TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph: A Guide To This Cool Racing Watch 

For those less familiar with the world of horology, the Swiss brand TAG Heuer is a company with many ties to the racing industry. Not only does it specialise in making racing watches, but TAG Heuer has also famously sponsored some popular races, while also working with a number of car manufacturers. This includes companies like Autavia, Porsche, and Monaco, many of which the brand has collaborated with to produce timepieces as well. Indeed, as a company, TAG Heuer is well respected for all the support it has given the racing sport.

Over the years, TAG Heuer has developed a wide range of fashionable, high-utility racing timepieces that cater to both professional drivers and casual racing fans. These racing watches are intended to help make a driver’s life easier, both in daily life and on the racetrack. In the spirit of that brand mission, TAG Heuer worked tirelessly with Porsche to introduce the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition in 2020. Hailing from the TAG Heuer Carrera line, the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche shows off the trademark TAG Heuer functionality and flair.

Without further ado, let us take a closer look at the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition and everything it has to offer.

Specifications

Case, Bezel, and Crown

The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492, better known as the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition, comes in a finely brushed stainless steel case measuring 44mm in diameter. This is a rather average size, so the watch can fit quite well on wrists of all sizes without being too heavy or too small. That said, this TAG Heuer watch also has thick, well-bevelled lugs that slant downwards, giving the watch a bulkier look. As such, it is a good choice for those who enjoy watches that wear a little larger on their wrists.

Attached to the top of the watch case is a fixed matte black bezel made out of scratch-resistant ceramic. This bezel has markers in a neat white typeface for its tachymeter bezel, which wearers can use to quickly calculate the speed at which they are going. On the upper right side of the bezel, the word “PORSCHE” is written in deep red. Aside from adding a splash of vibrant colour to this black-and-white watch face to break up its monotony, this also distinguishes the watch as a special edition collaboration with the Porsche luxury car company, reinforcing its unique status.

On the right side of the watch case, you can also find a thick crown. This crown has smooth, polished edges, along with a bright red ridge that runs around it. This stylish ridge helps break up the smooth profile of the crown, allowing wearers to grip and turn it more easily. The top of the crown also bears an embossed image of the TAG Heuer logo in black, enhancing the refined look of this watch. Surrounding the crown are two slimmer pushers, which show off polished sides and thick black ridges that run around their middle. These pushers are used to control this TAG Heuer Carrera Porshe watch’s chronograph functions.

Caseback

The caseback of the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph is made out of durable stainless steel and a sapphire crystal insert. This is an exquisite design that is commonly found on luxury watches. Through this transparent sapphire glass, you get a full view of the watch’s movement at work. Engraved on the stainless steel ring around the glass are the watch’s details, including information on its collection, its water-resistance capacity, its place of manufacture, and more.

Dial

The dial of the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492 offers a stylish look that only gets cooler the more you look at it. In keeping with the watch’s racecar theme, this dial comes in a rough grey finish, mimicking the texture of an asphalt road. 

As a chronograph piece, this watch’s dial is also packed quite full of complications. It is adorned with double-digit Arabic numerals in a bolded white typeface, silver skeletal hands, and a subtle red and white minute track on the rim of the dial.

Towards the centre of the watch face, you can find three chronograph sub-dials that serve as the 60-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour counters. Each of these sub-dials has smooth, matte black finishes and indicators that come in red and white, standing out clearly against the black backdrop. The markings on the chronograph sub-dials are also very reminiscent of the counters on race car dashboards, which further reinforces the watch’s racing motif.  Finally, a compact date window can be found at 6 o’clock, overlapping the 30-minute counter.

The hands and hour indices of this watch are all generously coated with white-coloured lume. When viewed in the dark, they light up in a vivid green hue, which allows wearers to see the watch face more clearly. Not only does this help improve legibility under poor lighting conditions, but this powerful lume display also adds to the visual appeal of the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph.

Movement

The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492 is powered by an in-house TAG Heuer Calibre HEUER02 Automatic. This self-winding movement is one of TAG Heuer’s best chronograph movements to date. Aside from beating at an efficient frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), it also possesses an outstanding 80-hour power reserve. Thanks to this calibre, you could easily leave the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph aside for a weekend without having to worry about winding or resetting it. 

Strap

The watch strap of the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492 is probably one of the best things this watch has to offer. By offering a smooth black calfskin leather strap of excellent quality, TAG Heuer perfectly captures the feel of a Porsche car’s luxurious interior. In addition, the strap also has a rather unusual design, with white stitching that runs right down the middle of the strap, adding to the stylish personality of this watch too. 

If this comfortable leather strap is not your preferred style, fear not. TAG Heuer gives you the option of getting a stainless steel bracelet with the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph, complete with a secure folding clasp. Both watch strap choices exude class and luxury and are a perfect fit for the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph.

