Newswire

By William George Shuster -- JCK Online, 10/1/2006 2:00:00 AM

The F2 UTC Typhoon by Tutima, the German watchmaker, is the official timepiece of the Eurofighter Typhoon, the world's most advanced aircraft and a joint venture between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The new dual-time-zone automatic watch (with UTC date display) joins the NATO chronograph as official military equipment created for professional pilots by Tutima, which has supplied chronos to NATO pilots for over 20 years. For consumers, there's a limited edition (2,000 worldwide, individually numbered).
Swiss luxury watchmaker Frédérique Constant Geneve now has its own watch magazine, called Live Your Passion. It will be published twice a year, starting with its Summer 2006 issue, and is dedicated primarily to the company and timepieces of Frédérique Constant. For more information, contact Frédérique Constant S.A., Chemin du Champs des Filles 32 CH-1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Genève, Switzerland; (41-22) 860-0440; e-mail: info@frederique-constant.com
Swiss watch brand Tissot has signed a multiyear deal with the International Speedway Corp., adding the Homestead-Miami Speedway, California Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, and Michigan International Speedway. The agreement positions Tissot at the coveted start/finish line of six major U.S. racetracks, including the ISC track Watkins Glen International. Tissot is also NASCAR's official timekeeper. ISC is a leading promoter of motor sports in the United States, with more than 100 racing events annually. It also owns or operates 11 of the major U.S. motor sports speedways and tracks.
Tiret New York, the luxury timepiece and jewelry brand, has opened a 1,700-square-foot salon, with by-appointment-only shopping, on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Daniel Lazar, Tiret co-founder and designer, is available for consultation for those interested in couture timepieces or who want one-of-a- kind jewelry. For information, visit www.tiretnewyork.com.
Joe Urich, co-founder and editor-in-chief of hr:WATCHES magazine, resigned Aug. 18. The publication, started in 1997, was one of the first U.S. publications devoted exclusively to mechanical watches. Urich said he plans to parlay his expertise and experience in the watch industry into creating “the largest U.S. watch trade show and exposition in American history.” No other details were provided. In 1992, Urich co-founded the first and largest communications trade show in South America, called BrasilLink, which has since expanded to Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.
Swiza S.A., a Swiss family business founded in 1904, has been acquired by Bedonia, a holding company in Delémont, Switzerland. Swiza specializes in making travel and alarm clocks for its Swiza and Matthew Norman brands and for prestigious private brands. Swiss press reports said Bedonia will provide financial and industrial support to Swiza, assist in maintaining and developing jobs, and focus on “development possibilities” for its own brands. Former Swiza owner Pierre Schwab remains as chairman and chief executive officer.