It seems these two brands were destined to meet. On one side, we have the Monte Carlo Rally, established in 1911 and renowned as one of the world’s most challenging races. On the other, we have perhaps the world’s most famous car, the Porsche 911. While their origins are separated by decades – the first generation of the iconic sports car was released in 1964, long after the birth of the Monte Carlo Rally – enthusiasts of both marketing coincidences and numerology can appreciate this serendipitous connection.
Return of the Chronosprint duo
To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Porsche / TAG Heuer partnership, the Swiss watchmaker presents a new Chronosprint duo. This follows last year’s edition – the first – which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the 911 (1964–2024). That release featured two models, one in steel and one in gold, sharing the same face and movement.
TAG Heuer is deploying this winning formula once again, with a subtle twist. While the 2024 duo was called TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche, the 2025 vintage bears the name TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye, specifically created to honour the Monte Carlo Rally. And not just any edition of the Rally – the 1965 race, marking its 60th anniversary (that number, again!).
On the starting line
It was at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally that the brand-new Porsche 911 made its competitive debut, having been available in dealerships for barely a year. The chosen car, bearing the number 147, finished fifth overall and second in its category – a remarkable achievement for such a new entrant. Interestingly, one of the two men behind the wheel was Herbert Linge, one of Porsche’s first engineers. The company itself was only founded in 1931, not long before the race.
Turning to the dark side
The key difference between the 2024 and 2025 watch collections lies in the dial colour, which shifts from opaline white to deep black. The case retains its 42 mm diameter, with one version in steel and the other in yellow gold. The steel model comes with a steel bracelet and a leather strap, while the gold version is only available with a leather strap, in either brown or black.
Under the hood, both models house the excellent TH 20-08 calibre. This movement boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve, a rarity in the market. Its most distinctive feature, however, is the behaviour of the chronograph seconds hand. When activated, it makes a flying start, sweeping the first 8.4 seconds at high speed. This is a reference to the fact that the original Porsche 911 went from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds. After this initial burst, the seconds hand completes its rotation at a slightly slower pace to finish the full minute on time.
This acceleration/deceleration sequence is achieved through two snail-shaped cams visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. It’s a playful yet technical development, born from the creative mind of Carole Kasapi, TAG Heuer’s head of movement development in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Also noteworthy are the glassbox-type sapphire crystals front and back, reminiscent of those used on the standard 39 mm Carrera. These lend the pieces a delightful vintage air while providing excellent side visibility of the indices.
Prices held (almost) steady
The steel version joins the regular collection at €10,500, a €1,000 increase over the 2024 Chronosprint, largely due to the inclusion of a steel bracelet in 2025. The gold version maintains a similar price point (€24,200 compared to €23,900 in 2024) but is limited to just 11 pieces. To get your hands on one, you’ll need to be quicker than the 911’s 0–100 km/h sprint!
