Ultra-exclusive Chronograph by TAG Heuer and Mercedes-Benz

One of the most exclusive commemorative timepieces in the world has been created to celebrate the launch of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren super sports car. To be eligible to buy the as-yet unpriced TAG Heuer SLR Chronograph, you must OWN a US$400,000 McLaren SLR. Only 3500 McLarens will be made over the seven year production run.

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 allure of a true classic.

The direct result of TAG Heuer's historic relationship with McLaren Mercedes, the SLR Chronograph reflects the values common to both the brand and the team: passion, performance and sporting prestige. Like the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the SLR chronograph combines a unique mechanical movement together with a daring inspiring design.

TAG Heuer and Team McLaren Mercedes: A Successful Partnership

Since 1985, TAG Heuer has had a strong relationship with the Formula 1 team, creating not only one of the longest-running associations between a leading racing team and a luxury company in the history of Formula One, but also one of the most successful: six Constructors' World Championship titles, eight Drivers' titles (three with Alain Prost in 1985, 1986 and 1989, three with Ayrton Senna in 1988, 1990 and 1991 and two with Mika Häkkinen in 1998 and 1999).

The winning relationship goes back earlier still, to 1955, when Juan-Manual Fangio drove the original Mercedes-Benz SLR through the tight hairpin bends of one of the most gruelling road races in the history of motorsport: the 1000-mile Mille Miglia. During this race and all others, Fangio wore on his wrist, like every F1 World Champion since, a TAG Heuer, then named Heuer, timepiece.

Today, the TAG Heuer/McLaren Mercedes partnership is stronger than ever. All McLaren Mercedes cars carry TAG Heuer technology, not just in F1 but at all professional levels of the sport. McLaren Mercedes drivers and TAG Heuer Brand Ambassadors Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard, like their predecessors Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, and Mika Häkkinen, endorse TAG Heuer timepieces at every race or testing session. They also participate actively in the design and development of new TAG Heuer watches and functionalities.

In 2004 and to celebrate 20 years of partnership, TAG Heuer has renewed and extended its partnership with Team West McLaren Mercedes and its drivers, Kimi Raïkkönen and David Coulthard, becoming the team's Corporate Partner and Official Timekeeper. The idea for the chronograph was conceived in the F1 paddock during an encounter between TAG Heuer CEO and President Jean-Christophe Babin and the director of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Project, Klaus Nesser.

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