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Saturday, 8 April 2006 | Levent OZLER
TAG Heuer Chronographs Powered by Avant-garde Movements
Prestige, Precision and Performance: TAG Heuer's Avant-Garde Heritage
More than any other Swiss watch brand, TAG Heuer has a time-proven capacity for transforming horological dreams into reality. The only watch company to master 1/10th, 1/100th, 1/1000th of a second simultaneously in wrist-worn chronographs, TAG Heuer has repeatedly stunned the watch making world by turning the most avant-garde concepts and innovations into high-prestige, ultra-luxury timepieces. Founded in 1860 and registered in 1882 as one of Switzerland's very first manufacturers of chronographs, TAG Heuer is the undisputed world leader of prestigious chronographs and chronograph movements today.
Along the way, the brand has written some of the greatest chapters in watch making history, starting with the famous patent of the oscillating pinion in 1887, still an essential component in today's mechanical chronographs and still used in TAG Heuer Calibre 16. In 1916, TAG Heuer's Micrograph stopwatch was the first to achieve 1/100th of a second accuracy. In 1969, it launched the Chronomatic Calibre 11, the first automatic chronograph with a microrotor. In 2002, TAG Heuer unveiled the Microtimer, the first Swiss wristwatch accurate to 1/1000th of a second, and winner of the Best Design Award at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. In 2004, after winning the Best Design Award again for its Monaco Sixty Nine, TAG Heuer launched the revolutionary Monaco V4 Concept Watch, which was named "Watch of the Year" by Wallpaper magazine and "Best of What's New" by Popular Science. In 2005, TAG Heuer presented the Calibre 360 Concept Chronograph, the world's first mechanical wrist chronograph accurate to 1/100th of a second and the Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta, which revolutionized the way we read chronographs, and is considered the world's easiest-to-read chronograph today with its bidirectional engines and hands displaying date, fractions of time and countdown.
Monaco Calibre 360 LS Concept Chronograph
At BASELWORLD 2006, TAG Heuer introduces the next evolutionary phase of its 1/100th of a second chronograph technology: the Monaco Calibre 360 LS (Linear Second) Concept Chronograph, a daring new timepiece with an all-new architecture proudly exposing the unparalleled Calibre 360 LS precision technology within.
Inspired by the Avant-Garde Monaco V4 design, the dial-less Monaco Calibre 360 LS uses meticulously hand-finished engine bridges to reveal the functions:
- Oversized 1/100th of a second chronograph counter exterior to the chronograph engine at 6 o'clock
- 15-minute chronograph counter embedded in the chronograph engine at 9 o'clock
- 100-minute power reserve indicator, also embedded, at 12 o'clock
- a linear second indicator, also embedded, at 3 o'clock
The bridges' 7 distinct gold metal coated finishing not only improve the chronograph's readability, but also create an undeniably Avant-Garde and prestigious façade. Square-faced and in classic Monaco spirit, the Monaco Calibre 360 LS is true to the original yet resolutely contemporary, with a highly-faceted polished steel case, curved sapphire crystal glass with case-integrated facets, and embedded indications within the chronograph engine. The 2 square sapphire crystal windows on the case back provide a very different perspective on the Calibre 360 LS movement, beautifully decorated with Côte de Genève pattern. The detailing is also unique: protective sleeves for chronograph push buttons and fully integrated rubber strap with solid folding buckle and safety push buttons.
Given TAG Heuer's undisputed track record of commercializing seemingly impossible concept watches and chronographs, the Monaco Calibre 360 LS Concept Chronograph begs the question: when will it too become a reality?
Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold Limited Edition (500 pcs)
At BASELWORLD 2005, TAG Heuer presented the Calibre 360 Concept Chronograph, the first mechanical wrist chronograph to measure and display time to 1/100th of a second. Now, at BASELWORLD 2006, privileged collectors looking for the most accurate mechanical timepiece ever made will have their first glimpse of the Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold, in a special limited edition of only 500 pieces.
The Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold Limited Edition pays homage to the peerless timekeeping heritage and longstanding links to motor racing of TAG Heuer's formidable Carrera series. Launched in 1964, the first Carrera timepiece derived its name from the grueling Carrera Panamericana road race, and was worn by the Maestro, racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio. The horological descendent, the Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold Limited Edition features sober, easy-to-read-and-use details inspired by TAG Heuer's vintage stopwatches. These include the extra large Start/Stop push button; the enhanced fluted crown; the 100-minute chronograph power reserve at 12 o'clock; and the oversized 1/100th of a second counter at 6 o'clock.
