Dream machine
The SLR Chronograph by TAG Heuer, like the high-performance, 200-mph, ultra-luxury sports car that inspired
it, is an audacious creation - at the avant-garde of high technology and design, yet with the look and feel of a
true classic.
The two logos - the TAG Heuer shield and the Mercedes three-pointed star - grace the black dial, which looks
like a sports car's instrument panel. The two SLR "gill" patterns stamped at 3 o'clock pay homage to the car's
signature fender openings, an echo of the 1950s Mercedes SLR's. Another unique touch is the off-centered date
counter at 7:30. Under the hood lies the peerless Calibre 36 automatic movement. Like the Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren's hand-built, supercharged 626-hp V8 engine, this is an exceptional source of power. The only 1/10 of a
second automatic chronograph, beating at 36.000 alternances, it is the standard-bearer of TAG Heuer's
watchmaking tradition. Yet it also represents an exciting new innovation, unique to the SLR Chronograph:
the Calibre 36 has been specially outfitted by TAG Heuer watchmakers with a regulator that provides the TAG
Heuer SLR's dial the look and utility of a sports-car dashboard, with individual gauges for each function - all of
which can be read simultaneously - therefore its name: Calibre 36 Regulator.
For reading the time, the hour hand has been shifted to the counter at 12 o'clock, while the hand at the center of
the dial displays minutes and the counter at 9 o'clock displays seconds. For chronograph functions, the 6 o'clock
counter displays hours, the 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock displays minutes, and seconds sweep by on the central hand.
Another inspiration drawn from the prestigious sports car is the unique placement of the timepiece's
chronograph push buttons on the top of the fine-brushed stainless-steel case. This extraordinary ergonomic innovation
- a first in the world of watchmaking - mirrors the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren's unique steering wheel gearshift. The
polished crown is adorned with the Mercedes-Benz logo, while the caseback is engraved with a limited edition number.
The SLR Chronograph which is water resistant to 50 meters, is 14mm thick, with a diameter of 40mm from 3 to 9
o'clock. Both sides of the sapphire crystal are treated with an anti-reflective coating. The dial is black and the stylish
strap is in crocodile leather, with a folding, push-button buckle. Luminous markers give added visibility to the hands.
Now if you really want to own this 10,000 Euro collectible timepiece, you'd have to shell out approximately
US$400,000 to buy the Mercedes SLR first as it's only for sale to SLR owners. How's that for exclusive!
