique I also tried on one of the two new 'two-tone' Aquaracer Solargraphs and unfortunately it was the one with the blue dial and yellow gold bezel. Eeeesch, that dial is horrible. It truly looks like blue plastic, hardly an ideal combination in a precious metal bezel watch that costs £3600. Thankfully I did see the black dial/rose gold version in the cabinet and it did look a lot better, but I still didn't love it, honestly. And confusingly this one looks bigger than it's actual 40mm case size... weird.
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