Patrick Dempsey not only goes full throttle on the big screen, but also on the race track. Enthusiasm is contagious – and so Dempsey is just the right person to talk about the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche as a speed fanatic and ambassador for TAG Heuer.
FACES: You have been involved in motorsport for many years. What drives you to risk your life again and again on the race track?
Patrick Dempsey: To be honest, I don’t think too much about that. I am of course aware of the dangers, but racing also helps me to slow down mentally. This complete concentration and focus is what I like so much. You could almost say that driving fast calms me down.
FACES: Yet you took a break in 2015, right?
Patrick Dempsey: Yes, I did. At that time, I had achieved all my goals and decided to invest more time in my family again and be there for my children. They grow, get older and no longer need us as parents as much as they used to. So they do their own thing – just like I do. Racing is good for my soul and for my head – it just makes me happy. Of course, the sport keeps me in shape, but I also love the camaraderie, the teamwork and the thrill of competition.
Patrick and extreme sports
FACES: Do you do any other extreme sports?
Patrick Dempsey: The question is how you define extreme. (laughs) I ski, if you also count that as an extreme sport. Apart from that, I’m well occupied with racing.
FACES: I believe that! After all, you also drove in the 24-hour race at Le Mans – and not for the first time. How did you prepare for this?
Patrick Dempsey: I’ve actually had the opportunity to race at Le Mans four times. I’ve already done so many races that I can’t even count them all. In 2004 and 2005, when I started racing, one of my biggest goals was to get to Le Mans. And I did it!
Once on the podium at Le Mans
FACES: How did you visualize your goal?
Patrick Dempsey: My goal was to finish on the podium at Le Mans. When I was at Le Mans for the first time in 2006, I walked along the empty race track and pit lane after the first practice session and headed for the podium. And then I said to myself: you have to go there! I then raced at Le Mans for the first time in 2009 before having to sit out for a few years. From 2013, I was back on board and actually worked my way from the bottom to the top of the Porsche garage.
FACES: Do you remember what went through your mind your first time on the track?
Patrick Dempsey: Before I got into the car, everyone asked me, “Are you scared? Are you nervous? But there was no reason for this assumption. I felt comfortable because I wasn’t emotionally overwhelmed, I was just ready to do this race.
Always full throttle and full speed ahead!
FACES: It almost seems like you’re a speed junkie! Does that also apply to your private life?
Patrick Dempsey: I approach life differently today than I did a few years ago. While I was in Rome for work, I was reading up on Roman history and accidentally discovered Marcus Aurelius while meditating. I was immediately impressed by this kind of stoicism and philosophy, and meditation has been part of my morning ritual ever since. It doesn’t even take more than two or three minutes to focus on yourself, calm down and come to your senses. Incidentally, this also helped me on the course to better understand my own emotions and control my breathing. As I travel a lot, I find it difficult to stick to a training plan and train at the level I would like to. But meditation has made me much more relaxed about it.
The history of Dempsey Racing
FACES: In fact, you started your own racing team, Dempsey Racing!
Patrick Dempsey: Well, that’s not quite true, I bought a team that was about to go bankrupt. (laughs) After I bought it, I slowly realized why it went bankrupt. But that was part of the game, because I wanted to have my own team over which I had control and in which I could determine the dynamics. As a result, I now have much more respect for such owners, as I have learned what it means to lead.
FACES: What concept are you pursuing with Dempsey Racing?
Patrick Dempsey: Spending my money on it. (laughs) No, joking aside. For me, it’s simply about racing and indulging my passion.
Luxury has several faces
FACES: Luxury can be a Porsche, a watch from TAG Heuer or the opportunity to participate in motor sports. How do you define luxury for yourself?
Patrick Dempsey: In my opinion, everything revolves around the production and origin of an object. I like things that are handmade and made from good, durable materials. I follow the principle of buying something more expensive so that I don’t have to buy five or six of them, but just one that will give me pleasure for as long as possible. For me, luxury means buying something that has been made with care. I recently went to Brunello Cucinelli’s birthday party. He is a remarkable man, a great entrepreneur and a great humanitarian. For him and his label, luxury is reflected in the craftsmanship, sustainability and the way he treats his employees.
FACES: And his fashion is great, of course!
Patrick Dempsey: It’s remarkable that he founded his company in the village where he grew up. The principles are also what convince me of a label – this also applies to TAG Heuer and LVMH, with whom I am currently working very closely. Modesty, self-confidence and empathy are values that I look for in a brand.
The collaboration with TAG Heuer and Porsche
FACES: Were these values the deciding factor in working with TAG Heuer and Porsche?
Patrick Dempsey: I like being creative, I love designing things and I’m really into architecture. Of course, I didn’t say no to designing two sunglasses frames for Porsche Design. Such processes are what I am passionate about. I am also very interested and fascinated by watchmaking. I get goosebumps when I imagine how much energy, care, love and time went into this object.
FACES: How important is a wristwatch to you, and what role does it play for you during your race?
Patrick Dempsey: I recently wore the new TAG Heuer Monza during my test on the track. This was very important for me as I could see how far into the race I was and how much time I had left. Of course, it’s also a visually attractive accessory, but for me a watch like this is always something of an icebreaker. It’s like driving a classic car: People look at your wrist, are happy and then you have a common topic of conversation.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosrpint x Porsche
FACES: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche watch model is the result of a collaboration between TAG Heuer and Porsche to mark the 60th anniversary of the Porsche Carrera. Birthday of the 911 and the 60th anniversary of the 911. Anniversary of the Carrera from TAG Heuer. To what extent does this timepiece represent motorsport?
Patrick Dempsey: Motorsport is part of his DNA: Jack Heuer discovered his passion for timekeeping in rally races. He constantly improved them because he wanted more clarity in his own measurements. One of the first cars he ever bought was a Porsche 911. I think it was even one of the first models.
FACES: It is not only the look of the two steel and gold models that is unique, but also the new movement. What can you tell us about it?
Patrick Dempsey: The new movement is an absolute revolution and super cool. The principle is the same as that of the Porsche 911, which made it from 0 to 60 kilometers per hour in just 9.1 seconds. The movement in the watch works in the same way: it accelerates up to 60 seconds and then slows down.
FACES: Where else can you find this inspiration of the Porsche 911 in the watch?
Patrick Dempsey: On the bracelet, even if it’s very subtle. There is this one print on which the numbers 911 can be read.
TAG Heuer
Carrera, Chronosprint, x Porsche
Put away the cake and give me the watch! TAG Heuer and Porsche are presenting each other with a joint limited edition to mark their respective anniversaries – 60 years of the TAG Heuer Carrera Collection and 60 years of the Porsche 911. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche is available as a pure steel or gold version and combines motorsport and watchmaking craftsmanship. After all, it was the Carrera Panamericana car race that inspired Jack Heuer to create the Carrera model back in 1963. In particular, the new watch features the TH20-08 automatic caliber, which was presented for the first time at the Watches & Wonders trade fair in spring.
More information about TAG Heuer can be found here.
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Teaser photos & photos: © TAG Heuer
