TAG Heuer Introduces the Microtimer: The First Watch Precise to 1/1000th of a Second

In 1966, Heuer (before it was TAG Heuer) patented the first miniaturized electronictimekeeping instrument accurate to 1/1000th of a second. Now, 38 years later, TAGHeuer releases the first wristwatch capable of the same level of precision: theMicrotimer.Features of the MicrotimerF1 racing timer. The TAG Heuer Microtimer is a very unique looking, very sophisticated watch designedfor timing sporting events with unprecedented accuracy. The fact that TAG Heuerwas the first to achieve this level of precision is a testament to its reputationin the world of racing.The Microtimer sells for roughly $1,300.Additional resourcesTheMicrotimer product page.TheMicrotimer Diamonds.Microtimerproduct card (PDF).Microtimeruser manual (PDF).Update (4/15/2005): From Watch Report reader Victor Shiff, "The 1/1000 timer from TAG Heuer is not the first such watch. Some 12+ years ago (from fallible memory), Casio had several watches with 1/1000 second (1 ms) chronograph functions, cheaper than $1300 too!. There is an unstated problem with these 1 ms chronographs and that is the contact bounce of the button contacts that the watch circuitry has to ignore. This bounce can be from 5 ms to as much as 15 ms and is not necessarily repeatable. What this means to me is the 1 ms is marketing hype."Thanks, Victor. I noticed shortly after publishing this article that the Seiko Sportura World Time (SNJ005) quietly launched with a millisecond timer. Maybe what TAG meant is that they had the most expensive such watch, or perhaps the coolest looking. I'll give them that. Measurements precise to 1/1000th of a second.Time each lap individually, and quickly recover the fastestlap in Best Lap mode. (Maximum lap time of59 minutes, 59 seconds, and 999 thousandths of a second.)Lap indicator. While in F1 racing mode, the watch displays the number ofthe current lap. (Maximum of 80 laps.)Total race time. In addition to the time of the current lap, watch the totaltime of the race.Alarm (sounds for 60 seconds).Chronograph (stopwatch) with split times. (Measures to 1/1000th of asecond, maximum time of 99 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds, and 999 thousandthsof a second.)Date.Dual time zone display.Quartz movement.Water-resistant to 100 meters (10 ATM, 10 BAR, or 330 feet).Scratch-proof, anti-reflective sapphire crystal.Water-resistant, vulcanized, anti-UV treated rubber strap.Backlight (illuminates for six seconds).Low battery indicator (battery life between2 and 3 years, depending on use)."Screen saver." Turns the watch display off when not in use.