Tag Heuer has announced this tribute Muhammad Ali watch at a special event in New York in a nod to the late, great boxing champion. The timepiece is a self-winding 43mm Calibre 5 model that's sure to have collectors queuing.
The watch will initially be limited to just 250 pieces, although another release could follow next year.
Either way, you'll have to be fast on your feet if you want one, with retailers said to be more excited by this model than many other recent releases.
Signature timer
On the wrist the highly polished steel-cased watch looks larger than its 43mm and, thanks to an under-glass 15-round boxing bezel circling the dial, it looks undeniably special. The bezel, adjustable by a crown at 10 o'clock, has a red chequered pattern and takes its cues from a Heuer 'Ringmaster' boxing stop-watch in the brand's museum.
For collectors of memorabilia the biggest distinguishing feature will be that the dial bears Ali's signature, while his portrait is engraved on the case-back. There's a date at 6 o'clock and the watch is water resistant to 100 metres.
Presented on a black leather strap with red stitching, it's priced at a reasonable $3850, less than many such 'commemorative' editions.
Fitting tribute
Not generally available to collectors is a one-off gold version of the watch being auctioned – along with a pair of boxing gloves signed by Ali – with proceeds going to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Centre.
The timepieces were unveiled at a tribute dinner held in Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn where Ali trained. It was attended by his wife Lonnie, close friends, and former sparring partners including Charles "Chuck" Wepner, George Chuvalo and Earnie Shavers, and those who were inspired by Ali such as Evander Holyfield, Roberto Durán and Lennox Lewis.
Tag CEO Jean-Claude Biver spoke and TAG Heuer ambassadors including Tom Brady and Henrik Lundqvist also attended.