At the press conference TAG HeuerThe Mikrotimer Flying 1000 Concept Chronograph, the world's first mechanical chronograph to measure and display 1/1000th of a second, was unveiled yesterday in Basel by CEO Jean-Christophe Babin. The watch, which has not yet been tested, is nonetheless functional, according to Babin himself; however, no details were given as to the materials used or how far it can run. The special feature of this timepiece is that it is equipped with a mechanical movement that oscillates at the incredible speed of 3,600,000 vibrations per hour (500 Hz). The central sphere of the Mikrotimer Flying 1000 makes an exceptional series of 10 complete rotations of the main dial, indicating 1/1000th of a second and 1/100th of a second on a graduated scale from 0 to 100 on the outside of the dial. A second, smaller main sphere indicates the minutes (TAG Heuer patent pending) and 1/12th of a minute on a second 150-second scale. A counter at 6 o'clock displays 1/10th of a second, calibrated to 5 seconds. In all, the Concept Chronograph has eleven patents pending.
