Up Close with Tissot at the Thrilling MotoGP in Austin

Last weekend marked an exciting and unique opportunity to delve into the adrenaline-laced world of MotoGP, thanks to the centuries-old Swiss watchmaker, Tissot. With a longstanding affiliation with various global sports, from basketball to cycling, Tissot has been gracing the tracks as the official timekeeper of MotoGP for the last ten years. The Grand Prix weekend in Austin offered an exhilarating glimpse into this relationship, along with sneak peeks into Tissot’s latest timepieces.

The task of timing such an event, with its near-blur speeds, is a technological marvel. Hidden beneath the racing surface, an elaborate network of induction loops serves as checkpoints. Each bike is equipped with a transponder that feeds back information to this system in real-time, recording everything from sector times to speeds. The finish line relies on high-speed cameras, shooting at an astonishing 10,000 frames per second, ensuring that victory is decided by the front tire’s leading edge, leaving no room for error.

Representatives from Tissot shed light on their forthcoming endeavors throughout the weekend. It was clear that sports and performance play a pivotal role in how the brand sees its future. Be it their association with the NBA or collaborations with cycling brands, the sports theme deeply influences their watch designs. From the sporty T-Race series to the tech-focused T-Touch models, performance is paramount. Yet, it’s their Visodate 39mm model, released earlier this year, which stood out as a charming blend of classical elegance and modern functionality.