TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500m Calibre 5 (WAK2122BB0835)

TAG Heuer - Sport, source of inspiration

JEAN CAMPICHE

"TO WITHIN A THOUSANDTH OF A SECOND"

In Europe, a procession of twenty-six 30-ton trucks takes to the road with around a hundred containers carrying the equipment needed... We have come a long way from the English horse races that Heuer used to time in 1876. Yet the approach is fundamentally the same: that of providing the greatest precision combined with total reliability, thanks both to the state-of-the-art material and to devoted individuals... such as Jean Campiche.
An electronic engineer and a speed freak, he was a professional motorcycle racer competitor for six years. "Only in summer", he points out. "In winter, I worked like mad to pay for my season, since I had no sponsor." Until 1973, when Jack Heuer suggested that he move "to the other side of the track", in other words stand next to it with a chronograph in hand."I was 28 years old and this proposal combined my two passions, speed and electronics." Especially since Jack Heuer's decision to hire him was at the request of Enzo Ferrari, who wanted to get independent timing measurements on his private Fiorano circuit in order to facilitate the improvement of his cars. The circuit was equipped by Heuer with 45 photocells enabling measurement of all times, especially acceleration and braking times. Moreover, in endurance races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours, official timekeeping was not very reliable and above all not very fast, since split times were transmitted in writing several minutes after the action.
Each racing team had to have its own timekeeper. "It was vital not to make mistakes, despite the number of cars, because if one forgot one lap, the driver might run out of petrol", recalls Jean Campiche. Having realized that Ferrari was better organized than circuit officials, other racing teams soon became equipped with Heuer systems: Brabham, William, McLaren...

INDEPENDENT UNIT

Right from the outset, Jean Campiche headed an independent "Timing System" unit which had to be selfsufficient; it was thus vital to sell timekeeping devices in order to survive and not simply to go and time races for free. "We were also very present in the ski world, especially since we needed consistently more accurate devices to measure performances", recalls Jean Campiche.
Then in 1975 came the creation of Swiss Timing with two other Swiss brands, in order to compete against Japanese brand in timing the Olympic Games. "We shared out the disciplines between us and we thus took part in Innsbruck in 1976 and in Lake Placid and Moscow in 1980. We have maintained an active presence in the Alpine Skiing world with the timekeeping of the World Cup."

"TAG Heuer Challenge" during the America's Cup in 1995.

Start clock.

A PARTNER TO SAILING AND OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER FOR FORMULA 1 MOTOR-RACING AND ALPINE SKIING WORLD CUP

As partners to the most gifted sailing crews of their generation, TAG Heuer has taken part in the most legendary of all regatta competitions: The America's Cup. First as official chronograph of "Intrepid", winner in 1967, and subsequently as a direct partner to Chris Dickson in 1995 aboard the splendid "TAG Heuer Challenge". With the American BMW-Oracle Racing challenge, the adventure naturally continued in the 2002/2003 Louis Vuitton Cup, the qualifying competition for the America's Cup, which was held in the Hauraki Gulf just off Auckland, New Zealand, where TAG Heuer raced in the final.
Alongside Chris Dickson and Peter Holmberg, TAG Heuer worked for more than a year with them on developing measurement instruments suited to the constraints of sailing, and in particular the model now available in a limited edition: Link Searacer Oracle.
Equipped with an exclusive regatta movement, this chronograph helps crew members at a crucial point of the race by marking the 10, 6 and 5 minutes of the countdown and features an exclusive function designed by TAG Heuer to enable them to program the timer 1 minute prior to the race start so as to be ready when the signal is given. In parallel with sailing, TAG Heuer was chosen in 1989 to serve as official timekeeper for skiing in the United States and in Canada, and then in World Cup competitions in Europe. In 1999, it played this role in the World Championships in Vail, in St. Anton in 2001 and in St. Moritz in 2003.At the same time TAG Heuer launched into Formula 1 motor-racing, becoming the official timekeeper for Grand Prix races since 1992, a contract which still goes on today. "We were among the first to devise mobile electronic timing devices", recalls Jack Heuer. "These were either small units that we lent to ski clubs, or more imposing sets of instruments for motor-racing circuits." A specialty that has been consistently developed and perfected by Jean Campiche.

