Latest news with #TagHeuer
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Former Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver on starting his eponymous luxury watch brand JC Biver, taking aesthetic pointers from the younger generation, and adding a personal touch to horology
'I have no pressure,' says Jean-Claude Biver , 'except the pressure of time [and] the need to be successful. That's already a lot of pressure, but it's a positive pressure.' It is hard to imagine that many pressures – including the pressure to succeed – remain for someone like Biver, who almost requires no introduction. In a career spanning half a century, Biver is known for deftly resuscitating several brands you may have heard of. In the wake of the quartz crisis, he bought and revitalised dive-watch icon Blancpain before selling it to Swatch Group. After joining the conglomerate, he connected James Bond with Omega to create one of the most enduring modern collaborations in horology. More recently, Biver modernised LVMH brands Hublot and Tag Heuer into two of the most visible brands in the sports of football and Formula One respectively, before exiting the industry in 2018. Advertisement Jean-Claude Biver founded his eponymous watch brand JC Biver in 2023. Photo: Handout 'Now, after 50 years in the business,' Biver ponders, 'I told myself I must find a place where my family [can be], where my son can come, where my wife can be, where other people can join. So I want a very small brand with very much individuality, where [each watchmaker] can make the whole watch themself.' Biver is, of course, referring to his eponymous brand, JC Biver, which – when it was announced in 2023 – made waves in the industry. It not only meant that a titan was set to return, but that he would be taking his son, Pierre Biver, with him. By operating the brand together, father and son put themselves in a unique position to learn from each other. Jean-Claude Biver with his son, Pierre Biver. Photo: Handout 'I learned from him to be quick, to be dynamic,' the elder Biver says. 'And he learns from me to think three times, to not be too quick. So it's a nice equilibrium. I also learned from him some aesthetic points. He was the first to get me to reduce the size of the watches. I was a little afraid to reduce [the size] because I got the feeling that [a smaller] watch looks a bit feminine. And he said, 'No, people now will tend to want smaller watches.' So the exchange between the two of us is quite good.' Biver cites discussions he's had with Pierre about the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak models in his collection as an example. 'He took the Royal Oak [from] 1972 and said to me, 'Look, that's the size.' The 1972 Royal Oak looked small to me, yet in 1972 it was considered a big watch. Once you have been used to a large watch, it's difficult to wear a smaller one because the small one seems to look too small. So you have to readapt, but once the eyes have readapted, then it's OK.' The Biver Automatique, in a 39mm case. Photo: Handout
Tatler Asia
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Tatler Asia
Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco: Tag Heuer unveils two new Monaco timepieces
The controversial two-stop rule aside, the race was the perfect setting for Tag Heuer to unveil the new Monaco watches Tag Heuer is almost synonymous with the Monaco Grand Prix, serving as the official watch of the race since 2011 before it finally culminated as the title partner this year. The Formula 1 Tag Heuer Grand Prix de Monaco was thus the best setting to launch not one but two new Monaco timepieces, the iconic square sport watch that propelled Swiss manufacture to the forefront of motorsports. Read more: CEO Antoine Pin on Tag Heuer's return as the Official Timekeeper of Formula 1 The Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph x Gulf features the instantly recognisable Gulf livery, its striking light blue and orange stripes paired with a case of grade-2 titanium, sandblasted for a tactile appearance. The white textile strap is made from fire-resistant Nomex, commonly used for professional racing suits. The fabric is soiurced from the same American manufacturer who made the suits worn by Steve McQueen in the movie, Le Mans . Limited to 971, it also draws from history for the movement—the legendary Calibre 11 with the winding crown on the left side of the watch.
