TAG Heuer Singapore Celebrates Its Award Winning Monaco Sixty Nine With Exceptional Stars & Style (Press Release)
August 17th, 2006Note: Press Release is as supplied by TAG Heuer
Event Location - National Museum of Singapore.
The much anticipated TAG Heuer reversible concept watch which won the 2004 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve in the Design Category was officially launched in Singapore
TAG Heuer Monaco Sixty Nine Product Display.
Singapore, 14 July 2006 – Together with over 700 invited guests and media personalities on Friday evening, TAG Heuer celebrated the launch of its Monaco 69 timepiece with an edgy style that epitomises the bold concept watch that took the horological world by storm when it was launched at BaselWorld 2003. The newly-restored National Museum of Singapore was converted into a clubber's haven as guests dressed in adherence to the theme of sleek chic, congregated under mood lighting and grooved to smooth beats.
Fashion Show behind a screen.
Mr Jean-Christophe Babin, President and CEO of TAG Heuer worldwide, made a grand entrance together with Hong Kong TAG Heuer ambassador Louis Koo, and local ambassadors, Wong Li Lin, Allan Wu and MediaCorp Artiste, Tay Ping Hui. Arriving dramatically in a fleet of Mercedes-Benz, the guests-of-honour were enthusiastically welcomed by the crowd.
Jean-Christophe Babain, President & CEO of TAG Heuer.
"We are very pleased to launch the Monaco 69 in Singapore," says Mr Jean-Christophe Babin. "Singapore – and the region – is a very important market for TAG Heuer, as the watch connoisseurs are very sophisticated and well-informed of significant milestones in the world of horology. We know that the Monaco 69 will be an important component of any watch-collector's stable of iconic timepieces."
Michelle Saram & Jean-Christophe Babin.
The evening kicked off with a bang at 10pm, as guests watched models showcase the timepiece behind glowing white screens. This created a visual dimension to the product that underpins the technical and somewhat mysterious double dial feature of Monaco 69.
Louis Koo, TAG Heuer Hong Kong Ambassador.
At the stroke of midnight, as guests continued to arrive, Singapore's TAG Heuer ambassadors, Wong Li Lin, Allan Wu and MediaCorp Artiste, Tay Ping Hui presented a special performance to the delighted guests by energetically thumping rhythms from a selection of percussion instruments.
TAG Heuer Singapore Ambassadors having fun at the Percussions.
From Left, Ravi Thakran, Allan Wu, Wong Li Lin, Jean-Christophe Babin, Louis Koo, Tay Ping Hui & Wong Mei Ling.
An exceptional party, brimming with stars, style and sensuality, it was the perfect backdrop against which the Monaco 69 – inspired by the legendary Steve McQueen himself – was perfectly launched.
From Left, Allan Wu, Wong Li Lin, Daniel Goh, Jopa Malantic & David Gan.
The Monaco Sixty Nine – Classical Meets Avant-Garde
The TAG Heuer Monaco Sixty Nine seeks its inspiration from the original Monaco launched in 1969, hence the name Monaco Sixty Nine. The original Monaco made its debut as the world's first automatic chronograph. Since the launch in 2003 as a concept watch, the Monaco Sixty Nine was awarded the winner of the 2004 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve in the Design Category.
Su Lian Widjaya.
The Monaco Sixty Nine is TAG Heuer's first reversible mechanical/digital watch. An innovative timepiece that brings together traditional and cutting-edge in a way never seen before; it is the first Swiss wrist worn mechanical watch combined with 1/1000th of a second digital chronograph.
From left, Nadya Hutagalung & Audrey Tay.
Priced at S$9,200, the TAG Heuer Monaco Sixty Nine is now available at all authorised dealers.
From left, Daniel Goh & David Gan.
TAG Heuer, the reference in prestigious sports watches and chronographs since 1860, is now the fourth luxury brand in the world watch market. The Swiss watchmaking legend draws from its active engagement in the world of sports to create the most accurate measuring instruments and sports watches in the world. From the Olympic Games in the 1920s to its new role as official timekeeper and chronograph for the legendary Indy 500, TAG Heuer, in a constant quest for innovation, excellence, performance and prestige, continues to aim ever higher, as reflected in its partnerships with Team McLaren Mercedes in Formula 1 racing, world vice-champion in 2005 with its two drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raïkkönen; and with world number 1 golfer Tiger Woods. With tennis player Maria Sharapova and Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Uma Thurman, TAG Heuer more than ever stands for sport and glamour.
From left, Benjamin Tan & Maia Lee.
The Monaco Sixty Nine:
An Avant-Garde Concept becomes a Reality
From left, Candice Ng & Dawn Yang.
For the first time ever, a mechanical watch combined with a 1/1000th of a second chronograph.
Hossan Leong.
A daring tradition at the cutting-edge of Swiss watchmaking
Since 1860, TAG Heuer has built an unrivalled reputation as the world's most audacious and avant-garde watchmaker.
From left, Keagan Kang & Soffia Morais.
Year after year, just as car manufacturers unveil new concept cars that challenge the conventions of the automobile industry, TAG Heuer launches concept watches that not only challenge the most time-honored conventions of Swiss timekeeping technology and design; they also push watchmaking innovation further forward.
Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Lim.
