The Porsche 963 is a winner. Racking up podium finishes in over two-thirds of its races, the vehicle is, quite simply, built to succeed. Hailed as “the pinnacle of Porsche’s engineering expertise,” the race car notably celebrated its first major endurance race with a win at the 24 Hours of Daytona this year. Having dominated the racing world, the Porsche's appetite for winning has bled into the realm of horology by partnering with TAG Heuer to transform the Porsche 963 into a limited-edition chronograph.
Fittingly limited to just 963 pieces worldwide, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 features sub-dials with four Super-LumiNova blocks—a ceramic-based compound that captures and stores light to produce luminescence in the dark—echoing the iconic night-time visibility of the Porsche 911. This feature captures the thrill of 24-hour endurance races where drivers battle from dusk till dawn, and uncompromised legibility is vital.
Taking a page from the Porsche’s playbook, the 44mm watch features a bold skeletonised dial with tubular structural elements evocative of the race car's high-performance chassis. Forged from lightweight yet robust carbon, the bezel mirrors the engineering ethos behind the Porsche 963’s construction. Lift the hood and you’ll find a TH20-00 Calibre, a vertical clutch chronograph movement similar to the systems found in cars connecting the engine’s flywheel with the transmission. This ensures a smooth, "jump-free" chronograph operation. Y'know, like a Porsche.
While its technical specs are impressive, true beauty lies in the details. The red index at 4 o’clock isn’t just a splash of colour; it's a symbol of the surge of adrenaline as a race counts down. The watch’s rubber strap takes inspiration from NACA-style low-drag air inlets found in legendary Porsche race cars like the record-breaking Porsche 917. Even the oscillating mass—a hidden treat for watch enthusiasts—features the iconic Porsche steering wheel motif, further blurring the lines between wristwatch and race car.
For the fourth consecutive year, Louis Vuitton and the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) presented a bespoke Trophy Trunk for the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco. On Sunday, 26 May, tHE trunk revealed the winner’s trophy, the Trophy of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco, during the Monegasque National Anthem and Prize Giving Podium Ceremonies.
This dynamic collaboration between Louis Vuitton and ACM actively highlights their shared values of tradition, excellence, and the art of transmission. Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Albert II, the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco stands out as one of the most glamorous and widely viewed sporting events globally. The race celebrates legendary champions like Fangio, Hill, and Senna while also highlighting recent stars such as Alonso, Hamilton, and Verstappen.
Louis Vuitton's hard sided, special-orders atelier in Asnières crafted the Trophy Trunk with exceptional, historic savoir-faire. Inspired by the iconic race, the trunk features the Monaco flag's red on the emblematic Monogram. Additionally, red lines form a "V" for "Victory," accented with a white band reminiscent of the race track. This Trophy Trunk continues the Maison's important tradition of crafting bespoke cases for the world's most iconic sports trophies.
Louis Vuitton’s creation of the Official Trophy Travel Case for the Grand Prix de Monaco is another example of its storied tradition of crafting bespoke travel cases for the world's most iconic trophies. They include the FIFA World Cup, NBA Larry O’Brien Trophy, League of Legends Trophy, Rugby World Cup France 2023, Davis Cup, Roland Garros, and the America’s Cup.
As a testament to its enduring craftsmanship, Louis Vuitton will present specially designed medal and torch trunks for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These trunks will play a pivotal role in key celebratory moments, including the Olympic and Paralympic Torches Relays. Furthermore, the trunks will be prominently showcased at the Champions Park—a free-to-public access during the games.
