Maria Sharapova

August 22, 2006 [New York, NY] –Tennis star Maria Sharapova launched her new TAG Heuer “AQUARACER Steel & 18K Gold Watch with Diamonds” and announced her new charity, The Maria Sharapova Foundation, today at Bloomingdale’s 59^th Street in New York.   During her visit, Sharapova met fans and signed autographs while sporting her watch she helped design. 

Based on the original and successful stainless steel Aquaracer with diamonds, the timepiece has a white mother-of-pearl dial with 10 Top Wesselton, pure VVS diamonds and an 18K gold bezel set with 35 Top Wesselton, pure VVS diamonds.  As with all TAG Heuer Aquaracer watches, it incorporates the following features: water resistant to 200 meters; screw-in crown; scratch-resistant sapphire crystal; luminescent hour and minute hands; unidirectional turning bezel and double-safety clasp. 

“On behalf of TAG Heuer, we are thrilled to introduce this new timepiece with Maria and very proud to announce our contribution to her foundation,” said TAG Heuer North America President & CEO Daniel Lalonde.  “Maria embodies the brand and adds glamour to our sports-inspired timepieces.  Her exceptional performance has contributed greatly to TAG Heuer’s success and growth in the women’s market.” 

“I love the new look of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer with its steel and gold accents and I’m happy to share this with my fans,” said Sharapova.  “I’m also very thankful for TAG Heuer’s support of my new foundation and look forward to helping children around the world.”

TAG Heuer also presented Sharapova with a certificate pledging the donation of five percent of the national proceeds of her new watch from Aug. 22 through the U.S. Open to her new charity, The Maria Sharapova Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to helping “At Risk” children of all ages to achieve their dreams. 

Additionally, Sharapova and her watch are portrayed in the new version of the TAG Heuer “What Are You Made Of?” advertising campaign, which was photographed by Joël Von Allmen and also features TAG Heuer ambassador Tiger Woods.  The integrated communications campaign takes the brand’s message a step further from its January 2005 “Sports and Glamour” theme to its September 2006 debut of “Strength and Beauty,” with a strong focus on steel and 18K gold timepieces and women’s collections.

This latest “What Are You Made Of?” campaign, produced by Inox Graphic Design of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, consists of print ads to appear in leading fashion, lifestyle and sports publications, as well as other media including: interactive, billboards and direct marketing.   

 Maria Sharapova signs her new TAG Heuer campaign ad during the launch of her new TAG Heuer AQUARACER Steel & 18K Gold Watch with Diamonds at Bloomingdale's 59th Street in New York City on Aug. 22, 2006. 

TAG Heuer North America President & CEO Daniel Lalonde presents Maria Sharapova with a certificate pledging TAG Heuer's donation.  Five percent of the proceeds from the sale of the watch from Aug. 22 through the U.S. Open will benefit Sharapova's new charity, The Maria Sharapova Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to helping 'at-risk' children achieve their dreams.  (photo by Emile Wamsteker)

Maria Sharapova sports her new TAG Heuer AQUARACER Steel & 18K Gold Watch with Diamonds at Bloomingdale's 59th Street in New York on Aug. 22, 2006.  (photo by Emile Wamsteker)