The National
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The National
How Formula One became the ultimate playground for the world's leading watchmakers
The Formula One season so far suggests there is a buzz around the sport this year, with several drivers seriously contending for the championship in what is the competition's 75th anniversary season. American entertainment group Liberty Media, which acquired Formula One Group for $4.6 billion in 2017, set out to modernise the sport and boost fan engagement by expanding the race calendar. Under its ownership, Netflix launched the global hit Drive to Survive; and this June, F1: The Movie, the Brad Pitt-led film about the fictional APX GP racing team (co-produced by Lewis Hamilton), will release on Apple TV+. All of this has raised the sport's global profile and attracted major corporate partners, including LVMH, which reportedly signed a $1 billion, 10-year sponsorship deal in October. The watch world has long been enamoured with F1. Jack Heuer was the first to put a logo on a Formula One car, sponsoring Jo Siffert's Lotus in 1969. By 1971, Heuer had struck a partnership with Ferrari. By then, Heuer's square-case Monaco watch had gained fame after Steve McQueen wore it in the 1971 film Le Mans, adding racing glamour to the brand. In 1986, Techniques d'Avant Garde (Tag) acquired Heuer and went on to sponsor the McLaren team, backing famous drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. As of 2025, Tag Heuer's name is linked to 239 victories, 15 World Drivers' Championships and 11 World Constructors' Championships, most recently with Oracle Red Bull and Max Verstappen. This year, Tag Heuer (now owned by LVMH) returns as Official Timekeeper, a title it last held between 1992 and 2003. To mark the occasion, Tag Heuer released nine Formula One Solargraph models, reflecting the pit lane clock design and available in playful colours at an entry-level price point (about Dh8,000). Two minutes of exposure to light powers each watch for a full day. Meanwhile, Verstappen has been spotted wearing the headline-grabbing Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph/F1 in white ultralight ceramic, featuring an advanced split-seconds movement. It's a major statement for Tag Heuer. 'Today, Formula One stands as a global phenomenon that transcends genders, generations and borders, much like Tag Heuer itself,' noted chief executive Antoine Pin at Geneva's Watches & Wonders in April. He described it as the brand's biggest communication investment to date, adding: 'This renewed partnership presents an extraordinary platform to showcase the maison's expertise in precision timing.' Watches and racing cars inherently share values – precision engineering, cutting-edge technology and avant-garde materials. Engineers at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team and IWC Schaffhausen regularly collaborate, notably this year on the Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff Edition, named after the Mercedes team's media-friendly boss. Designed to withstand the forces of F1 racing, the watch features the patented Spring-g Protect shock absorber system, which protects the movement even under high impacts, akin to the G-forces endured in a crash at 320kph. F1 cars can experience up to 5g at circuits such as Silverstone, but the Big Pilot's ethos is rooted in aviation, where fighter jets endure up to 9g. Meanwhile, Richard Mille occupies a rare position, sponsoring two rival teams – Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren. Charles Leclerc wears the RM 67-02 Italy, while Lewis Hamilton, newly signed to Ferrari, now sports the RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon, after years of wearing IWC at Mercedes. Engineers from Ferrari and Richard Mille, whose partnership began in 2021, recently collaborated on the RM 43-01, launched in March. Featuring an aerodynamic case profile and Ferrari's signature rear-light-inspired pushers, it also boasts a next-generation split-seconds chronograph movement. The titanium version is priced at Dh5 million and the carbon TPT version at nearly Dh6 million, and each is limited to 75 pieces. The relationship between Richard Mille and Ferrari began through brand ambassador Charles Leclerc. 'When we saw the previous partnership with Ferrari had finished, we saw an occasion for a discussion,' says Alexandre Mille, who co-leads the brand with his sister, Amanda, and Maxime Guenat following Richard Mille's retirement. 'Ferrari was super-happy to start.' Ferrari wanted exclusivity, but Richard Mille insisted on maintaining its long-standing partnership with McLaren, which has been in place since 2016. Their fourth collaboration, the 500-piece RM 65-01 McLaren Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph W1, draws design cues from McLaren's most powerful and radical road car to date, the W1. Race-winner Oscar Piastri wore this watch on the podiums in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, while teammate Lando Norris sports the RM 67-02. Elsewhere in the paddock, several other watch brands are making moves. H Moser & Cie and Tudor entered the F1 scene two years ago, partnering with BWT Alpine and Visa Cash App Red Bull (aka Racing Bulls), respectively. Returning for a fourth year is Girard-Perregaux, which partners with Aston Martin Aramco. Though the team has had a chequered history, new investment and energy from owner Lawrence Stroll have spurred momentum. Girard-Perregaux's Laureato Absolute Aston Martin F1 Edition features a 44mm titanium case and the same green livery as the Aston Martin race cars, with design details inspired by the famous DB12. 