SPECIAL REPORTDAMAN^AUGUST/SEPTEMBER2019174
Prelude to Chapter Two
The launch of the Autavia collection in the Land
Down Under took place at the iconic Catalina
restaurant, situated at the waterfront of Rose
Bay in the east part of Sydney on June 26. As
noon approached, a mix of journalists and social
media influencers congregated at the waterfront
venue, there to rub shoulders with a number of
well-known local figures.
Melbourne-born model Elyse Knowles
was among the guests of the day, along with
pro footballer—Australian rules football, that
is—Scott Pendlebury and Australian fashion
designer Pip Edwards. Also present was Amelia
Sillard, TAG Heuer’s Managing Director for
Southeast Asia and Australia.
While waiting for the event proper to start,
the guests were treated to an amazing waterfront
view and—more importantly—a chance to get
up close and personal with the Autavia watches.
Several vintage models were flown in directly
from the TAG Heuer Museum in La Chaux-
de-Fonds, Switzerland, and put on display.
Pieces from the newly reintroduced collection,
meanwhile, were placed at the tables, and soon
found themselves on the wrists of invitees eager
to get a feel of the new timepieces.A lot of wrist shots were shared on Instagram
that day, especially since the event coincided
with a clear winter day and the wide expanse of
Rose Bay made for the perfect background.A Legend Introduces a Legend
The impromptu photo sessions was then
interrupted as the actual launch event was about
to commence. And in short order, the man of the
hour—who was previously spotted in his own
photo shoot at a pier with a seaplane bearing the
TAG Heuer logo—walked into Catalina.
Chris Hemsworth has been collaborating with
TAG Heuer for almost half a decade now, but
his first serious brush with the brand came a
couple of year earlier when he played as British
racing legend James Hunt in the 2013 movie
“Rush.” For watch enthusiasts, the biographical
film was noted for using the era-appropriate
Heuer logo and for one memorable scene where
Hemsworth was seen rocking a gold Heuer
Carrera chronograph watch. His performance
in “Rush” caught the eye of TAG Heuer and
Hemsworth’s ambassadorship came about
quite naturally. The relationship with the self-
professed adrenaline junkie and the Swiss watch
brand has gone swimmingly since then.Now, while Hemsworth’s passion for racing
made him the perfect face for TAG Heuer’s
Carrera watches, he also has a penchant
for adventure while at his home country—
something that resonates quite well with the
Autavia collection. “The Carrera that I was given
years ago was fantastic, but I have to say the
Autavia is pretty lovely,” the actor elaborated.“The Autavia’s
saga, however,
was cut short
in 1985 when
production of
the line ceased
... until 2019,
that is”