the following is from TAG-Heuer's website, relating to the release of the Calibre 360 chronograph.

so who among us will be the first to own one of these? maybe someone will "go cheap", and get one of the first 360 pieces being made in stainless steel?

Jeff

Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold Limited Edition (500 pcs)

At BASELWORLD 2005, TAG Heuer presented the Calibre 360 Concept Chronograph, the first mechanical wrist chronograph to measure and display time to 1/100th of a second. Now, at BASELWORLD 2006, privileged collectors looking for the most accurate mechanical timepiece ever made will have their first glimpse of the Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold, in a special limited edition of only 500 pieces.

The Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold Limited Edition pays homage to the peerless timekeeping heritage and longstanding links to motor racing of TAG Heuer’s formidable Carrera series. Launched in 1964, the first Carrera timepiece derived its name from the grueling Carrera Panamericana road race, and was worn by the Maestro, racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio. The horological descendent, the Carrera Calibre 360 Rose Gold Limited Edition features sober, easy-to-read-and-use details inspired by TAG Heuer’s vintage stopwatches. These include the extra large Start/Stop push button; the enhanced fluted crown; the 100-minute chronograph power reserve at 12 o’clock; and the oversized 1/100th of a second counter at 6 o’clock.

The Calibre 360 beats 10 times faster than the most precise mechanical wristwatch movements on the market today. It is like a living being endowed with two hearts — 2 sets of escapement mechanisms — allowing it to cruise at regular speed (28,800 oscillations/hour) under normal conditions, then accelerate to immense speed (360,000 oscillations/hour) in chronograph mode. For a movement to be this incredibly precise requires more than 230 components, a lightened and miniaturized hairspring and escapement mechanism (26% smaller in diameter than an ordinary balance wheel), and finally, no fewer than 3 exclusive worldwide patents:

1. 1/100th of a second display on a mechanical wrist chronograph
2. Bi-directional crown and rewind system: The single crown controls the automatic watch and the mechanical chronograph, as well as the watch’s hour and date setting. When turned counter-clockwise, it rewinds the automatic watch; when turned clockwise, it rewinds the manual chronograph.
3. Transmission of the date from the base of the movement to the upper dial.

With this special limited edition, the Calibre 360 movement is graced with the luxurious design, materials, and craftsmanship it deserves: an elegant chocolate-brown “guilloché” dial with hand-applied 18ct rose gold hands and indexes; 18ct rose gold watch case; and chocolate-brown, hand-sewn alligator strap. The sapphire crystal case back offers a glimpse of the oscillating weight specially engraved with the movement’s name and beautifully decorated with Côte de Genève pattern.

The Carrera Calibre 360 is also available in:

Carrera Calibre 360 White Gold Limited Edition (100 pcs):

18 ct white gold case; silver “guilloché” dial with blue-ring 1/100th of a second counter; dark blue hand-sewn alligator strap.

Carrera Calibre 360 Steel Limited Edition (360 pcs):

Polished steel case; black “guilloché” dial with silver-ringed 1/100th of a second counter; black alligator strap.