'It's our first dive into the finely tuned world of Formula One,' says Edouard Meylan, chief executive and co-owner of H Moser & Cie, who chose the flagship Streamliner collection for the partnership with Alpine last year, producing a version of its Cylindrical Tourbillon with a skeletonised main dial at 12 o'clock topped with a small domed dial in blue. 'Since the beginning of this adventure, H Moser & Cie's visibility has accelerated at the speed of a race car. Drive to Survive has thrown the spotlight on F1 in a whole new way, turning the paddocks into a playground for a generation hungry for adrenalin and storytelling,' says Meylan. Playful with colours, a pink version to match Alpine's blue-pink livery was later added at the Miami Grand Prix. This, Meylan points out, 'speaks a language Gen Z understands – boldness, fun and reinterpretation of traditional watchmaking. All elements that speak to the aesthetes of tomorrow.' Driving for Racing Bulls, rookies Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar sport Tudor's Black Bay Ceramic 'Blue' edition, exemplifying the brand's 'Born to Dare' ethos. 'Tudor has always been fuelled by a daring spirit, a consistent will to do things differently,' says the brand's chief executive Eric Pirson, adding he is 'beyond thrilled to return to motorsport with a partner that's ready to take on the challenge'.
Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Times
How will LVMH and its luxury competitors cope with tariffs?
You would think the type of shopper who can afford a Tag Heuer watch or a Hermès Birkin bag, costing tens of thousands of pounds, would largely be immune from macroeconomic turbulence. But their longstanding resilience, including during the pandemic, is now being tested. The $350 billion global luxury market is facing challenges as geopolitical instability and tariffs introduced by President Trump shake investors' confidence and sap consumers' appetite in two of its most crucial regions: China and the United States. Trump has imposed a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports to the US, provoking immediate retaliation from Beijing, which hit back with a 125 per cent tariff on American goods. Although Trump's measures were paused for 90 days, the shock has already rippled
Mail & Guardian
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Servicing luxury watches in SA
Servicing a watch. Owning a luxury watch is about more than telling time; it's an investment in craftsmanship and heritage. Whether it's a Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe or Tag Heuer, luxury timepieces require meticulous care and regular servicing to maintain their performance and value. In South Africa, The importance of regular servicing Luxury watches in South Africa are mechanical marvels, often containing hundreds of tiny components working in harmony. Over time, the natural movement of these parts can cause wear, even in the hardiest of models. South Africa's varied climate, with its dust, humidity and coastal air, can also accelerate the deterioration of lubricants and gaskets. As a rule of thumb, watchmakers recommend servicing a mechanical or automatic watch every three to five years, though some high-performance models may require attention more frequently. Servicing involves complete disassembly of the watch, ultrasonic cleaning, oiling, reassembly, timing adjustments and rigorous quality testing. This maintains the accuracy of the timepiece and prevents costly damage in the long term. Authorised vs independent service centres South Africa boasts a handful of authorised service centres for Rolex, for instance, has official service locations in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where only certified watchmakers handle their timepieces under strict global protocols. However, many experienced independent watchmakers in South Africa also offer top-tier service. These professionals often have decades of expertise, and while they may not always use brand-authorised parts, they provide a personalised and often more affordable alternative. For discontinued models or vintage pieces, independent horologists can be invaluable. Costs and considerations Servicing a luxury watch in South Africa is a significant expense, but a necessary one. Depending on the brand, complexity and required repairs, a full service can cost anywhere from R4 000 to over R20 000. Replacement of parts, water resistance testing and dial refinishing are usually additional costs. For collectors or those with insurance cover, it's wise to keep a service history and request a detailed service receipt for each appointment. It's also essential to factor in turnaround time. Final thoughts Servicing luxury watches in South Africa requires balancing quality, trust and expertise. No matter if you're using an authorised centre or a seasoned independent, owners should view servicing as part of the timepiece's ongoing legacy, preserving precision and beauty for generations to come.
