March 15, 2007 It’s coming up to the annual Basel Watch and Jewelry Fair in Switzerland, where some of the world’s most desirable gizmos will be shown for the first time, and luxury watch manufacturer TAG Heuer has announced its sporty line of spring 2007 timepieces in advance of the event today. The collection includes a redesigned TAG Heuer Formula 1 line, 2007 Monaco Vintage Limited Edition, the latest SLR for Mercedes-Benz, the Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph Day-Date line and Aquaracer Calibre S models.
TAG Heuer Formula 1
Reinterpreted with a hot new look and dynamic range of colors TAG Heuer's line of Formula 1 timepieces continues to evoke the "need for speed." The collection retains its desirable six-sport watch features which include a screw-in crown, titanium carbide coated unidirectional turning bezel with raised fine-brushed steel numbers, water resistance to 200 meters, luminescent hands and markers, sapphire crystal and double safety clasp with extension system.
The watch is offered with a black, red or white dial and the chronograph with an orange, red, silver or black dial. Both the watches and chronographs are available on a stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap.
Monaco Vintage Limited Edition
The latest iteration of the iconic square dial originally made famous by Steve McQueen, pays tribute to the Porsche-Gulf 917K racecar featured in the legendary cult film "Le Mans." Beyond cool, this 2007 limited edition piece has a black dial with orange and blue stripes, vintage "GULF" logo at 6 o'clock and matching black alligator strap with orange stitching.
TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz
Demonstrating the strong alliance among TAG Heuer, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the 2007 TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz evokes some of the distinctive design elements in the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz SLR 722.
The titanium-carbide black tachymeter bezel was inspired by the painted black carbon front spoiler and palladium-grey wheel rims while red painted hands reflect the red-painted brake calipers. Like the SLR 722, the timepiece represents power, precision and streamlined elegance.
The TAG Heuer for Mercedes-Benz will be offered as a limited edition of 3,500 pieces. It is available on a rubber strap that mirrors the SLR side grill or a stainless steel bracelet.
Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph Calibre 16 Day-Date
Bigger and bolder with added functions, the newest Aquaracer is inspired by the precision-driven requirements of deep-sea diving. This sophisticated, masculine timepiece sports the Aquaracer's long-admired dual bezel design and 43 mm case to house its Calibre 16 movement with additional day-date function. It is offered with a black, silver or blue dial on stainless steel bracelet or textured rubber strap.
The Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph Day-Date features the six TAG Heuer sports watch characteristics: unidirectional turning bezel with minutes scale and six studs for best diving-glove grip; double safety clasp; water resistance to 300 meters; screw-in crown; sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment; and luminescent hands and indexes.
The Aquaracer Calibre S
Eagerly anticipated since its debut as a prototype in 2005, The Aquaracer Calibre S has finally arrived as the world's easiest to read chronograph with Regatta countdown and multi-functions. The Calibre S is the first breakthrough in quartz-powered chronograph movements since they were invented in the early 1980s. Designed for competitive boat racing and yachting, and inspired by a sports car tachymeter, TAG Heuer's exclusive and patented Calibre S movement incorporates two semi-circular sub-dials with bi-directional hands, which complement readings on the three main (hour/minute/second) hands.
Unlike traditional chronographs, which feature small counters that are complicated and difficult to read, the TAG Heuer Calibre S movement platform offers a more intuitive way to read the display than trying to decipher the position of tiny needles on three tiny sub-dials. The three central hands are always used to display either the elapsed hours/minutes/seconds in the Chronograph mode, the hours/minutes/seconds in the Time mode, or the remaining minutes/seconds in the Regatta countdown mode.
For additional functionality, the right semi-circular counter measures and displays 1/10th of a second in Chronograph mode. In the Time mode, the counters display the date. By simply pressing the crown, wearers can easily switch from standard Time mode to Chronograph mode or to Regatta countdown mode, with the active mode indicated by the small hand of the left semi-circular sub-dial. Each time a new mode is chosen, the three central hands are automatically set to the appropriate starting position. The 41mm dial is available in blue or anthracite.