Price

Considering its special edition status and prestigious TAG Heuer branding, the relatively exorbitant price of the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492 is to be expected. The standard version of the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Ref. CBN2A1F.FC6492 retails at $6,350 USD, while the stainless steel bracelet variant sells at around $6,550 USD.

Alternatives to the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph 

1. Longines Spirit Chronograph Ref. L38204530

If you enjoy traditional, timeless watches, then the Longines Spirit Chronograph Ref. L38204530 will be right up your alley. This Longines timepiece is encased in a 42mm stainless steel case, coupled with a handsome dark brown leather strap.

Like the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph, this watch is a chronograph piece. As such, it also comes with a thick crown and two handy pushers for the chronograph function. One interesting thing about this watch, however, is that it is also equipped with a helium escape valve. This helps relieve the internal pressure that builds up in the watch case while underwater, so you can safely bring this watch along with you on all your water-based adventures. Thanks to its screw-down caseback and helium escape valve, this Longines Spirit timepiece has a solid 100-metre depth rating. 

The dial of this watch also shows off a classic matte black finish. Even as a chronograph watch, this dial follows a very simple and easy-to-read layout. It comprises thick Arabic numeral hour markers, sweeping sword hands, and three chronograph sub-dials for the 60-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour counters. A small date aperture can also be found between 4 and 5 o’clock. All of these functions are driven by a Longines Calibre L688.4. This is an excellent automatic movement with a power supply of 66 hours. 

The Longines Spirit Chronograph Ref. L38204530 is priced at $3,100 USD. 

2. Victorinox FieldForce Classic Chrono Ref. 241928

Next up, we have the Victorinox FieldForce Classic Chrono Ref. 241928, which is Swiss watch brand Victorinox’s take on a rugged field watch. As a modern spin on the classic field watch, this timepiece combines a robust build with impressive, up-to-date watch technology and innovations. 

This Victorinox FieldForce watch is presented in a 42mm stainless steel case and a supple brown leather strap. Affixed to the top of the case is a black tachymeter bezel, which blends perfectly with the watch’s matte black dial.  This dial is also furnished with Arabic numeral hour markers in a stylised typeface, long sword-shaped hands, and a date complication at 6 o’clock. Super-LumiNova is also generously applied to all the watch’s hands and indices for optimal readability.

This watch also has a chronograph layout, which is quite unusual since chronographs are typically not found on field timepieces. This dial showcases three chronograph sub-dials for the 60-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour counters. The sub-dials are all outlined in silver, so they stand out more clearly against the rest of the dial. The watch’s chronograph capabilities and other timekeeping functions all run on a powerful quartz chronograph mechanism.

The Victorinox FieldForce Classic Chrono Ref. 241928 has a price tag of just $450 USD, making it the most affordable alternative on this list. 

3. Omega Speedmaster Racing Ref. 326.30.40.50.02.001

Omega is another watchmaking brand that also frequently deals with chronographs and racing watches. Although it is best known for its Speedmaster Moonwatch timepieces, the Swiss brand also has a line of impressive racing pieces under its belt. One example is the sleek Omega Speedmaster Racing Ref. 326.30.40.50.02.001, which is designed to meet all of the requirements of a professional racer. 

This Omega Speedmaster watch uses a 40mm stainless steel case and a matching three-link bracelet made out of the same material. Stainless steel is extremely resistant to both scratches and impacts, and the watch’s stainless steel composition contributes to its toughness, which is important given that racing is a sport where accidents are common. The watch case and bracelet are also smoothly polished, giving the timepiece a stylish lustre.

A slim black tachymeter bezel is fitted on top of the watch case. It contrasts sharply against the rest of the watch, with its all-silver exterior and its soft, grey-white dial. This dial is also adorned with long hour indices, slender grey sword hands, and a date window at 6 o’clock. Three chronograph sub-dials of varying sizes can also be found on the dial, for the 60-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour counters. These sub-dials show off attractive honeycomb designs, which stand out against the plain finish of the dial and add to the visual appeal of this watch.

Inside this watch, you can find an Omega Calibre 3330. This automatic movement offers a reliable power supply of 52 hours. This watch is also water-resistant up to depths of 100 metres, much like the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph.

The Omega Speedmaster Racing Ref. 326.30.40.50.02.001 costs approximately $3,700 USD. 

Final Thoughts

If you are a fan of racing, then you can bet that TAG Heuer will surely have the best watch for you, especially considering the brand’s dedication to and long history with the sport. As part of the brand’s collaboration with Porsche, the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition is a further testament to TAG Heuer’s long, racing-related heritage. Stylish, classy, and with high-utility functions, the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph is a watch that will certainly not disappoint.  

All images courtesy of The Watch Company, unless stated otherwise.

Featured image courtesy of TAG Heuer.

If you are still looking for the right chronograph watch, be sure to check out our review on the Citizen Super Titanium Collection.