VIDEO: TAG Heuer x Porsche Carrera Chronosprint Rallye Limited Edition by Doug FNJ

 

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronographs

 

TAG Heuer Boutique, Milton Keynes 1st February 2025

As I've said before, one of the things I truly love about TAG Heuer is that periodically they re-invent their products, which keeps things fresh and exciting... but doesn't always work for you. So it was with a little apprehension that I headed into the TAG Heuer boutique to try on the brand new Calibre 16 Formula 1 chronographs. After all, this was a big change in design and while I liked the photos I saw, we're all aware by now that the only way to 'know for sure' is to get them on the wrist.

I didn't honestly expect the Milton Keynes boutique to have all five models, and indeed neither the blue or the lime green/yellow (we really can't be sure yet) were available. In fact it seems like both of those watches are 'coming soon' and I was told that the blue one will only be sold in the UK via Beaverbrooks and Beaverbrooks owned TAG Heuer boutiques, while the yellow/lime green one will only be sold by Goldsmith/WOS/WOS owned TAG Heuer boutiques. 

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Limited Edition by Monochrome Watches

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer x Porsche Carrera Chronosprint Rallye

 

Before I start this post, I just want to apologize in advance to anyone who gets irritated by my use of the words Rally and Rallye... I tried to clarify which means what but it's very confusing. I figured maybe it's 'Rally Straps' but then I found loads of perforated straps called 'Rallye Straps'. Google AI suggests 'Rallye' indicates a motor race rather than a political 'Rally', but then elsewhere it's suggested that 'Rallye' is the plural of 'Rally' or indeed it might just be the French way of spelling 'Rally' (which obviously makes it sound much more luxurious). Anyway, sorry 'bout that...!

Believe it or not, someone on the THF Forum has already backed the Porsche Chronosprint Rallye for the '2025 COCO Watch of the Year'! Quite a statement when we're barely a third of the way through February... but let us not forget that the very first release of 2023 was the Carrera 60th Anniversary Panda, which absolutely annihilated the competition on its way to securing the crown.

But then the 'Panda' was always going to be a sure fire winner, which is precisely why it was the last of the old style 'glassbox' Carreras... and honestly why it was strange that it was one of the first new style 'glassbox' Carreras. After all, the watch industry very much operates on a policy of 'never quite give the people what they want because we might be able to sell them something else in the meantime'. 

Once you give them what they want, the theory goes, the customer is satisfied and will stop buying. Well, I don't know about that... most watch collectors will tend to find something 'else' they want regardless, but I suppose the principle is sound. 

Anyhoo... following on from my 'Top 10 TAG Heuer x Porsche' watch post a few weeks back, here we have two more to add to the collection... if they are in contention for the WOTY come December I wonder which one will come out on top, or will they split the vote allowing something else to sneak past like some sort of horological Kimi Raikkonnen. 🤣

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera 'Porsche Chronosprint' Chronograph by Monochrome Watches

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Carrera 'Porsche Chronosprint' Calibre TH20-08 Chronograph

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If you've been around for more than a couple of years you will probably remember TAG Heuer's previous motorsport collaboration with Aston Martin. That was a bit light on product with only a Formula 1, a  couple of Heuer 01 Carreras (one of which was only available if you bought a specific Aston Martin) and a Heuer 02T Tourbillon emerging before the companies went their separate ways. If I remember correctly this was because Aston Martin stopped sponsoring the Red Bull Formula 1 team, which paved the way for a new love-in with Porsche (who TAG Heuer were already working with in Formula E). 

Of course, Red Bull Racing now seem to be getting in to bed with Ford, so it remains to be seen what happens to the Porsche tie-in in the next few years. Regardless, the TAG Heuer/Porsche collaboration has already produced more watches than the TAG/AM partnership ever did, with these two representing watches number six and seven to date.

 

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Special Edition by Time & Tide