Every new concept watch presents serious challenges to TAG Heuer's team of watchmakers and engineers, especially when it is time to move from prototype to full assembly-line production. The advanced techniques and cutting-edge design are often beyond the grasp of existing production technology.
From left, Yee I Ling & Yee Su Ling.
The daunting task of bringing these avant-garde watches to market sometimes looks impossible. Yet, year after year, TAG Heuer achieves its objective: to take a bold idea and make it work commercially; to turn innovative concepts into cutting-edge reality.
From left, Steven Lam, Lum May Yee, Clarence Lee & Wong Mei Ling.
At Basel 2003, TAG Heuer introduced the Monaco Sixty Nine Concept Watch, a reversible timepiece integrating two totally different watch faces and movements within one case: on one side, the classic Monaco dial with its hand-wound mechanical movement; on the other, the Microtimer digital chronograph dial with its ultra-modern, 1/1,000th-of-a-second-accurate quartz movement. Once again, its technical requirements seemed too avant-garde for existing technology. With its recognition clearly evident, the Monaco Sixty Nine was pronounced winner of the 2004 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve in the Design Category.
From left, Stanley Tan & Tina Tan-Leo.
The Monaco Sixty Nine: two bold visions of avant-garde design and engineering in one inimitable TAG Heuer timepiece
In 1969, TAG Heuer launched the mythical Monaco, the world's first automatic chronograph with microrotors. Worn by Steve McQueen, the original Monaco's big, squared-off case signaled a whole new watchmaking aesthetics, and became one of the brand’s most iconic and bestselling models.
From left, Andrea Teo, Calvin Cheng, Denise Mada & Jessica Hunter.
In July 2006, TAG Heuer will launch the Monaco Sixty Nine worldwide. The brand's first reversible, mechanical/digital watch is a daring timepiece that brings together traditional and cutting-edge in a way never seen before. On one side, the iconic, uncompromising face of Steve McQueen's favorite watch, the classic, square-cased Monaco from 1969. On the other side, the distinctive, high-tech digital face of the Microtimer, the first prestigious Swiss wrist-worn chronograph accurate to 1/1000th of a second. Two TAG Heuer watches - one for unmatchable precision, the other for telling local time with unmatchable, Steve McQueen-vintage flair - in one extraordinary wristwatch.
From left, Dr. Kenny Chan, Doris Chan, Chloe Chan & David Hope.
Mechanical & Digital Precision: A Perfect Match
The tests that the Monaco Sixty Nine presented for TAG Heuer's designers and engineers were manifold: how to deal with the problem of friction on the reversible system; how to house two separate movement technologies and minimize the thickness of the case; and how, given these formidable constraints, to bring the watch to assembly-line production.
The Singapore TAG Heuer Team, from left, Ivan Yeo, Winnie Ling, Wong Mei Ling, Fiona Ho, Alvin Soon & Wilson Poon.
As always, the team approached the problem by audaciously rethinking tradition. All TAG Heuer creations are the product of the brand's 147-year passion for invention and reinvention, for thinking outside the box, for relentlessly pursuing new ways to approach perfection.
TAG Heuer Monaco Sixty Nine.
The superlative design quality of the Monaco Sixty Nine is first visible on the case, with its four pushbuttons spread around its circumference. On the classic Monaco side, the black shade of the classic alligator-leather strap and the black, two-level dial with sunray effect is discreetly matched by the fine-brushed and polished steel case and the silvered folding buckle with safety push buttons. The small seconds register at 6 o'clock and the 13 hand-applied indexes are entirely in tune with the harmoniously understated overall effect.
TAG Heuer Monaco Sixty Nine.
This subtle equilibrium contrasts with the high-tech side of the case, with its multi-mode (main time and date, alarm, F1 event timing, Best Lap, stand-by and standard chronograph) digital display dial and 1/1000th of a second chronograph function.
TAG Heuer Monaco Sixty Nine.
Reversibility is achieved through two rotating arms on the watch's horns.
The crystals on both sides (anti-reflective coated on the digital side) are sapphire; water resistance is guaranteed to 5 ATM.
The Monaco Sixty Nine: A watch for men of driving ambition
The Monaco Sixty Nine embodies the bold characteristics of a new charismatic icon. Presented in a beautiful wooden case, this prestigious and highly singular object will delight watch collectors, racing-lore devotees and fans of the original TAG Heuer Monaco embodied by Steve McQueen who is more than ever considered at the top of the fashion of today.
TAG Heuer President & CEO Jean-Christophe Babin.
TAG Heuer, the reference in prestigious sports watches and chronographs since 1860, is now the fourth luxury brand in the world watch market. The Swiss watchmaking legend draws from its active engagement in the world of sports to create the most accurate measuring instruments and sports watches in the world. From the Olympic Games in the 1920s to its new role as official timekeeper and chronograph for the legendary Indy 500, TAG Heuer, in a constant quest for innovation, excellence, performance and prestige, continues to aim ever higher, as reflected in its partnerships with Team McLaren Mercedes in Formula 1 racing, world vice-champion in 2005 with its two drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raïkkönen; and with world number 1 golfer Tiger Woods. With tennis player Maria Sharapova and Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Uma Thurman, TAG Heuer more than ever stands for sport and glamour.