ORIGINS

When carrying out a very high level sports events, timing has to satisfy the requirements
of the International Sports Federations, making sure that the contests are perfectly
organised whilst satisfying the legitimate need for precision and reliability.

The Swiss watch companies, mainly LONGINES & OMEGA, who had been involved in
timing sport for more than a century, quickly realised that by joining forces
they would be able to rationalise quality in this area. This would contribute to maintaining the leading position which they had established in the world of sport, with resulting benefits for their own image and that of Switzerland.

In view of the way sport, technology, and the media had developed, LONGINES & OMEGA had to cope alone with the explosion in costs caused by the spectacular increase in the technical requirements established by the event organisers and of the Olympic Games in particular.
The cost was considered too heavy and the brands decided, after the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, to withdraw their respective candidatures in the race for the title of "Official Timekeeper" of the Games.
In addition, the Olympic rules were against any form of advertising identifying those responsible for timing. The brands therefore had little hope of receiving anything in return for their investment.

FOUNDATION

The Federation of Swiss Watch Manufacturers was conscious of what was at stake and took the initiative to set up a new company. OMEGA & LONGINES pooled their human, technical and financial resources to cover major events at the same time as continuing to time other events under their own names. In a spirit of solidarity for this prestige operation, other Swiss companies also took part in financing the future "Société Suisse de Chronométrage Sportif S.A."

SWISS TIMING was founded on 3rd July 1972. With a sense of relief, Switzerland could again rely on its ambassadors to promote its image of precision, reliability and confidence world wide.

DEVELOPMENT

Since then, SWISS TIMING has regularly timed the Olympic Games: Innsbruck & Montreal in 1976, Lake Placid & Moscow in 1980, Sarajevo & Los Angeles in 1984, Calgary & Seoul in 1988, Albertville in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. Torino 2006, Beijing 2008 and Vancouver 2010 have also been appointed to Swiss Timing.
The list of events timed by SWISS TIMING grows steadily longer in a market in which there is strong competition. The prestige surrounding the Olympic Games leads the organisers to raise their technical standards each time. To satisfy the requirements set out in the specifications, candidates have to invest enormous sums in new technology and maintain a team of highly qualified technicians.

As a result SWISS TIMING has an organisation which enables it to rise to the challenge of each Olympic Games and to merit its reputation as a privileged partner for sport.
In concrete terms, SWISS TIMING maintains close contact with the International Sports Federations, takes part in their assemblies and times their world championships. This close contact fosters dialogue and confidence.

Being in close touch with sport, SWISS TIMING applies and sometimes proposes new technical solutions for measuring, analysing and transmitting results. Its responsibility is fully involved and is even greater when there is live television coverage of an event. In this case, SWISS TIMING works closely with the world's different television companies, since the information it supplies makes the picture more interesting, to the benefit of both parties.

STRUCTURE

SWISS TIMING, an affiliate company of The Swatch Group, the largest watch group in the world in terms of gross sales, employs some 70 people at its headquarters at Corgémont.
In the sports market, its specialists are called upon to negotiate and conclude timing contracts on behalf of all the brands of the Swatch Group. Whilst historically the exclusivity of LONGINES & OMEGA, timing has then been extended to other companies, in particular TISSOT, RADO, SWATCH, and CERTINA.
In carrying out the assignments entrusted by the watch brands, SWISS TIMING takes an active part in the realisation of their communication policies. This assistance gives the brands the status of privileged companies whose contribution is essential for the success of a sports event and at the same time distinguishes them from the host of traditional sponsors.