From its inception in 1911, the Monte Carlo Rally was recognized as one of the most difficult auto races in the world. Before the format changed in 1997, the rally’s unpredictable conditions and challenging Alpine roads made it a proving ground for both cars and drivers. Porsche’s 911 sports car – introduced in September 1964 – made its competitive debut at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally. The German automaker entered a lightly modified 911 road car with the starting number 147. Despite the snow-covered roads and limited visibility, the car performed beyond all expectations and finished fifth overall and second in its class. The treacherous conditions tested the car’s performance and the precision of the timekeeping instruments, which came from non-other than Heuer, the predecessor of TAG Heuer.
Available in steel or yellow gold, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye features a glossy black dial with red and beige accents inspired by the Heuer timer used in car 147. The black dial echos the faces of the car’s dash-mounted Heuer Master Time/Monte Carlo stopwatches, the dial’s finish evokes the shimmering effect of the car’s bodywork, and the beige markers and Arabic numerals reference the modified steering wheel. Red lines on the right side of the flange are a graphic representation of the 8.4 second 0 to 100 km/h sprint achieved by the 911 during the 1965 rally. While contrasting silver rings on the azure subdials add visual depth. The Carrera’s signature glass-box construction, on the front and the back of the 42-mm case, allows for an uninterrupted view of the Calibre Heuer 02 (TH20-08) Chronosprint movement. Equipped with a Porsche steering wheel-shaped oscillating mass, the in-house movement delivers an 80 hour power reserve. In a nod to the iconic Porsche, the steel model ($10,250.00) is limited to 911 pieces, while the 18K yellow gold version ($24,600.00) is limited to 11 pieces.
Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye – tagheuer.com
