The Art of Nature

Sense of Time

Master of the keyboard: Frédéric Arnault is CEO of TAG Heuer and a concert pianist. The company’s own museum has been showcasing history since 1860.

On the pulse of time: The moment when the movement of a handmade watch is first put into motion is like a new heartbeat for the CEO. The beginning of a new life. In the photo, a TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche.

The paths of Porsche and TAG Heuer have been crossing for over half a century. A shared culture connects the companies. CEO Frédéric Arnault transfers values into the present and future.

By Elmar BRÜMMER Photos by Tom ZIORA, PORSCHE

Opportunities to pause his inner clock have become rare for Frédéric Arnault. In July 2020, he took over the management of the exclusive watch manufacturer TAG Heuer. Now that the Swiss Jura mountains have long disappeared into the darkness, a chance arises. The CEO considers whether in his industry there is a milestone that can be compared to the construction of cars. When the bodywork and motor are combined there is a wedding-like celebration. Arnault defines the equivalent moment in his workshops: it is when the watch movement is set into motion for the first time: “For me it’s as if a heart starts to beat.”

To engage with time may be his daily task. But it is never humdrum. Frédéric Arnault belongs to a new generation of managers; for him, ambition and empathy are not mutually exclusive. He is familiar with all the studies that reveal how often people, on average, look at the dial of a watch. He can’t count how many times he does it. In his life, watches have been omnipresent since his father gave him his first watch on his eleventh birthday – a TAG Heuer.

Looking into the department responsible for development, known as Institute, Frédéric Arnault points fascinatedly at the nanomicroscope that is used there. It is not difficult to recognize his passion for precision and progress in the way he operates at the top of the company. Time cannot be reinvented, but watches can. However, if your business model is based on classics, you must tread carefully with regard to evolution in order to gain new customers without losing existing relationships. Frédéric Arnault puts it like this: “We are concerned with ten-thousandths of a second but must at the same time think long term. I live in the present, think of the future, and make trips into the past.”

A blue suit, white sneakers, no tie. Present with every fiber of his body, in constant rhythm just like the balance of a watch movement. The graduate of the École polytechnique in Paris started his career in the strategy and digital department of TAG. His task was to resolve a Kulturkampf in a way that would benefit the brand. Can and may a company that stands for mechanical masterpieces increasingly offer digital timepieces? For Arnault it was not a question of being able to or being allowed to, but rather of wanting to and having to. He is persuasive in his own quiet way: “I had to bring the cultures together and prevent a split. Now there are two lines, which join to form a circle.” He has set something large in motion. Today, he is able to say that many customers own a chronograph and also a smart watch. Courage belongs to his business principle; presumption

Passion and technology merge.

Maximum precision: The watchmakers of the company that was founded by Edouard Heuer need a steady hand and the best optical tools.

Traditional values, the most modern technology: Watches from the workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland last for generations.

is not in his nature. In the meantime, digital watches make up 15 percent of turnover; the direct online business has grown by 250 percent under his management. Connected Watches unite generations of watch connoisseurs. A transformation on the wrist.

Pioneering deeds lie in the history of the company that Edouard Heuer founded in 1860 in Saint-Imier. Heuer was a personality like Ferdinand Porsche – with an inventive spirit and full of business ideas. Over half a century ago, his great-grandson Jack Heuer discovered motorsport as a marketing stage. A connection to Porsche came about quickly; the watches initially played a role in Steve McQueen’s epic film Le Mans. Similarly to Porsche at that time with the construction of a Formula 1 turbo motor, Heuer got together with the TAG concern. Today, TAG Heuer is a Porsche partner in Formula E. “Even sport must become more sustainable,” says Arnault. “It is about more than pure speed.” Porsche was his logical ideal partner for the further engagement in the elite sport. “We are connected by the same technical sophistication,” he says and refers to a double anniversary that is coming up in 2023: “Porsche will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 911, and our Carrera watch will be exactly the same age.”

Classic sports cars enthrall him with the strength of their movement and their elegant lines. But the racing sport didn’t really catch hold of Arnault’s competitive spirit until he visited the 24 Hours of Le Mans: “To see behind the scenes just how much effort, perfectionism, and preparation are necessary for this race, and how the team works together – all of this reminded me so much of the interior of a watch.” To merge passion and technology is just what he loves.

And it helps to be well-balanced yourself. Frédéric Arnault is a gifted concert pianist and has performed on stage with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Sports like kitesurfing form an inspiring contrast. Such different activities act like meditation for him. He is the personification of the watches, which appeal, above all, to individualists: “If I imagine our brand as a character, then it would be young at heart, elegant, and adventurous all at once.”

