Horological Meandering

TAG Heuer launches premium upgrades to its major Formula 1, SLR and Grand

Carrera GT and motor-racing-inspired collections and sets a new milestone by

integrating its latest Concept Chronograph, the Grand CARRERA Calibre 36 RS

Caliper, into the dashboard of a

Ken Okuyama-designed and TAG Heuer-inspired GT sportscar.

At Baselworld 2008, TAG Heuer extends its lead even further by pushing its avant-garde motorracing

lines into the outer reaches of luxury, and by partnering with Ken Okuyama to create a

watchmaking world first: a futuristic high performance eco-responsible GT Concept Car inspired by a

TAG Heuer Concept Chronograph!

Back in the 1980s, the original TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 helped establish the brand as a world leader

in the prestigious sports watch market. Now completely revamped and redesigned, it will star in the

To celebrate Kimi Räikkönen’s extraordinary career, and in particular his 2007 FIA World Champion

sublimely touched with red, TAG Heuer logo and Kimi Räikkönen inscription, as well as precise to

rubber strap.

This new addition to the TAG Heuer Formula 1 line is endowed with an oversized case (44mm). Five

front of the pack: black titanium carbide-coated case, bezel, crown, pushbuttons, black dial and rubber

strap. Also available with polished steel case, titanium carbide-coated bezel, crown, and pushbuttons

and a choice of black or silver dial and stainless steel bracelet or black rubber strap.

From zero to 80 kmh in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 300 kmh, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren,

launched in 2004, is one of the world’s most powerful and exclusive sports cars.

The first SLR chronograph, produced in 2004, marked the next step in a successful partnership that

has linked Mercedes with TAG Heuer since 1995 (and McLaren since 1985) These high-luxury brands

share the same core values: performance, design, prestige, innovation, and, of course, a passion for

car racing. The mutual history and heritage goes back even further, to 1955, the year TAG Heuer

Ambassador Juan Manuel Fangio drove the first Mercedes SLR (Sports, Light, Racer) “Silver Arrow”

around the hairpin bends of the Mille Miglia,” one of the most hair-raising and breathtaking circuits in

motor racing. Fangio was wearing on his wrist that day, just as countless Formula One drivers ever

since, a TAG Heuer timepiece – called Heuer at the time.

This limited edition is exclusively reserved for the owners of the SLR dream car. Like the ultra-luxury

sports car that inspired it, is an audaciously high-tech creation with the look and allure of a true classic.

Still in production and regularly acquired by new SLR owners, the SLR Calibre 36 R is powered by the

36,000 beats/hour superlative TAG Heuer mechanical chronograph movement exclusively equipped

with a regulator plate separating the hour hand from the minute hand, hence faithfully reflecting the

SLR dream car dashboard.

An all-new upscale chronograph with a 43mm dial and a powerful design capitalizing on the most

distinctive SLR chronograph elements: pushbuttons on the top of the case, Mercedes star logo on the

dial, and distinctively shaped hands. This chronograph, dedicated to dream car lovers and sportswatch

connoisseurs, comes in an exclusive limited edition of 3,500 pieces – equal to the number of SLR cars

to be manufactured.

The next stage in the evolution of the SLR series, this model combines a much more complex and

aggressive look with a larger dial (45mm) and two avant-garde features specific to the SLR series:

also represents a new advancement in TAG Heuer’s exclusive Calibre S movement. The revolutionary

Calibre S has been further evolved to create a unique motor–racing inspired mechanism: combining

The original CARRERA was born in the pits and paddocks of the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 1962,

Bejeweled with 68 Top Wesselton diamonds (1.13 carats) on its polished fixed stainless-steel bezel,

the new unisex Grand CARRERA Calibre 6 RS is classically elegant and subtly daring, with a brown

dial and a choice of steel or alligator strap with solid steel folding clasp. The 40.2mm diameter

timepiece is equipped with a TAG Heuer Calibre 6 RS movement, with Rotating Small Second System

at 6 o’clock decorated with “Côtes de Genève” and diamond polished facets. Other features include

solid steel folding clasp with safety pushbuttons and applied TAG Heuer logo.

The first-ever TAG Heuer automatic movement with a “large date” now proudly sparkles with 72 Top

Wesselton diamonds (1.2 carats) on its polished fixed stainless-steel bezel. The hand-applied “Grand

Date” is visible through a beveled aperture at 12 o’clock. Ideal for chic globetrotters, the bigger,

sports a black dial and a steel bracelet or black alligator strap with solid-steel folding clasp featuring

safety pushbuttons and applied TAG Heuer logo.

A COSC-certified chronograph in solid 18-carat rose gold: the larger (43mm) stopwatch size, screwedin

crown, screw-in pushbuttons and hand-applied date window at 6 o’clock, give it the distinctive look

of a classic TAG Heuer chronograph. Two limited editions of 500 are available with hand-sewn brown

alligator strap, solid 18-carat gold pin buckle, and a silver or brown dial equipped with 2 Rotating

Systems in solid 18-carat rose gold (small seconds at 3 o’clock; chronograph minute at 9 o’clock).

“The interior of the K.O. 7 was inspired by the Grand Carrera, and we mounted the extraordinary

chronographs are constructed in rich lightweight materials of the finest quality. Like the K.O. 7, their

powerful proportions catch your eye first, and then you discover the depth of refinement, the beautiful

craftsmanship, and the attention to detail.

Collaborating with TAG Heuer made it possible to demonstrate something in common between our two

industries: an endless quest for quality, performances and design innovations driven by new

technologies.”

The breathtaking new creation has a stylish 43mm, black titanium carbide-coated case, and a Calibre

36 RS movement with power reserve and two “Black Gold” Rotating Systems indicating the

chronograph minutes at 3 o’clock and the chronograph hours at 6 o’clock. It also features a Linear

Second at 9 o’clock. Another principle design innovation is the way in which it displays this information.

second – magnified 10X! The new Titanium carbide-coated and rubber bracelet with folding buckle is

another stunning innovation.

President & CEO and Ken Okuyama. Available in an exclusive limited edition of 99 vehicles, it will be

showcased at the TAG Heuer booth throughout Baselworld 2008. An exceptional momentum

celebrating TAG Heuer’s unique racing DNA as well as passion for advanced technology and design

and unparallel support to avant-garde designers!

and Pininfarina S.p.A. He has overseen design for Ferrari Enzo, Maserati Quattroporte and many

others. Alongside "Ken Okuyama Cars” and his various consultancy practices, Ken produces several

premium avant-garde design products, including "Yamagata Koubou" furniture and the "Ken Okuyama

Eyes" eyewear series. The author of several books on design, he is currently a visiting professor at the

Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, California), Tama Art University, Kanazawa Art College, and

the Nagoya University of Arts (Japan). He is also Vice Chairman for the "Good Design Award."

A dream machine for a dream chronograph… A unique momentum to celebrate TAG Heuer’s unique

racing DNA and commitment to design, technology and environmental responsibility!