Zach attends his first Indy 500 with TAG Heuer
Zach BlassDespite being born and raised in the USA, it was not until this past Memorial Day Weekend that I understood the massive scale of the Indianapolis 500. To put my ignorance in perspective, I had not even put it together that the 500 in the Indy 500 stems from the fact that the drivers across the two hundred laps will drive a total of 500 miles. As the driver’s license-less New York City-based Editor for Time+Tide who has yet to even watch a minute of Drive to Survive, let alone an IndyCar race, I knew I had a lot to learn ahead of race day. Fortunately, I was able to get a bit of a crash course during a visit to the garage of Alexander Rossi. The TAG Heuer brand ambassador is a former F1 driver, and 2016 Indy 500 champion, so he seemed pretty well-suited for the job.
The first mind-blowing fact I learned was that the Indy 500 hosts approximately 350,000 attendees, which, to put it in perspective, is more than three times a fully-packed Michigan Stadium (107,601). Pertaining to the race itself, Rossi explained that this year was the 109th running of the Indy 500, an action-packed race with twelve teams and a total of 34 drivers, each topping out at speeds around 230 miles per hour.
Driving at such speeds sounds like an absolute thrill, but having seen some of my colleagues take a single hot lap around the track and exit the car with a deer-in-headlights look that seemed to convey their lives had flashed before their eyes, it contextualises how grueling the race can be for the drivers who have to that, but at max speed and 199 more times. Rossi explained that throughout the course of the race, the drivers can lose up to six or seven pounds in sweat alone. No need for Ozempic if you can get yourself in an Indy car a few times a month…
Though the scale of the event is massive, I did not see a single empty seat in the house. The energy is palpable, and it is hard not to feel a contact high off the popcorn-like smell of burning rubber. I did feel a sense of being at almost a gladiatorial event, a giant crowd expecting and eagerly awaiting the inevitable wipeouts that come at such high speeds over the course of hundreds of laps. It certainly did not take long, with Scott McLaughlin having to exit the race before it even formally began. It is all fun and games when it is just the vehicle that comes away scathed, but moments like Alexander Rossi’s car suddenly finding itself engulfed in flames during a pit stop, and Robert Shwartzman’s car sliding into multiple crewmen during a pit stop do put the dangers of high-speed racing into perspective.
Had I not had my maiden Indy 500 voyage with TAG Heuer, I probably would have been a little overwhelmed. The constant roar of the engines firing at full cylinder, a massive crowd of hundreds of thousands cheering in excitement with each pass. It is abundantly clear just how ingrained this event is in the culture of the city and state, everything stops while this race is held. A whole economy is injected with adrenaline, and those who live by the race course even leverage their precious driveway real estate to sell parking to visitors who don’t want to get trapped in the parade of vehicles all trying to leave the venue at once when the race comes to a close. I still have a ton to learn about the sport, but I hope to be back again with TAG Heuer next year so I can further take in this iconic American spectacle. Have a wonderful weekend!
Zach and the Time+Tide Team
Watch meme of the week: aspirational luxury
View this post on Instagram
Although, as one commenter pointed out, “I have the Centurion Card, but can’t get the ruby Daytona”…
Wristshot of the week: Urban Jurgensen alert!
View this post on Instagram
With less than a week until the Kari Voutilainen-led Urban Jurgensen presents the next generation of the brand, Watch Brothers London has aptly shared a delectable wristshot of a tasty Urban Jurgensen Ref 2 Perpetual Calendar in yellow gold. With the assistance of stellar watch photographer Tim Vaux, all of the intricate details are perfectly in focus, in particular the Breguet-inspired chapter rings, hands, and engine-turned dial. We are very curious to see what Urban Jurgensen introduces in the coming days…
Time+Tide Shop pick of the week: Boldr Odyssey Freediver
Singaporean indie brand Boldr has built a reputation for extremely robust tool watches at extremely reasonable prices – the Odyssey sits at the higher end of their offerings, but still remains extremely accessible, with specs rivalling some of the toughest divers on the market. Measuring up at 44m, it’s made of 316L stainless steel, is 30ATM-rated, and will survive everything from an Olympic pool to the bottom of the ocean while maintaining accurate timekeeping on its eye-catching dial.
Discover the Boldr Odyssey Freediver in the Time+Tide Shop, online and in-store at our Melbourne Discovery Studio. Price: A$1,310
Time+Tide Shop accessory of the month: Artem Classic Sailcloth Strap
Australian strap brand Artem has made a big splash with their impressive HydroFlex hybrid rubber straps as of late, but their dressier sailcloth straps also deserve a bit of attention. Inspired by the construction of Blancpain Fifty Fathoms straps, they combine a synthetic, embossed upper material, complemented by the underside’s expert blend of a leather base and a natural rubber layer for enduring comfort and durability. The big selling point for me is that you can option them with spring-loaded clasps, similar to those provided as standard on Richard Mille and Roger Dubuis watches.
Artem Classic Standard straps start at A$167 and are available in a range of lug widths. Find out more at Artem Straps’ online store here.
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
Could Omega’s signing of Aaron Taylor-Johnson as an ambassador confirm him as James Bond?
The British actor has long been the frontrunner for the next 007, but does his signing with Omega mean the deal has finally been sealed? We reckon so, and not just for corporate synergy reasons. Jamie delves into this development here.
The Gulf x TAG Heuer Monaco makes its return in sandblasted titanium
Last week, ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer released three quite different new Monaco models to celebrate their presence at the historic race as F1’s official timekeeper. Of these three, however, it was the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph x Gulf that got the warmest reception – especially on our social media channels. Fans love this Monaco, which channels Steve McQueen like never before. Zach has the nitty-gritty here.
Five decades of vintage Piaget with Heritage Officer Alain Borgeaud
What happens when Andrew and Piaget Heritage Officer Alain Borgeaud get together? A deep dive into five decades of incredible vintage Piaget watches. This video provides an insightful exploration of Piaget’s remarkable influence on watchmaking over the past five decades, highlighting its innovative design elements, exceptional craftsmanship, and enduring stylistic legacy. Give it a watch above.