In the rather shy actor Ryan Gosling, he has found an ideal ambassador, alongside the race car driver Patrick Dempsey. Arnault and Gosling have both had to deal extensively with the nature of time. Their dialogue led to an acknowledgement that serves both of them as a piece of philosophy for life: “I have learnt not to take time for granted. What drives me on is to know that the clock is ticking.” ●

Chasing Time

The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team is entering two Porsche 99X Electric models in the world championship. The premium manufacturers announced their long-term alliance in February 2021.

A Future Born of Courage

It all begins with courage: just before the turn of the century, the name Porsche is almost synonymous with the three numbers 911 and has no associations with the three letters SUV. But then the sports car and four-door come together to create a match made in heaven, and production of the Cayenne at the new Leipzig location heralds a new era. And now the high-tech plant is celebrating its 20th anniversary – in a visionary city with many facets, such as the Disinfotainment exhibition of celebrity artist Norbert Bisky.

World-class performance:

An exclusive detailed look at leading production technology. International star: With Norbert Bisky at his Disinfotainment exhibition in Leipzig. World champion: With Walter Röhrl on and off the track on the occasion of his 75th birthday. Comic: Safari in Leipzig – a dose of pure nature.

Diverse production: In one of the world’s most cutting-edge assembly halls, all of the models pass through the same production line: Porsche Macan and Panamera, vehicles with internal combustion engines and hybrid powertrains, and soon even all-electric cars. That’s how many Macan and Panamera models are manufactured at the Leipzig plant every day. The majority of the vehicles are left-hand drive models. The global supply comes directly from the location with rail access.

Work is carried out in shifts 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. The production lines usually do not operate on weekends. Sports seats are one of the most popular options customers choose and can be found in nearly one-fifth of all vehicles. Across multiple locations: The Group manufactures the Macan and Panamera engines and delivers them to Leipzig. This picture shows engine preassembly and the upgraded chassis.

High quality standards: Vehicles are randomly selected and put through their paces in daily audits. Special lighting reveals every detail. The Porsche plant in Leipzig uses special state-of-the-art robots, which simplify work for the employees. The components in the Panamera’s body are joined using mechanical and thermal processes. This picture shows an employee inspecting welds.

The Diamond of Leipzig

By Heike HIENTZSCH Photos by Benjamin Antony MONN, PORSCHE

Extending 105 feet into the air, the structure resembles an air traffic control tower from afar. But for most people, the conical shape is reminiscent of a cut diamond, which is how the Porsche plant’s iconic landmark got its nickname. And it’s a good fit, as the diamond embodies a remarkable success story. It only took two years to get from the initial construction work in 2000 to the production launch for the Porsche Cayenne. Built at full speed, the Leipzig plant was quite a risky move for the company, but the architecture is a testimony of courage rather than fear.

At the same time as the first SUV, production on the Carrera GT super sports car kicks off here in 2003, with 1,270 vehicles manufactured by hand. And the immediate success of the Cayenne as an especially sporty off-road vehicle makes it necessary to expand the plant for the first time in 2004, the first expansion of five. The Panamera and Macan models lead to subsequent expansions, and hybridization and the fully electric drive also enter the scene. New models are continuously integrated into ongoing processes. “We have always included Leipzig in our strategic thinking and development plans,” says Albrecht Reimold, member of the Porsche Executive Board for Production and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche Leipzig GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche AG. “More electric models are planned here in the future.”

One team, one line, three drives – this motto is visible just about everywhere in the enormous assembly halls. On shirts, stickers, and information boards. Solidarity soars, with minimal staff turnover. Today, more than 550 vehicles a day are produced in Leipzig by 4,300 people. “Our success is primarily down to our highly qualified and motivated team,” says Gerd Rupp who, as Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche Leipzig GmbH, manages the plant. A thousand state-of-the-art robots support the employees, taking over unpleasant manual work on their behalf.

One highlight is the 321 module, the fully automated “marriage,” which is when the body and the chassis with powertrain tie the knot. The fact that everything that belongs together always ends up together is all down to sophisticated logistics. Driverless transport vehicles glide along induction loops and deliver what’s needed. These little helpers are extremely robust and uncompromisingly punctual and boast famous Porsche racing designs developed with love.

