Oris renews partnership with Williams
Williams F1 today confirmed that Oris SA of Switzerland, the premium timepiece maker, has renewed its sponsorship of the team for a fifth consecutive season. The news follows several announcements recently confirmed by Williams F1 which demonstrate a continued faith in the team’s ability to deliver both a successful sponsorship programme and an improved track performance in 2007.
Oris’ association with Williams F1 started in 2003 as the team’s official watch supplier. With the intention of broadening their influence in new markets, the Swiss company produced a series of Formula One inspired timepieces, with the strap designs mirroring that of a Formula One tyre’s vertical tread. The Limited Edition WilliamsF1 Team Chronograph proved to be its best selling watch in the programme’s first year, prompting Oris to upgrade its sponsorship. A further extension in 2006 saw Oris’ branding move from the cars’ rear wing end plates to the front wing end plates and on to the drivers’ overalls as well as on the pit stop crew’s clothing. Both race drivers also acted as ambassadors for the brand.
Next season, the partnership’s fifth year of collaboration, will see the Oris name be added on to the drivers’ gloves in addition to the traditional 2006 locations. Alex Wurz will join Nico Rosberg in an ambassadorial role for the brand.
On the extended relationship, Ulrich Herzog, Chairman and CEO of Oris SA, Switzerland, commented, “I am confident that, based on the major realignment within Williams F1, the team will in future be much more in a position to deliver strong results on the race track and thus give Oris positive brand exposure within the powerful environment that is Formula One.”
Frank Williams, Team Principal of the AT&T Williams Team, said, “I am pleased to confirm that, following a mutually successful four year partnership, Oris have extended their relationship with the team for a further season. This announcemen indicates a clear commitment from a long serving partner and it is our intention to repay that support on the race track.”
