Zach Brass
Despite being born and raised in the United States, this past anniversary weekend made me realize the massive scale of the Indianapolis 500. To put my ignorance into perspective, I didn’t even put it together from the fact that 500 of the 500 drivers drive a total of 500 miles. The New York City-based editor, who has no driver license, knew that he could learn a lot before race day as an editor at Tide+Tide, who hasn’t seen the drive to survive, let alone the IndyCar race. Luckily, when I visited Alexander Rossi’s garage I was able to get a bit of a crash course. The ambassador for the Tag Heuer brand is a former F1 driver and the 2016 Indy 500 champion, so he seemed very suitable for this job.
The first incredible fact I learned was that the Indy 500 hosted around 350,000 participants. In relation to the race itself, Rossi explained that this year was the 109th run of the Indy 500, an action-packed race with 12 teams and a total of 34 drivers, each topped at a speed of about 230 mph.
Driving at such a speed sounds like an absolute thrill, but as I saw some of my colleagues take one hot knee around the truck and leave the car with the appearance of deer head lighting in front of their own life, it says a statement about how tough it is for a more demanding driver, even greater speed and how tough it is for 199 drivers. Rossi explained during the race that drivers could lose up to 6-7 pounds from sweat alone. If you can ride an Indy car several times a month, you don’t need an ozempic…
The event was large, but there was no one empty seat in the house. The energy is obvious and it’s difficult to not feel high contact due to the smell of burning rubber popcorn. I almost felt like I was at a gladiator event. The huge crowd is eagerly waiting, hoping for the inevitable wipeout that comes at such a high speed during hundreds of laps. It certainly didn’t take long as Scott McLaughlin had to leave the race before it officially started. It’s all fun and game when it’s a vehicle that leaves violently, but Alexander Rossi’s car-like moment suddenly gets engulfed in flames during a pit stop, and Robert Schwartzman’s car slips into multiple crews during a pit stop, bringing the dangers of high-speed racing into view.
I would probably be a little overwhelmed if I hadn’t sailed my Maiden Indy 500 with Tag Heuer. There are a huge crowd of hundreds of thousands of people in response to the constant roar of engines fired in full cylinders, each pass fired up. How deeply this event has ingrained into urban and state cultures has all stopped while the race is taking place. Adrenaline is injected throughout the economy, and those living on the racecourse may even use their valuable driveway real estate to sell parking to visitors who don’t want to be trapped in a parade of vehicles who are about to leave the venue immediately when the race is over. I still have a ton of learning about sports, but I hope to come back with TAG Heuer again next year so that I can take on more of this iconic American spectacle. Have a great weekend!
Zack and Time + Tide Team
Check out Meme of the Weat: Aspirational Luxury
However, as one commenter pointed out, “I have a Centurion card, but I can’t get a Ruby Daytona”…
This week’s wrist shot: Urban Jurgensen alert!
Less than a week before Kari Voutilainen-led city Jurgensen presented its next-generation brand, Watch Brothers London has properly shared a delicious wrist shot of the tasty city Jurgensen Ref, a permanent calendar of yellow gold tasty city Jurgensen Ref 2. With the support of Stellar Watch photographer Tim Vaux, all the complicated details are fully focused. Particularly the dials turned to the rings, hands and engines of chapters inspired by Breguet. We are very interested to see what the city Jurgensen will showcase in the next few days…
Time+Tide Shop Pick of the Week: Boldr Odyssey Freediver
Singapore’s indie brand Boldr has built a reputation for being a very robust tool watch at very reasonable prices. The Odyssey sits at the high end of the offering, but is still very accessible, with the Spec comparable to some of the toughest divers on the market. Measured at 44m, it is made from 316L stainless steel, and is 30ATM rate, and survives everything from the Olympic pool to the bottom of the ocean, while maintaining accurate timekeeping with an eye-catching dial.
Discover Boldr Odyssey Freediver online and in-store at Melbourne Discovery Studios and at The Time+Tide Shop. Price: $1,310
This Month Time + Tide Shop Accessories: Artem Classic Sailcloth Strap
Australian strap brand Artem recently created a big splash with the impressive Hydrophex hybrid rubber strap, but the dressy sale cross straps are also a bit noteworthy. Inspired by the construction of Blanpine’s 50 Fathom Strap, it combines an expert blend of the underside of the leather base with a synthetic embossed top material complemented by a natural rubber layer for permanent comfort and durability. A big selling point for me is that they can be optional with spring-loaded clasps, similar to those offered as standard for Richard Mill and Roger Dubuis watches.
Artem Classic Standard Straps start at $167 and are available in a variety of lug widths. Find out more at Artem Straps’ online store.
Our Favorite Time + This Week’s Trend
Did you confirm that Omega signed Aaron Taylor Johnson as ambassador, as James Bond?
The British actor has been at the forefront of the next 007 for a long time, but does that mean his signature with Omega was eventually sealed? I think so, not just because of the company’s synergy. Jamie is delving into this development here.
Gulf x Tag Heuer Monaco returns with sandblast titanium
Last week ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer released three completely different new Monaco models to celebrate its presence in the historic race as the official timekeeper of Formula 1. But of these three, it was Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph X Gulf that got the warmest reception, especially on social media channels. Fans love this Monaco. This is where Zack comes in.
Heritage Officer Alain Borghe and 50 Years of Vintage Piaget
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzfuruninu0
What happens when Andrew and Piaget’s legacy executive Alain Borgie gather? A deep dive into an incredible 50-year-old vintage Piaget watch. The video provides an insightful investigation into Piaget’s remarkable influence on watchmaking over the past 50 years, highlighting its innovative design elements, exceptional craftsmanship and enduring stylistic heritage. Give me the above watch.
