by Veronica Shine

Created on: February 21, 2011   Last Updated: February 23, 2011

One watch that just keeps gaining popularity among sports enthusiasts is an authentic TAG Heuer. This world-famous corporation beginnings started with watches but has since expanded into other markets, such as designer sunglasses and designer cell phones. However, their wide variety of watches are known as distinctive and desirable.

History

Heuer Watch Company has been around since 1860.  Although it started as a small, relatively unknown factory, originated by Edouard Heuer of Switzerland, the watches soon became recognized for their high level of accuracy. Their workmanship easily outdid any other kind of watch or watchmaker at that time.  Perfect for the timing of sporting events, Heuer soon found his niche. 

Heuer was instrumental in the invention of a stopwatch with amazing accuracy, within 1/100th of a second back in 1916. It was named the Micrograph and is still being used currently in numerous and major sporting events.

Sporting events reign

By 1950, the Heuer Company developed its infamous Seafarer, a wristwatch that soon became popular with the yachting set.  It contains chronographic functions and tide indicators and is just the thing no boater would be seen without.

Even more sporting events made Heuer watches increase its sales in 1971 through their extensive marketing advertising campaigns.  Being named the Official Timekeeper for the Formula One racing event certainly helped gain world-wide recognition.

The same year, Heuer merged with the aviation company, the TAG Group. The famous Heuer watch´s name and logo were changed to the TAG Heuer as known today.  

New models introduced

Reflecting its former legacy, the TAG Heuer brand maintains to have ties to the world of sports.  The TAG Heuer offers official timing services for the Olympic Games.  They also have a partnership with the Automobile Club de Monaco.

Several models of the watches are related to specific sporting and boating events appropriately named, Formula One, Aquaracer, Link, and the latest watch pertaining to their newly acquired partnership, the Monaco V4 – Next Generation.
 
Celebrity favorites

Many celebrities are devotees of authentic TAG Heuer watches. The famous film legend and race car driver, the late Steve McQueen wore a TAG Heuer Monaco during his film, "Le Mans" and even afterwards. The watch was designed to match Steve Mc Queen´s racing suit and it quickly became a legend.

Tiger Woods was a long time marketing spokesman for the TAG Heuer during the US Open games and other major golf tournaments.

For six years, Brad Pitt was named as the "Ambassadors to the TAG Heuer Carrera" watch. More recently, Leonardo DiCaprio has been assigned that honor. The widely well-liked for the sports minded TAG Heuer Carrera is even worn by U.S President Barack Obama.

However, the buyer need not be a sports fan. An authentic TAG Heuer is considered a very trendy, yet casual and admired status symbol for men and women with refined taste.

 

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