Patrick Dempsey & Julien Tornare reopened TAG Heuer’s Sydney flagship in dramatic style
Jamie WeissTAG Heuer’s flagship Australian boutique in the Sydney CBD has long been one of their top boutiques globally – a testament to how popular TAG Heuer has been with Aussies since the brand launched Down Under in 1986. (I strongly recommend you read Luke B’s amazing in-depth piece about the history of TAG Heuer in Australia here.) However, over the last few months, it’s had its doors firmly closed, with TAG hard at work giving it a big renovation – much to the chagrin of the Harbour City’s passionate Heuer collectors.
Last night, they finally threw open the doors, revealing a classy new design featuring classy stone and wood accents. Well, actually, global brand ambassador, acclaimed actor, Sexiest Man Alive and genuinely lovely dude Patrick Dempsey threw open the doors, alongside newly appointed TAG Heuer CEO (and similarly top bloke) Julien Tornare. It was a proper media scrum with McSteamy in town.
“We’re so proud to reopen our Sydney boutique after a complete transformation, bringing to life our new avant-garde design. Sydney has been recognised as the leading boutique globally, so we couldn’t be more excited about this elevated space for visitors to immerse themselves in the TAG Heuer world”, Van Mulryan, TAG Heuer General Manager Australia and New Zealand, proudly shared.
TAG also threw one of the most lavish dinners I’ve ever seen later on in the evening, with local stars like Troye Sivan, Kyle Chalmers, G Flip and Josh Heuston all in attendance alongside Dempsey – with some tasteful vintage Heuers such as the OG ref. 2447 N and the motorsports-famous ref. 1158 CHN on display. Thanks so much to TAG Heuer for having me – stay tuned for my interview with the new CEO.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Jamie
Watch meme of the week: never go full Brando
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You’re not Marlon Brando and you’re not a watchmaker, so leave your bezel alone (and your caseback, and your crystal – although, as you’ll see later in this article, do as we say and not as we do…)
Wrist shot of the week: an 18ct feast for the eyes
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“Delicious like cookie dough, flat like a flounder and breathtakingly beautiful like a Dali painting” – the team at Goldammer certainly know how to sell a watch. This Piaget “TV” from the 70s is exquisite.
Time+Tide Shop pick of the week: Hamilton Dune Limited Editions
It didn’t take long for us to sell out our stock of the two Hamilton x Dune limited editions that dropped just last week – but thankfully, we’ve just got more stock. For those that are out of the loop, Hamilton worked with the prop master for Dune: Part Two to create a futuristic prop watch for Timothée Chalamet and other protagonists to wear in the film, as well as two limited-edition Ventura models that are slightly different to the prop but are available in the real world. These black takes on the Ventura are each inspired by the distinct blue hue of the Fremen’s eyes and elements of the prop watch’s design.
Order now from the Time+Tide Shop or purchase at our Melbourne Discovery Studio. Price: US$1,750 (Ventura XXL Bright Dune), US$2,500 (Ventura Edge Dune).
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
The perpetual calendar through the years
Borna outdid himself this week, penning a fantastic look into the history of one of the most coveted horological complications – the perpetual calendar – just in time for the 29th of February. Happy leap year, folks. Do yourself a favour and read his in-depth article here.
My DIY restoration of a solid gold Universal Genève that cost $7
If you haven’t read Buffy’s first story about this watch, here’s the gist: they went to an op shop, rummaged through a box of junk, and stumbled across a broken Universal Genève for A$6.99. Once they took it home, they discovered that it was made from solid 18k white gold. Yeah, we can’t believe it either. Now they’re fixing it up themselves while spending as little money as possible – a bold move, but one I’m glad they’re taking on because it’s lead to an amazing ongoing article series. Get stuck into the latest chapter here.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date blends old-school complications with new-school sports watch vibes
The Overseas is Vacheron Constantin’s most well-known and popular watch model. Retrograde displays are one of Vacheron Constantin’s signature complications. So, what happens when you combine the two? You get this: the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date, the first retrograde display in a sports watch for this storied Swiss brand, and a watch that places two quite old-school complications within a thoroughly sporty and modern timepiece. Read my hands-on review here.