By Gordon Henderson
Danica Patrick in front of the new Tissot Fifth Avenue boutique.
Well, it’s official. Tissot has opened its first boutique in the United States – right smack on New York’s prestigious Fifth Avenue. To celebrate, Tissot in partnership with Road & Track magazine, hosted a consumer meet-and-greet with NASCAR auto star and brand ambassador Danica Patrick, who has collaborated with Tissot on special Tissot limited edition T-Race Danica Patrick watches. Here, she shares some thoughts in an exclusive Q&A with ATimelyPerspective on time and Tissot – and even comments on NYC taxis and her love of diamonds.
Q: Let’s start with racing. How do you stay focused for an eight-hour race?
DP: “Practice and it doesn’t happen overnight. It started with 10 laps in go-carts and built to 20 then 30, and then on to the professional circuit with more grueling challenges. From there my endurance has grown to the point where I can compete over a 3.5 to 5 hour race with tough racers competitors all around me. It’s all about hard work, technique and having the right team and equipment.”
Danica Patrick and US brand manager of Tissot, Sharon Buntain.
Q: I am a big martial artist and can appreciate a tough training schedule. Can you tell us a little about your training schedule?
DP: “First and for most, you have to have fun with it. Being a girl I’ve learned how to make things work. I used to run a lot and lift weights, but now it’s all cross fit. It’s what works for me. It’s challenging. You compete against others as well as yourself. It’s great!”
Tissot T-Race Danica Patrick 2014
Q: I live in Brooklyn and feel as though there is some of the toughest driving in an urban environment you will find. Between taxis in the city and gypsy cabs in the surrounding boroughs, what tips do you have for the non-professional racer to beat other drivers to the next red light?
DP: “Ha! Don’t look in the rear view mirror. Stay focused on your goals and keep looking forward.”
Danica Patrick with ATimelyPerspective contributor, Gordon Henderson.
Q: Most everyone is pretty familiar with the story but for those that are not, how did you first get into racing?
DP: “It started with go carts when I was ten and racing my sister for fun. I got hooked and really stuck with it. The rest is history.”
Q: Why the switch to NASCAR from Indy racing?
DP: “I wanted the change and a new challenge. I really grew to love oval racing and the competition. Indy racing is really you against yourself and there isn’t that much passing, but in stock car racing, because of the oval there is way more passing, and I love the competitive aspect of that.“
Inside the Tissot Boutique.
Q: Tell me about the partnership with Tissot?
DP: “I’ve been working with Tissot for about 10 years, since ’05. It’s a partnership unlike any other and I am able to express myself as a woman. Tissot knows my style. I like to be girly and Tissot has really captured that. I love diamonds and you’ll see the diamond accents. Also the white band and my logo on the back of the watch. “
Q: Did you have any design input?
DP: “Yes. Like I said before, Tissot knows my style. I like something that can be both sporty and dressy. It’s large but not too big; and did I say I love diamonds?”