The Calibre 360 beats 10 times faster than the most precise mechanical wristwatch movements on the market today. It is like a living being endowed with two hearts - 2 sets of escapement mechanisms - allowing it to cruise at regular speed (28,800 oscillations/hour) under normal conditions, then accelerate to immense speed (360,000 oscillations/hour) in chronograph mode. For a movement to be this incredibly precise requires more than 230 components, a lightened and miniaturized hairspring and escapement mechanism (26% smaller in diameter than an ordinary balance wheel), and finally, no fewer than 3 exclusive worldwide patents:
1. 1/100th of a second display on a mechanical wrist chronograph
2. Bi-directional crown and rewind system: The single crown controls the automatic watch and the mechanical chronograph, as well as the watch's hour and date setting. When turned counter-clockwise, it rewinds the automatic watch; when turned clockwise, it rewinds the manual chronograph..
3. Transmission of the date from the base of the movement to the upper dial.
With this special limited edition, the Calibre 360 movement is graced with the luxurious design, materials, and craftsmanship it deserves: an elegant chocolate-brown "guilloché" dial with hand-applied 18ct rose gold hands and indexes; 18ct rose gold watch case; and chocolate-brown, hand-sewn alligator strap. The sapphire crystal case back offers a glimpse of the oscillating weight specially engraved with the movement's name and beautifully decorated with Côte de Genève pattern.
The Carrera Calibre 360 is also available in:
Carrera Calibre 360 White Gold Limited Edition (100 pcs)
18 ct white gold case; silver "guilloché" dial with blue-ring 1/100th of a second counter; dark blue hand-sewn alligator strap.
Carrera Calibre 360 Steel Limited Edition (360 pcs)
Polished steel case; black "guilloché" dial with silver-ringed 1/100th of a second counter; black alligator strap.
Monaco Sixty Nine
Launched at BASELWORLD 2002, TAG Heuer's Microtimer, the first Swiss wristwatch accurate to 1/1000th of a second, won the prestigious Best Design Award at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. In 2003, this revolutionary watch was commercialized and became one of that year's most coveted timepieces.
At BASELWORLD 2003, TAG Heuer unveiled the Monaco Sixty Nine Concept Watch, a daring timepiece incorporating the Microtimer's unbeatable accuracy into the iconic Monaco series. The Monaco Sixty Nine is a reversible, mechanical/digital watch: on one side, the classic, square-cased Monaco dial and hand-wound movement; on the other, the high-tech digital quartz movement of the Microtimer. This innovative dual personality combining the 19th with the 21st century, makes it not only the world's first reversible, mechanical/digital watch, but also the first mechanical watch with a 1/1000th of a second chronograph.
The Avant-Garde nature of the Monaco Sixty Nine presented immense construction challenges to the realization of a viable product: how to deal with problems of friction on the ingenious turning mechanism; how to minimize thickness and weight; how to ensure water resistance in a 2-piece case requiring 11 rubber gaskets; and above all, how to bring the watch to assembly-line production.
TAG Heuer's technical teams resolved these problems by boldly rethinking tradition. The result is the Monaco Sixty Nine. True to the legendary motor-racing heritage of the Monaco series, this timekeeping instrument can time and memorize 80 motor-racing laps to 1/1000th of a second accuracy. Available on the market today, the Monaco Sixty Nine is a testament to TAG Heuer's unparalleled ability to transform revolutionary ideas into reality. Daring in design and highly accurate in measuring time, the Monaco Sixty Nine probably embodies more than any other TAG Heuer Sport & Glamour timepiece.
About TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer, the reference in prestigious sports watches and chronographs since 1860, is now the fourth luxury brand in the world watch market. The Swiss watchmaking legend draws from its active engagement in the world of sports to create the most accurate measuring instruments and sports watches in the world. From the Olympic Games in the 1920s to its role as official timekeeper at 1/10.000th of a second for the legendary Indy 500, TAG Heuer, in a constant quest for innovation, excellence, performance and prestige, continues to aim ever higher, as reflected in its partnerships with Team McLaren Mercedes in Formula 1 racing, world vice-champion in 2005 with its two drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raïkkönen. With world number 1 golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Maria Sharapova, Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Uma Thurman and Bollywood icons Shah Ruk Khan or Sushmita Sen, TAG Heuer more than ever stands for Sport and Glamour!
TAG Heuer: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/7226/
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