TAG Heuer, a brief history

TAG stands for Techniques d'Avant Garde, teaming up with Heuer they have become a global leader in watch manufacturing, offering a huge range of models from the Aquaracer to the Monza they have a watch for every occasion.

A brief history

Established in 1860 Eduard Heuer started the brand, age 20 Eduoud Heuer open his watch making shop on the family farm making pocket watches. By 1869 Eduard Heuer filed his first patent for a key-less wind pocket watch, instead using the crown to wind, he also received a patent in 1887 for the osculating pinion, this is what makes a mechanical chronograph start and stop instantly.

At the turn of the 20th century the change in industry and science placed more of a demand on the accuracy, more accurate timepieces were a must. By 1916 Heuer had the Mikrograph and the Microsplit available for athletics and motor sport.

In the years between the 1930’s and 1960’s is when Heuer wristwatches were born. Initially Heuer had made a large range of pocket watch timers but not very many wristwatches. During this period Heuer took the wristwatch to new heights and expanded the range of wrist chronographs to become the world leaders.

From 1960 onward Jack Heuer took control of the family business and helped the company to create newer more accurate chronographs as well as dashboard stopwatches to be used in the rally world. During Jack’s time in charge the Autavia came into existence as the first Heuer watch with a collection name.

1969 saw the release of the release of the first automatic chronograph movment, The Calibre 11 was born and was the result of a joint venture led by Heuer. Three models initially used the Calibre 11 movement, the Monaco would grab the most attention. Moving forward Heuer became very well known in the racing world.

In 1985 Techniques d’Avant-Garde took ownership of Heuer and the name TAG Heuer was to become well know within the watch industry and models that were designed in the 80’s are still alive in today’s catalogue, there designs have changed as the times have have the essence remains the same.

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