The TAG Heuer 2000 series is being re-released as the new Aquaracer series with an interesting new addition: the Calibre S. The Calibre S is probably a little too sailing-specific for me to justify actually purchasing, but I can definitely appreciate what TAG has done with the Calibre S.

The most striking feature of the Aquaracer Calibre S is the sub-dials. Rather than placing them at the traditional 3, 6, 9 or 2, 6, 10 positions, the Calibre S actually uses semi-circular sub-dials. at the 5 and 7 o'clock positions, inspired by sports cars' tachometers. Since the sub-dials are not circular, as you might have guessed by now, the Calibre S uses bi-directional motors to position the tiny hands (or should I call the needles?). The point isn't just to be different, but to create a much more readable and intuitive interface. Chronograph sub-dials. are not particularly easy to read, especially to the untrained eye, so the Calibre S takes a completely new approach by using the main three hands to display time, elapsed time in chronograph mode, and time remaining in countdown mode, the theory being that the three main hands are by far the easiest to read (as opposed to tiny hands on sub-dials.). The right sub-dial shows tenths of a second in chronograph mode (when time is stopped), and in time mode, both sub-dials. work together to indicate the date. In any other mode, the left sub-dial indicates which mode you are in.

TAG Heuer calls the Aquaracer Calibre S the easiest to read chronograph in the world. I really like the idea of using the three main hands for timing functionality since they are what we are most trained to recognize and read at a glance. Nicely done, TAG.

The most sailing-specific feature on the watch is the regatta countdown timer. A regatta is a fancy word for a boat race, and apparently most sail boat races allow 10 minutes for the boats to maneuver into the optimal starting position. When the 10 minutes are up, the race begins. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S has a regatta countdown timer which automatically starts counting down from 10 minutes, can be re-synchronized at 5 minutes (apparently there's a 5-minute warning), and when the full 10 minutes have elapsed, the mode automatically switches to chronograph so that you can time the race. Very slick, in an aristocratic, sailboat-racing kind of way.

While getting caught up on email this weekend, I came across a note from TAG Heuer about the Calibre 360 concept watch that was introduced at Basel this year. First, TAG Heuer introduced the Microtimer, the first wristwatch accurate to 1/1000th of a second. Now they are making watch history again by introducing the first mechanical wristwatch capable of measuring and displaying 1/100th of a second. It doesn't look half bad, either, in my opinion. From TAG's Basel 2005 news page:

TAG Heuer ... is presenting at Baselworld 2005 the most accurate mechanical timepiece ever crafted, the “Calibre 360” Concept Chronograph. The “Calibre 360” Concept Chronograph is the first mechanical wrist chronograph to measure and display time to 1/100th of a second, thanks to the exceptionally high frequency of its balance wheel, which oscillates at 360,000 beats per hour, 10 times faster than any other chronograph—a rate that until now was considered impossible.

In the slide show accompanying the article, I believe I spied a sapphire caseback, too. It's a silly thing, but for some reason, I'm a sucker for those exhibition backs. Well done, TAG.

TAG Heuer, along with golf genius Tiger Woods, announced a new professional golf watch yesterday. I'm not a golfer myself, but apparently the conventional wisdom has always been that you remove your watch when playing a serious match because it can interfere with your swing in several different ways. TAG Heuer and Tiger Woods set out to change all that by creating a professional golf watch that works with golfers rather than against them.

Features of the TAG Heuer golf watch

• Lightweight titanium construction. When a watch has to be lightweight and strong, titanium is the only way to go. Apparently the TAG Heuer professional golf watch is 60% lighter than TAG's other steel watches.
• Integrated clasp design. The clasp is actually integrated into the case of the watch to keep it out of the way. To release the strap, press the two safety release buttons at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions.
• Inverted crown position. The crown of the TAG Heuer golf watch is at the 9 o'clock position rather than the traditional 3 o'clock position to keep it from digging into the golfer's wrist or snagging on his glove. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing non-sports watches designed that way.
• Silicon, slide-proof strap. It's lightweight and very flexible, shock absorbent, and can expand and contract with the golfer's wrist as necessary.
• Shock resistant. Over time, many watches can be damaged by the repetitive shock of a good, solid golf swing, but not the TAG Heuer professional golf watch. Apparently, the watch can absorb 45 times the shock generated by a typical golf swing.
• Quartz movement. Automatic watches can be damaged by the rotor revolving too violently during movements like tennis or golf swings, so TAG Heuer wisely went with quartz for the professional golf watch.
• Tiger Wood's logo on the dial and signature on the caseback. I don't know how much that will actually help your game, but it's a nice touch.
• Luminous hands and hour markers.

In 1966, Heuer (before it was TAG Heuer) patented the first miniaturized electronic timekeeping instrument accurate to 1/1000th of a second. Now, 38 years later, TAG Heuer releases the first wristwatch capable of the same level of precision: the Microtimer.

Features of the Microtimer

• F1 racing timer. Measurements precise to 1/1000th of a second.
  • Time each lap individually, and quickly recover the fastest lap in Best Lap mode. (Maximum lap time of 59 minutes, 59 seconds, and 999 thousandths of a second.)
  • Lap indicator. While in F1 racing mode, the watch displays the number of the current lap. (Maximum of 80 laps.)
  • Total race time. In addition to the time of the current lap, watch the total time of the race.
• Alarm (sounds for 60 seconds).
• Chronograph (stopwatch) with split times. (Measures to 1/1000th of a second, maximum time of 99 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds, and 999 thousandths of a second.)
• Date.
• Dual time zone display.
• Quartz movement.
• Water-resistant to 100 meters (10 ATM, 10 BAR, or 330 feet).
• Scratch-proof, anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
• Water-resistant, vulcanized, anti-UV treated rubber strap.
• Backlight (illuminates for six seconds).
• Low battery indicator (battery life between 2 and 3 years, depending on use).
• "Screen saver." Turns the watch display off when not in use.