Once it leaves the body shop, the paint shop, and assembly, each and every car is driven on the company’s own test track. “Every customer who picks up their car in person is also given a demonstration on the track,” explains Rupp. “Not in their brand-new car, of course, but in the same model.” Up to 2,800 customers take advantage of this experience every year.

The diamond forms a backdrop to the 2.3-mile racecourse, which was designed by Formula 1 circuit architect Hermann Tilke. The 39-foot-wide course with six straights that allow full-throttle bursts of acceleration and six braking points fulfills the requirements of professional motorsport activities and is certified by Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). It also features a 1.4-mile-long dynamic circuit with surfaces that can be watered for handling and braking exercises.

When construction began on the plant, there was no infrastructure, but there was plenty of space for Porsche to develop. Throughout history, different worlds have collided on the 326-acre off-road terrain. Now the site of constructive growth, this land was once used for destruction. From the German Empire to 1999, the space was used by alternating regimes for military purposes. Today’s 3.7-mile-long off-road track even incorporates former bunkers. The circuit offers 15 modules, including a 328-foot-long water stretch and an extreme ramp with a gradient of 80 percent. The unique terrain transforms vehicle pickup at the plant into an unforgettable event, while the Porsche Experience Center – once a mere customer center – offers ambitious

High-tech marriage: The body, engine, and chassis are joined in a fully automatic process.

Harmonious promotion of culture: Porsche and the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester have been working together since 2011.

sporty drivers from around the world emotional experiences behind the wheel. Plant tours and first-class cuisine are now also available for visitors who just happen to stop by.

“Fred is entirely indifferent to all of that,” says Rupp smiling. Standing in a pasture in front of the plant, the boss is looking directly at an aurochs, one of 75 that Porsche settled there. Fred feels right at home on the land, which has been carefully restored to its natural state. There are also 25 Exmoor ponies free to roam, three million honeybees, and countless wild animals. “We’re taking responsibility for the environment – inside the plant facilities and beyond,” emphasizes Rupp. While birds, deer, and badgers are enjoying a new home in the picturesque wetlands, production is practicing sustainability with efficient use of raw materials, products, and manufacturing resources as well as process optimization.

The plant has received a great many awards, including numerous prizes for its environmental protection, biodiversity, energy life cycle assessment, and use of resources. For example, it received the Lean & Green Management Award in 2021, selected from among the 250 plants from more than ten countries and 20 industrial sectors that had applied.

The Leipzig production facility is powered entirely with electricity from renewable sources. Its own photovoltaic systems alone deliver up to 5,000 megawatt hours each year. A carbon-neutral biomass plant installed directly on-site covers 80 percent of the paint shop’s heat requirements. The entire plant is already carbon-neutral on balance and should soon be classified a Zero Impact Factory, which is a production facility without a carbon footprint.

“I’m especially proud of our training center,” says Rupp, changing the subject. “It’s wonderful to see young people preparing for the future here.” Measuring 17,222 square feet in size, the expansion opened its doors in time for the 2021/2022 training year. Professional training on-site has grown too over the past two decades – from five trainees at the grand opening to the 120 beginners today. They come to stay, due in part to the philosophy that lifelong learning is key to success. Trained specialists regularly return to the training center for additional training.

Working for Porsche is viewed as prestigious in Leipzig. The company provides jobs and attracts tourists from all over the world to the exhibition city with its selection of experiences. The sports car manufacturer supports the famous Gewandhausorchester in Leipzig as well as benefit concerts and creates cultural events for everyone to enjoy. This year’s cultural program included Wagner 22, an opera festival honoring composer Richard Wagner, who was born in Leipzig. In terms of sports, Porsche is continuing its yearslong Turbo für Talente youth initiative with RB Leipzig, the 1. Bundesliga soccer club. “When it comes to education, we tend to support socially disadvantaged children, youth, and students with training programs at the plant and with university scholarships,” explains Gerd Rupp. The company has also maintained its own management endowment chair at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management since 2013. “We’ve established ourselves here,” says the plant manager. “We receive a lot, but also give a lot back to the location.” ●

“Our success is primarily down to our team.”

All works of Norbert Bisky are subject to © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022; courtesy of Norbert Bisky and KÖNIG GALERIE.

“Emotions Are My Work Materials”

Pascal

200 × 150 cm Oil on canvas, 2020

Pascal is not only a name, but also represents a unit of pressure. Norbert Bisky’s Pascal symbolizes the power that builds when internal tension is released. He questions how the flood of imagery on media and aggressive online communication methods influence and overwhelm individuals. Though he long resisted becoming one in the first place, Norbert Bisky is one of the most important artists of our time. We catch up with the painter at his first solo exhibition at a location in Leipzig without any memories.

