ExclusiveMotoGP^TM Special: An Ethos-Exclusive Tissot Timepiece For Motor Racing Enthusiasts

With the British Grand Prix kickstarting tomorrow at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK (until August 26), it’s only logical to talk about the one watch brand that has been a relentless supporter of the sport—Tissot. Since the year 2001, Tissot has been affiliated with the MotoGP^TM as the official timekeeper. In 2003, after drawing inspiration from fast bikes, Tissot launched the first official MotoGP^TM watch and the Tissot T-Race a year later. Akin to the dynamics of race-car driving, Tissot has been evolving its offerings with supreme technological prowess at top speed. A 2018 launch by Tissot is the bold and masculine T-Race MotoGP^TM 2018 Automatic Limited Edition watch.

As the producer of a niche of reasonably affordable watches for hardcore speed-bike fans, Tissot is setting new standards as well as strengthening its core values of performance and precision. From its foundation in the small Swiss Jura town of Le Locle to earning a presence in more than 150 countries, the brand has acquired a relentless pioneering spirit that is committed to inspire. With a versatile range of high-quality timepieces at more attractive prices than most other Swiss watch brands of repute, Tissot also expresses its commitment to making excellence accessible.

A Sporty Streak

Tissot has a long-standing history with sports. The company’s first association with a sporting event was in 1938 when the brand acted as official timekeeper for a ski racing event in Villar, Switzerland. Tissot has been a key sponsor for the Formula One teams of Lotus, Renault and Sauber and the official timekeeper and partner of FIBA, AFL, MotoGP^TM, FIM Superbike and the World Championships of cycling, fencing and ice hockey.

Leaving no stone unturned, the watchmaker has also collaborated with top-ranked racers such as Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo, and rising Swiss motorcycle racing star Thomas Lüthi. Currently occupying the numero uno status in the MotoGP^TM World Standings 2018, Márquez is one of the most promising motorcycle riders of the circuit at the age of just 25. Tissot signed up this youngest ever six-time world champion as a brand ambassador in February this year. Another Spanish racer, who rode a bike for the first time at the age of three and is now part of the Tissot family, is Jorge Lorenzo. The 31-year-old tasted success right from the word go. He won the Balearic Championship when he was just eight years old. Placed third on the MotoGP^TM charts, Lorenzo is keeping viewers engaged with stellar performances. With him going head-to-head with Márquez in this year’s MotoGP^TM season, it’ll be interesting to see which Tissot star wins in the end!

An Automatic Winner

The brand’s association with sports has been so close and extensive that it has inspired the watchmaker on a number of occasions to produce timepieces specifically designed for sporting activities. Since 2001, the watchmaker has been releasing official limited-edition models as well as timing instruments. Not only are their watches worn by the riders for their own personal references, but Tissot’s own transponders are also installed on each bike.

The motorbike racing-inspired chronograph incorporates the colours of MotoGP^TM and Tissot with the overall black look and striking red details. Its 45mm stainless steel round case with black and rose gold PVD treatment houses several exciting elements for motorbike fans. These include the brake-disc anticlockwise rotating bezel, and the oscillating mass of the automatic movement featuring lines illustrating tyre treads—visible through the transparent caseback.

The 30-minute and 6-hour counters, and the central 60-seconds chronograph hand are positioned on the heavily detailed anthracite dial. Completing the racy look are the pushers on the side of the case resembling the footrests, while the black silicone strap that integrates a synthetic structure depicts the rear suspension rods. This watch is water resistant up to 100m and offers a 45-hour power reserve. Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, it is produced in only 3,333 pieces. Expressing resilience through the eye-catching design, this watch—presented in a helmet box—is a true collector’s item for motorbike fans.