February 7, 2008

OK, guys . . . after the last week of travelling and blogging, I will admit that I am just about exhausted / burned out . . . no more blogging; no more HTML, FTP, JPEG's, WAV or MP3's; no more pages or postings. Still, Jean-Christophe's invitation to suggest new models for TAG-Heuer is unique, and I can't resist the urge to share a few thought and images. So I'll keep it quick and simple; most of the images will be familiar; some of the ideas will be familiar . . . so here we go.

I start with the idea that the 2010 TAG-Heuer catalog will likely be in very good shape, even without the introduction of any of our new models. The Grand Carrera line has met with great success, and TAG-Heuer seems to be developing the line fully, with lots of themes and variations; we should have the Monaco V4 by the time the 2010 catalog goes to print; and the Carrera Tachy seems to have become a mainstay over the last few years. So the core of the catalog will be strong. Let's see whether we can add some special pieces, to mark the 150th anniversary of the Heuer brand, with the vintage collectors in mind.

The Rally-Master Pair

TAG-Heuer has a renewed interest in its DNA, and believe me . . . the Rally-Master pair is the core of Heuer's DNA. In 1933, Heuer introduced the Hervue Pair (Hervue 8-day clock and Autavia 12-hour stopwatch). The Rally-Master Pair (Master Time 8-day clock and Monte Carlo 12-hour stopwatch) came in 1958. If you ask Jack Heuer how they positioned the "Heuer" brand in the early 1960's, and specifically how they developed the United States as a market, he will tell you about the rally drivers and their timepieces.

In 2010, TAG-Heuer will introduce the very first Rally-Master watches, as described below.

The Rally-Master pair will be a special, limited edition series comprised of two watches, as follows:

• the Master Time will be a simple three-handed watch, emphasizing legibility and rugged construction. A few years ago, Chronoswiss "borrowed" the look of the Master Time, and switched around the name, when it introduced the "Time Master". The TAG-Heuer Master Time will be true to the look of the original clocks; will be available in the usual 12-hour model, as well as true 24-hour indication; and there will be a limited series of 100 pieces, with the white dials.
• Heuer introduced the Monte Carlo 12-hour stopwatch in 1958, with its unique rotating disc to indicate the elapsed hours. The 2010 version of the Monte Carlo (called the Grand Carrera Monte Carlo) employs the Rotating System (RS) technology, to produce a time-of-day watch that can also be used as a 12-hour stopwatch. The disc counts the hours; the hands show the minutes and seconds.

TAG-Heuer's 2010 Rally Master pair will be offered only as a pair of watches, presented on a unique "back-plate" to hold the watches. For a more traditional look, the enthusiast will select the Master Time; for something more unusual, the Monte Carlo. A further development of the line (premium edition) will be a two-register chronograph, based on the Super Autavia, with either 12 or 24 hour indication.

The Black Titanium Monaco

For the vintage collectors, the Black PVD Monaco (from the mid-1970's) is one of the "grail" watches. When I saw the Grand Carrera Caliber 17 RS2, introduced to the media last week, I visualized it as (a) a square-cased Monaco, with (b) the red accents turned to orange.

Yes, TAG-Heuer came close when it introduced the "Vintage" Monaco, in the Gulf colors. With the introduction of the black titanium Monaco, TAG-Heuer will be offering the ultimate development of its legendary Monaco. March 3, 2009 will mark the 40th Anniversary of the introduction of the Monaco. TAG-Heuer will introduce the Black Titanium Monaco in its 2010 catalog, with a 2011 launch to mark the 40th Anniversary of the release of the movie, Le Mans. Indeed, this would be the chronograph that McQueen would want to wear, in the year 2011.