By Dirk BÖTTCHER Photos by Anatol KOTTE

Ablond boy with tanned skin and a look of shock on his face. The landscape is barren, with individual trees in the background. A scene in watercolors: light green with lots of pink, white, and light. Nothing that could be classified as scary, if it weren’t for the line of men in uniform. The boy is looking into the barrels of four revolvers, surrounded by an idyllic landscape. Ich war’s nicht is the title of the picture painted by Norbert Bisky in 2003. 18 years later, the work of art is now on display in Leipzig. Bisky is showing his first solo exhibition in the city of his childhood, at the G2 gallery located in the former East German publicly owned data processing center.

Looking much like an oversized server, the bulky concrete behemoth of a building is located in the heart of the city, just opposite St. Thomas Church and the former headquarters of the Ministry for State Security, East Germany’s infamous secret service, which is where the data from the data center would have been used. But before they could power up the server racks delivered in 1989, East Germany collapsed.

Once home to the servers, the building now houses Bisky’s paintings in bright colors. The painter stands smiling in the gallery, wearing a blue quilted jacket with fur collar and sneakers that boast red laces and are as colorful as his paintings. He actually had one of his pictures printed on the shoes, an idea developed by the painter in collaboration with a shoemaker and his curator. 250 pairs of them will soon be available for purchase. Artist merchandising and commerce – Bisky waves his hand: “It’s just a nice idea and an unbelievably comfortable shoe.” Then he turns his attention to the white rooms of the gallery, taking us on a tour of his works.

The Disinfotainment exhibition is an autobiographical journey, his life story on canvas, highlighting his artistic development, from delicate, sensitive watercolors depicting attractive people to monumental, dramatic worlds of images inspired by the present day. Bisky says he sometimes views his paintings as a sort of message in a bottle that people will find in a few decades, deciphering the messages it contains.

The piece Ich war’s nicht comes from a time when Bisky was processing his experiences in East Germany. He later says that the government robbed him of his youth. Norbert grew up the son of Lothar Bisky, the well-known left-wing politician and former President of the Film University Babelsberg. His brother Jens is a book author and journalist.

What comes next

150 × 120 cm · Oil on canvas on mirror, 2021

Selfie

For his most recent creations, Bisky cuts up painted canvases and reorganizes them on mirror surfaces, leaving space for a self-portrait of the observer.

Function

Bisky says that artists were always treated with high esteem in his parents’ home.

At the beginning of his career, some critics accused him of glorifying a dictatorship with his bright colors and beautiful young men, while others suggested associations with Leni Riefenstahl, who was involved in the production of Nazi propaganda. Bisky felt misunderstood not only in terms of his life in East Germany, but also the way in which he processed it. With a lifelong spirit of defiance, he continued painting. He browsed through newspapers and old textbooks “that had been disposed of by the thousands at schools and other institutions, but had also shaped people’s minds for decades.” He turned his attention to the things that were no longer useful to anyone. Deprived of their significance, they revealed details that no one had given much thought to, let alone dared to question. “Why did the uniforms of the People’s Police in East Germany look so much like those of the armed forces?” asks Bisky. East Germany had simply adopted the fashions of the former dictatorship – the uniforms of the fascists, just with the seams adjusted. Bisky talks about a “distressing aesthetic continuity.”

Paint. Dry. Package.

For Bisky, his paintings are much like distant relatives. He rarely ever sees them once they leave his studio in the Berlin district of Friedrichshain. His artistic approach is: Paint. Dry. Package. “Then I turn my attention to the next painting.” He needs time and lots of Spanish coffee to work. “I sit in front of my paintings, walk around, and have to wait until they reveal what they want from me.” He’s always working on multiple paintings at the same time. As one is drying, he mixes the paints for the next picture.

Everything that’s finished has already been sold long ago and is then picked up. Norbert Bisky is a successful artist, which he refers to as “a dream come true.” It doesn’t bother him that people are willing to spend a great deal of money on his art. It doesn’t have any sort of effect on his work. “Buying art is never a bad thing,” he says. He thinks much the same about projects dedicated to promoting

Dies Irae

300 × 750 cm · Oil on canvas, three parts, 2016

Bisky’s mother was diagnosed with cancer when he was painting this picture. According to the artist, the piece represents that feeling when life pushes you around. The people on the canvas are falling. There’s no stability, no solid ground, and no right angles.