Tag-ging Bangkok

All roads led to Bangkok recently, as Tag Heuer celebrated 50 years of that iconic first sports chronograph watch, the Carrera. The Carrera watch made its dramatic arrival on the motor racing scene in 1963, when fabled watch designer Jack Heuer, inspired by the legendary Carrera Panamericana Mexico Road Race, came out with a watch that was specifically suited to the rigorous demands of race car drivers. An easy-to-read dial, a shock-resistant and waterproof casing, these were just some of the additional features of that first Carrera watch, hailed by drivers all over the world, who recognized with reverence and respect the legendary nature of this open road endurance competition. With the advent of the watch, Heuer had brought back to the spotlight this most grueling of races (stopped in 1955 on account of the number of fatalities).

In the 1970s the Tag brand solidified its connection to motorcar racing, as every member of the fabled Ferrari “scuderia” received a solid gold Carrera engraved with his name and blood type. These included such names as Jackie Icxx, Clay Regazzoni, Mario Andretti, Carlos Reutemann and Jody Scheckter — all luminaries in the world and history that is Ferrari. The Carrera Chronomatic Calibre II and the quartz editions were just some of the ways in which the Carrera watch evolved through the decades.

Fast forward 50 years and the Bangkok event saw the Asian unveiling of the 2013 Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Collection; so named on account of how this brand new chronograph houses one of Tag’s signature technical achievements — Edouard Heuer’s oscillating pinion, as created in the late 19th century. Patented by Edouard in 1887, this pinion works like a car clutch, coordinating the start, stop and return-to-zero functions of the chronograph hand. The Collection boasts of five models, all great acquisitions! There’s the Jack Heuer Edition, with a 45mm case diameter, there’s the one with a Ceramic Bezel (43mm), and there’s a sexy, black Racing Chronograph (43mm). The other two models are the 41mm Chronograph  with an uncluttered blue dial, and the Heritage Chronograph.

Held at one of the ritzier nightspots/clubs of Bangkok’s night scene, the event was a heady tribute to the 50 years of Carrera’s existence as a motoring watch legend. The ‘60s- and ‘70s-inspired music blared from the sound system, and a speed painter who wowed the crowd was one of the night’s highlights. Less impressive, but just as eye-popping were the dance steps the Tag regional heads and Thai distributors were “coerced” to showcase. No high marks for hidden terpsichorean talent, but 10 out of 10 for being game and showing we were all out to have a great time... Chronograph time!

Flag-waving in the air

My flight to Bangkok for the Tag Heuer event was on Philippine Airlines. While I have to admit that through the years there have been instances when I would be filled with trepidation upon being informed that I would be flying PAL, I have to proudly say that both my flights to Bangkok and back to Manila, two days later, were with real joys. We actually got to our destinations a little ahead of schedule, and this despite the slight delay when we were leaving for Bangkok, on account of passengers who had checked in but failed to board on time. The ground crew and the flight crew were super efficient without being omnipresent or irritating.

One of the media people who was part of the party had opted to place her blinders on right after take-off and try to get some shut-eye. When lunch was served, she wasn’t disturbed; and yet, the moment she did awaken, it wasn’t more than two minutes before the stewardess was inquiring if she wanted her hot meal served.

The beef tenderloin dish I opted for was cooked medium rare as I requested; and there were interesting ways in which the dish had stuff added to it — the asparagus spears, the mushrooms and the potato soufflé. The selection of bread was impressive; and as I’m the type who likes my table cleared as soon as I’m done, am happy to report that the crew were very accommodating on this regard.

A PAL flight to Singapore back in late March was also a rewarding experience, and so that’s two times lucky each time I left the country and took our flag carrier. On that Singapore flight, I spent some time talking to the crew, and it was nice to hear how, with the change in ownership and management, there was a newfound enthusiasm and hope that things would dramatically improve, that a renewed “esprit de corps” could blossom.

I fervently hope this does come about and is sustained. For too long now I’ve read and experienced how seasoned travellers would wax rhapsodic about the service they would enjoy on Singapore Airlines or Thai Airways. Cathay Pacific similarly enjoys a reputation most airlines would envy. And I’m old enough to have seen PAL up close since the early 1970s — from the days of the sky-bed, to the jokes about PAL meaning Plane Always Late; and whether we like it or not, it is a facet of the “face” we project to people all over the world. So it’s always been a frustration that it’s had so many ups and downs — that even when service could be considered consistent or at par with other airlines, we’d get the rap on account of aircraft servicing and maintenance, or the disrupted flight schedules. It’s so great to be able to look anyone in the eye, and say proudly that flying on PAL was a great experience. Long may it stay that way!