Peter Holmberg,TAG Heuer ambassador and Oracle BMW Racing's helmsman during the Louis Vuitton Cup 2002-2003

Link Searacer Oracle.

However, Jean Campiche's main interest lies in Formula 1. "We are in the process of devising new graphic displays on giant screens so that spectators and viewers are totally immersed in the race. These days, live timekeeping is more important than commentary, to the point where the number of viewers of Formula 1 increased ten-fold between 1990 and 2000, since we have been capable of measuring race performances non-stop and live."
The current timing devices developed by TAG Heuer enable measurement to within 1/100,000th of a second. As Jean Campiche points out, "These devices guarantee total reliability when they are used to measure 1/1000th of second".

Saint-Moritz 2003.

That is how the F1 timekeeping has become "the most precise in the world", since timekeeping systems are directly linked to a network of atomic clocks working to within one billionth of a second. The infrastructure required for timing a F1 Grand Prix is impressive: 20 specialists and technicians handle 38 kilometers of cables and optic fiber guiding the transponders on each car as well as 400 monitoring stations spread around the circuit.
Everything is constantly measured, from car movements before the starting signal, to the length of pit stops, as well as tire change times... The system can also be used to transmit information to the drivers, since luminous diodes which light up on the dashboard are more effective than the traditional flags waved by track officials.
All these data are automatically processed by computers and transmitted both to the teams' monitoring screens and to television viewers around the world. Jean Campiche notes with pride that, thanks to this technology developed by TAG Heuer, each F1 Grand Prix has been transformed into a global performance that is universally understood, since the F1 is seen live by an average of 350 million viewers in 150 countries.

F1 Micrograph, sold exclusively during the Formula 1 Grands Prix in 2002.

FROM TIMEKEEPING TO WATCHMAKING INNOVATION

This race for avant-garde technologies is also reflected in watches: those worn by champions, who have always been connoisseurs and collectors of watch models, and who often wear TAG Heuer models. Devotees will even go so far as to buy the "open sesame" that gives access to the Paddock Clubs in order to treat themselves to the famous F1 Micrograph. A genuine wrist-worn timekeeping instrument to the nearest 1/100th of a second, this exclusive watch was available exclusively in 2002 on the F1 Grand Prix circuits and is the symbol of belonging to the very select circle of authentic initiates of this sport.

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BERNIE ECCLESTONE
PReSIDENT OF THE FOM (FORMULA ONE MANAGEMENT)

Jean-Christophe Babin, President and CEO of TAG Heuer, together with Bernie Ecclestone, President of the Formula One Management.

My first contact with TAG Heuer was when Heuer was the official timekeeper for the Ferrari team. I remember Jean Campiche even back then.
As F1 has grown, so has TAG Heuer; as F1 was presented with technical challenges, so TAG Heuer met them every time.
Back in the 70s there was a b relationship with Ferrari but now, 30 years later, television has changed the F1 events into worldwide coverage. The essence of F1 is the time measured and everything depends on this timekeeping. Timekeeping and television have brought people all over the world to Formula 1 racing.
TAG Heuer and F1 are inseparable, part of the same family. TAG Heuer needs F1 and F1 needs TAG Heuer. Television viewers all around the world are able to follow all the exciting moments of F1 races thanks to TAG Heuer's precise timing and projection second by second and lap by lap of all the timing information on every TV screen.
TAG Heuer stands apart from other brands because of its continued involvement with sports. People who are interested in sports recognize the values of TAG Heuer.
Conversely, someone who wears a TAG Heuer wants to be recognized as being involved in sports. The 2003 Championship will rely more than ever on new technologies. TAG Heuer will meet the challenge and be present in March to offer the utmost in new timing technology.
The TAG Heuer boutique, within the Paddock Clubs is a unique concept that we inaugurated in April 2002 with Jean-Christophe Babin at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola.
There are certain common values between F1 and TAG Heuer such as finest quality, top technology and perfection.
Today I'm wearing a Kirium Ti5 which I found in the TAG Heuer boutique during a Grand Prix. 

