Cars and watches have an obvious overlap, with the most desirable timepieces and the most sought-after sports vehicles both emphasising high-performance and stunning design. It’s a relationship that goes back decades no watch brand is more closely associated with motorsports than TAG Heuer and its legendary partnership with Porsche. Both brands share a passion for innovation and since the release of the first Carrera watch in 1963 TAG Heuer has regularly presented watch geeks with motorsports-inspired watches.
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TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition | Image: TAG Heuer
Having recently dropped a stunning new addition to the refined Carrera line, TAG Heuer now hits us with a watch that couldn’t be more different. The Connected x Porsche Special Edition looks more like a prop from a Bladerunner movie than a vintage The Wind Up – Watch News #9. It’s a large piece that employs the latest technology and provides a delightful contrast to the subtle elegance of the Carrera. Of course, to get the most out of this new release you’ll need to already own a compatible Porsche.
Inspired by the ice blue of a Porsche Taycan, this special edition watch is a new take on TAG Heuer’s relationship with the automotive industry. But that makes sense. As much as we love the retro-chic of the Carrera, it’s also pleasing to see a Swiss watchmaker match the cutting-edge technology of the luxury car market.
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition | Image: TAG Heuer
Stylistically, this watch is a marvel. The case is crafted from black titanium, a metal that is lighter and stronger than stainless steel, and the ceramic bezel features a scale that references the speed of Porsche’s cars. This is used to measure your car’s functions and your heart rate and, in a nice touch, there are frozen blue accents at the top and bottom. These flashes of colour continue on the crown and pushers, with the brand boasting that the pushers are designed to mimic those of a mechanical watch.
But it’s the eye-catching futuristic dial that makes this watch a winner for a new generation of luxury watch buyers. It’s an intriguing mix of a printed circuit board and a motor racing circuit. But in a nod to the brand’s heritage, the dial features three traditional chronograph-style sub-dials. That’s where you view the step counter, your heart rate and car-related info.
Since 2015 the brand has been pushing the boundaries of smartwatches and this dark and brooding titanium model is their most advanced yet. Not only does the design evoke a sense of speed and transformation, but that’s what the customised version of Google’s Wear OS delivers. These aren’t your familiar watch complications. Instead, this TAG Heuer Connected model offers a range of exclusive timers and sports and wellness apps. And it has a brighter screen and better battery life than previous Connected models.
Speaking of this partnership, Detlev von Platen from Porsche AG suggested that the two brands are “fearless and disruptive in their respective fields”. We second that. If you own one of Porsche’s new generation of compatible cars, then you can’t go wrong with the companion luxury watch.
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition | Image: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition
Diameter: 45mm
Strap: Carbon-like Black Calfskin
Case: Black DLC Titanium
Operating System: Wear2 by Google
Water Resistance: 50M
Price: AUD$4,000
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition | Image: TAG Heuer
