WilliamsF1 confirmed today that Oris SA of Switzerland, the premium timepiece maker, has again renewed its sponsorship engagement with the team to take the partnership into the long term.

Oris initially joined Williams’ sponsor community in 2003 as the team’s official watch partner. Intending to bring its long established and unique timepieces to the attention of new markets and consumers, the Swiss-based company developed a collection of Formula One inspired watches, including the Limited Edition WilliamsF1 Team Chronograph, with its strap design mirroring that of an F1 tyre’s vertical tread. This proved to be its most successful and best selling watch of 2003.

Having achieved such results from its partnership, Oris upgraded its sponsorship at the start of 2005, while today’s extended contract is a clear indication of the mutual benefits the sponsorship brings. The partnership’s shared synergies of precision mechanical engineering and the importance of split second timing will now continue to provide the basis for the fourth year of association.

The forthcoming season will see the Oris branding make a departure from its traditional location on the car’s rear wing endplates as it is re-positioned to the WilliamsF1 FW28’s front wing endplates as well as the drivers’ and pit-crews’ fire suits. The team’s race drivers, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg, will also fulfil an ambassadorial role for the brand as Oris produce two new Limited Edition driver chronographs.

Following Oris’ decision to broaden its relationship with Williams, Ulrich Herzog, Chairman and CEO of Oris SA, Switzerland, commented, “We have enjoyed a definite strengthening of brand awareness and image since we became an on-car sponsor of the WilliamsF1 Team. We trust that with the team’s strong efforts to be one of the top teams in 2006, and with the new position of the Oris logo on the front wing endplates, we will experience a further boost to our image and our sales.”

Frank Williams, Team Principal of the WiliamsF1 Team, confirmed, “This announcement follows a long line of new sponsorship and renewal confirmations for the team. Oris have been a long standing partner so I’m delighted that they are achieving such positive results through the relationship and are continuing their support of the team.”