Heuer Collectors Summit May 18 - 20, 2008 Neuchatel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland TAG-Heuer is pleased to invite collectors of Heuer watches to its first Heuer Collectors Summit, to be held in Neuchatel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, May 18 through May 20, 2008. Highlights of the trip will include a visit to the new TAG Heuer 360 Museum, visits to the TAG-Heuer factory and service departments, training in watchmaking, dinner with Jack Heuer and a meeting with TAG-Heuer CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin. Of course, the real highlight of the trip will be spending time with other Heuer collectors, many of whom have been in contact on a daily basis, for several years, but only by e-mail, discussion forums or phone calls. Now, we will have the opportunity to meet in person! The Summit is being organized by TAG-Heuer, with the assistance of vintage Heuer collectors, Ron Henselmans (NL) and Jeff Stein (US). This page will be updated from time to time, with additional information, as plans for the Summit continue to develop.   Jeff Stein, Last Updated: March 13, 2008. Program Highlights Welcome by TAG-Heuer CEO, Jean Christophe Babin Jean-Christophe Babin has a special interest in the vintage Heuer timepieces, and the passionate enthusiasts who collect them, so it is fitting that Jean-Christophe will provide the "kick-off" for the Summit. Museum Visit with Jean-Jacques Racine; review of Timepieces from the Archives TAG-Heuer opened its amazing 360 Museum, in January 2008, and the reviews have been spectacular. Our Group will tour the Museum with retired Heuer horologer, Jean-Jacques Racine. In addition to the timepieces on display in the Museum, curator Mathilde Tournois will show numerous timepieces from TAG-Heuer's private archives. Have a look here for information about the Museum. Headquarters and After-Sales Care Department Our Group will visit TAG-Heuer's world headquarters, including its After-Sales Care Department. After-Sales Care is responsible for watch repair for the Swiss market, as well as worldwide service for Heuer's vintage watches. Watchmaking Training Our group will participate in TAG-Heuer watchmaker training -- part of the training program that TAG-Heuer provides for its key retailers, throughout the world. The highight of the training will be learning to assemble a Monaco chronograph. TAG-Heuer Product Innovation TAG-Heuer product managers will provide information about TAG-Heuer's new products, and we will learn about TAG-Heuers strategy for innovation. This is a special opportunity for a sneak-preview of TAG-Heuer timepieces not yet on the market. Treasure Hunt in Neuchatel You will be able to browse shops for vintage watches, visit the very best chocolate shop in Neuchatel, or spend some quiet time by beautiful Lake Neuchatel. A treasure hunt will lead one lucky Summit participant to a great prize! Cocktails and Dinner with Jack Heuer Jack Heuer will host a private cocktail reception and dinner for our group, with opportunities for interviews, photographs and "questions and answers" about every aspect of Heuer's history. This will be your chance to ask Jack Heuer that interesting question, that you have always wondered about. Hotel / Meals Headquarters for the Heuer Collectors Summit will be the spectacular Hotel Palafitte, in Neuchatel, Switzerland. This five-star hotel, known for its unique pavillions on Lake Neuchatel, will create the perfect atmosphere for our Group, with nice areas to socialize and get to know each other. Views of Hotel Palafitte, including the Pavillions on the Lake All meals will be included in the Summit package, and we will have private rooms for certain meals, so that members of our collecting community will be able to meet and spend time with our "internet friends". There will also be ample time for members of the group to spend time together, informally, to meet-and-greet and enjoy some food and beverages (and watches) together. The atmosphere will be informal, with opportunities for members of our group to plan their own side trips and excursions, as they may desire. Take Home Some Special Items Our friends at TAG-Heuer certainly want participants to remember the very first Heuer Collectors Summit, so they will send us home with some very special items, likely to include a Heuer travel bag, historical photos and your photo with Jack Heuer. Procedures and Logistics Limited Spaces TAG-Heuer is committed to making this a top-quality event, and has limited the Summit to 20 participants. First priority will be offered to members of the OnTheDash / Chronocentric communities. Afterwards, invitations will be extended more broadly. Sign-Up In order to sign up for the Summit, you must send your Registration Form to Ron Henselmans -- hense195@planet.nl -- with a copy to Fabienne Chalchat (at TAG-Heuer) -- fabienne.chalchat@tagheuer.com. Ron and Fabienne can answer any of your questions relating to the Summit or this Registration Form. Flight Information The Geneva and Zurich airports are convenient to Neuchatel, and will be the locations for pick-up (Gold Package, described below). In order to participate in the entire program, participants will want to arrive in Geneva or Zurich by mid-day, on Sunday, May 18, 2008. Plan to depart either Tuesday evening, May 20, 2008, or Wednesday morning, May 21, 2008 (third night at hotel not included in the package). Hotel Reservations Summit Packages (described below) include two nights at the Hotel Palafitte, Sunday and Monday. You can arrange for extra nights, if you plan to depart Wednesday or if you wish to extend your visit. Cost of the Summit The cost for attending the Summit, from Sunday afternoon, through Tuesday evening, will be approx. EUR 1070 ($1,630 USD), with double occupancy for the hotel (for the "Bronze Package"). Upgrade to the Silver Package (approx. EUR 1,230 euro / $1,870), if you would like a private hotel room. The upgrade to the Gold Package (approx. EUR 1,990 / $3,010) will include a private hotel room, as well as chauffered transfers to and from the airport and the hotel. These prices are all-inclusive of hotel and all meals, with transportation to and from Summit events. Extensions If there is sufficient interest from members of our Group, our friends at TAG-Heuer will make arrangements for an extension of our visit, with activities, Wednesday, May 21. Activities could include wine tasting or touring in the Watch Valley, a day in Geneva, or outdooor activities appropriate for this beautiful season in Switzerland. Deadline for Enrollment / Payment The Heuer Collectors Summit will be limited to 20 participants, with enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to secure guarantee your reservation for the Summit, you must confirm your commitment by March 31st by returning the Registration Form. You will be contacted the following week to arrange for pre-payment of your selected package. Additional Information For additional information about this visit, you may contact: Ron Henselmans:telephone / fax 31-413-255-406 or e-mail hense195@planet.nl Jeff Stein:telephone 1-678-637-3193 or e-mail onthedash@bellsouth.net. We are looking forward to a fantastic visit to Neuchatel and La Chaux-De-Fonds, and we would welcome your comments or suggestions.