Imola Grand Prix 2002.
Spanish Grand Prix 2002.

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RON DENNIS

CEO and Chairman McLaren International limitedCEO and Chairman McLaren International Limited When was your first contact with TAG Heuer?
My first contact with the TAG Heuer brand was in 1985 when the TAG Group acquired the Heuer company and became a major shareholder in McLaren International. Thanks to TAG Heuer's participation in McLaren's activities, I became a shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors of TAG Heuer, until the company was transferred to the LVMH in 1999.
What do those years remind you of?
An incredibly successful period in the McLaren team's history. In the mid-late eighties and the early nineties, we secured six Constructors' titles with Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna taking a total of seven Drivers' Championship titles between them.The agreement between TAG Heuer and McLaren is one of the longest partnership agreements in Formula 1; can you explain why?
I am very proud of our partnership with TAG Heuer. 2003 marked the 18th year of our cooperation. Both companies are always striving to be the best in their respective fields and are dedicated to Formula One. Underlying the commercial relationship with TAG Heuer is a b friendship and mutual respect, which has developed over the years. The continuity of support from partners such as TAG Heuer is of substantial value to the team and is critical to maintaining consistency and success in Formula One.
As an example of this partnership: TAG Heuer and McLaren were both involved in the demonstration given by Sarah Fisher, who drove a McLaren F1 car at the opening of the Indianapolis Grand Prix in 2002. This was a great event which attracted a great deal of media coverage. It is always pleasing when one of the West-McLaren Mercedes partners uses their relationship with the team as a communication channel, as it demonstrates how a close partnership of this nature can be of mutual benefit to both parties.The values shared by McLaren and TAG Heuer?
As both TAG Heuer and McLaren operate in competitive environments, always striving to push performance and technology to new levels, the two companies inevitably share similar brand values. If you are looking for a list of adjectives, words such as excellence, attention to detail, and commitment all spring to mind.Why is TAG Heuer different from any other watch company?
In the mid 1980s, there was clearly an increased commitment to involve the brand in prestigious sports. A strategy which has had definite effects on the company. Not only through the high-profile advertising campaigns with major sporting personalities, including McLaren drivers, like Ayrton Senna and most recently David Coulthard, but also through the high performance sports timepieces that have been developed, which in my opinion are the benchmark in this field. Also, in addition to producing high-quality time measurement instruments, TAG Heuer is the Official Formula One Timekeeper, which involves the development and use of the most sophisticated timing technology, and is a vital element of the sport. This activity is used by TAG Heuer as a development and test ground for advanced innovations that are then transferred throughout the company.What does the involvement of TAG Heuer with the West-McLaren Mercedes team represent? What does TAG Heuer bring to McLaren by way of products and timekeeping?
In TAG Heuer's role as Official Formula One Timekeeper, the company's advanced technology is invaluable to the team and drivers. The team headed by Jean Campiche that works in the Timing Center continuously provides a wealth of accurate information, which enables a comprehensive analysis of the performance of the car and driver on each lap. This detailed analysis in turn enables us to improve and develop on that performance.What does the fact that you and the drivers are involved in the development of products and special series actually entail?
On a number of occasions McLaren has played a role with TAG Heuer in the development of technology and the use of materials unique in watchmaking, which have been incorporated into a number of timepieces. For example, carbon fiber dials and titanium casings, which are both utilised in the Kirium series. Also, there have been some limited edition models with McLaren's involvement, most recently the Kirium Ti5 McLaren Chronograph. Another prime example was earlier this year when David Coulthard participated in a test programme for the new F1 Micrograph, which knowing his interest in watches he will have enjoyed immensely. This activity is yet another demonstration of the level of the relationship between the two companies.Which TAG Heuer watch are you wearing and why?
I am wearing the Kirium F1, because it is an elegant, modern and technologically avant-garde chronograph.

Tribune des Arts - Numero special TAG Heuer - avril 2003