Audi centennial timepiece celebrates 100 years on four wheels with four hands
Audi teamed up with Munich-based watchmaker Chronoswiss to create the Tachoscope, celebrating 100 years of Audi. The mechanical timepiece has a chronograph and tachometer function (to measure velocity) inspired by the Auto Unions that helped define the Audi adventure: the second hand's numerals are derived from the tach in the Auto Union Type C Grand Prix racer. Also novel is the fact that the hour hand resides in the upper inset dial -- the large hands are the second hand and chronograph. The watch face is enamel and the crown is diagonally fluted like a gear, and the back cover is glass. The Tachoscope comes in two flavors: white gold and platinum. Thankfully, the back cover is glass so you can see where your €14,900 ($19,800 USD) has been spent if you plunked down for white gold, with the platinum edition setting you back €24,900 ($33,000 USD). Only 100 examples will be made, and you can read all about them in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE
Tradition and Innovation: The Audi Centennial Timepiece
* One-of-a-kind automatic wristwatch-chronograph with tachometer
* Masterpiece of mechanical precision
* Watch's dial inspired by Auto Union racing cars
100 years of Audi. A truly special anniversary, commemorated with an exceptional chronograph: the new Audi Centennial Timepiece. It embodies the brand's incomparable values: tradition and innovation, design and precision, sophistication and perfection. A magnum opus of horology, this chronograph boasts a tachometer function as well as a unique design and a patented caliber.
This exclusive chronograph was conceived by Audi Design; our development and production partner is Chronoswiss, the Munich-based watchmaker. Audi and Chronoswiss alike devote themselves to precision and flawless quality. Moreover, both companies boast rich legacies, yet also strive for innovative excellence and pioneering solutions.
The Audi centennial timepiece-the Tachoscope-uniquely combines a regulator dial, a chronograph featuring a stopwatch operated by a single push-button, and a tachometer dial. The exception to the classic regulator principle is the offset configuration of the hour hand and the second hand, as only the minute hand is positioned in the center of the watch dial.
The chronograph hand is also centered on the Tachoscope. This layout ensures excellent readability, regardless of a watch dial's complexity. The Tachoscope's chronograph is complemented by the tachometer dial on the bezel. This dial measures velocity in kilometers or miles per hour.
As unique as the watch's design is its dial, which is made of genuine enamel. Inspired by the instrumentation of the legendary Auto Union racing car, Audi Design created customized, crystal-clear lettering for the watch's face. It is dominated by the second hand's numerals, which are reminiscent of the tachometers in the Type C Grand Prix racing car of the 1930s.
Audi Design created a crown in the shape of a gearwheel; the case exudes elegance and is well-proportioned. In the mechanical movement, the rotor-visible through the glass back cover of the case-features engraving that proclaims the years of Audi's anniversary.
Chronoswiss engineered the technology beneath the face. The interior of the Tachoscope contains the exclusive C. 125 caliber, for which Chronoswiss recently received a European patent (Number 1243984). By means of a complex mechanism, this caliber allows the chronograph to be operated via a single push-button integrated in the winding device's crown.
The limited-edition Audi Centennial Timepiece will be manufactured in platinum (CH A 1520) and white gold (CH A 1521 W). A total of just 100 units will be made: one for each year in Audi's history. Each of the 35 platinum and 65 white-gold wristwatches will be packaged in a wooden jewelry box with a black matte finish; accessories include a watchmaker's loupe and screwdriver. The price for the platinum wristwatches is € 24,900, the wristwatch in white-gold € 14.900. Information on how to order the watches contact Audi quattro GmbH on (+49 (0) 841 89 46 599) or at quattro@audi-shop.de.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash machado 11:06AM (3/28/2009)
Maybe they should have instead launched a Audi A8 100th Anniversary Special Edition. Or maybe an Audi TT version.
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Auari 11:11AM (3/28/2009)
The Audi A8 has been around for 15 years, and the TT only 10 years.... no where close to 100 years buddy
Avinash machado 11:19AM (3/28/2009)
What I meant was instead of celebrating by launching a watch, why not celebrate by making a special edition of one of its cars instead.
superman211 1:45PM (3/28/2009)
Yeah, or an R8 with 1000 HP.
superman211 1:45PM (3/28/2009)
BTW that watch is ROLEX money.
Jsams4131 11:57AM (3/28/2009)
I'd rather have a watch than some reventon shoes though....Love that watch if it were on a metal strap
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rsfourever 12:39PM (3/28/2009)
that price is outrageous. i'm a big audi fan (as my name should make obvious), but i'm also a watch aficionado and chronoswiss is by no means a good partner for audi to be choosing. if they wanted to sell a watch in that price range, they should have chosen someone like jaeger-lecoultre, lange & sohne, or audemars piguet. the entire value of this watch is in the metal used to make it, not in the time/effort put into the movement. chronoswiss has no history, no value as a collector's item, and the brand association provides no upside for Audi.
this is a bad PR move by Audi in my opinion...
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TBlueMax 1:15PM (3/28/2009)
@rsfourever: I would agree that the price is a bit high but far from outrageous for a monopusher chronograph in precious metal by a mid-tier brand.
While I'm a big fan of JLC, they aren't in the same tier as Lange and AP, and any one of these manufactures would price a similarly complicated watch in precious metal and enamel dial at least as high (and in the case of Lange and AP, much higher).
To put things in perspective, Rolex prices their Daytona in white gold on strap and Cartier offers their Pasha chrono in gold on strap for an outrageous sum as well - and produces in much higher volumes than the 100 units planned for this limited edition run.
Regarding your comment on the collectibility and history of Chronoswiss... I would also beg to differ somewhat. True that Chronoswiss does not have the storied history of Patek, AP, VC, Cartier, or a resurgent Lange but they are in the process of creating a legacy all their own and time will tell regarding the collectibility of their offerings. Their total annual production is still smaller than any of the larger manufacturers and their quality and reputation are both solid.
Having said all that, I wouldn't buy this watch. Not because of the price or the fact that it is manufactured by Chronoswiss, I just have absolutely no use for a monopusher chronograph in gold on strap. Would I recommend it to someone who just purchased an A8 or R8 and was looking for a distinctive time piece to wear to the office, probably - would certainly be a better fit for that individual but I wouldn't have any disparaging remarks for Chronoswiss, Audi, or their collaboration in bringing this watch to market.
superman211 2:02PM (3/28/2009)
You could buy two watches or one TTRS which would come with a clock to tell you the time and go 0-60 in 5 sec or less. hmmm... decisions, decisions!
Smegley 1:16PM (3/28/2009)
I got a way way WAY cooler watch at a going out of business sale for $100 after the 85% off. Audi watches = FAIL. Stick to building cars please.
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Nick 3:57PM (3/28/2009)
@Smegley, Audi didn't make this watch, Chronoswiss did.
It's an ugly ass watch, doesn't look modern at all....looks dated.
Look at Porsche watches, now THAT's nice watches.
Harrison 6:34PM (3/28/2009)
Great Watch. Would love to own one some day.
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Everett 12:33PM (3/29/2009)
I'll take my Cartier Roadster in white and yellow gold for $14k over a watch that looks like the plain-jane stopwatch from my Junior High. Where's the Audi-esque flair in this design?
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