Shaping the Game: See the New NBA Shot Clock by Tissot
Tissot x SHARP
There’s good reason why the NBA’s shot clock is historically referred to as “the heartbeat of the game.” When the league originally implemented the shot clock in 1954, it was done as a means of bolstering the tempo of a sport that was operating at — for all intents and purposes — a near-comatose state. Without a 24-second shot clock, leading offences had little motive to score. Instead, they relied on stalling tactics to maintain leads. Sure, it might have been effective in the short-term perspective of winning games, but the glacial pace sent the league’s ticket sales into a tailspin. Then, along came the shot clock to resuscitate the heartbeat of basketball. Now, decades later, Tissot — the official timekeeper of the NBA — is continuing to innovate the symbol of modern basketball and redefine how the game is experienced.
Just as today’s NBA has steadily evolved since the league’s inception, so has the Tissot Shot Clock. For the first time in the game’s storied history, the shot clock now takes on a round design grounded in the Swiss brand’s watchmaking expertise and advanced engineering. Developed by Tissot in collaboration with the NBA, the new model is sleeker and more modern than ever before, and pairs contemporary design with cutting-edge functionality.
To further set the new model apart from its iconic predecessor, Tissot integrated a green “coach challenge” display — another relatively recent and vital addition to the league — and the full RGB LED light strips, allowing each arena to express its identity through light and colour. In terms of performance (for those operating at the scorer’s table, where the pressure is only barely topped by those on the court), the user interface has been improved for smoother, more intuitive operation, enhancing both the speed and precision of the staff who diligently manage the system during games. More than a technical upgrade, the new design offers a fresh visual rhythm for a sport so critically defined by its constant flow and tempo.
But as long-time partners of the league, Tissot made sure to pay tribute to the time-honoured shot clock through a love letter to the game’s most vital accessory. With 24 hours to go before the season tipped off (a hat-tip to the 24 seconds recorded on the clock), Tissot sent 2,000 drones to illuminate the Los Angeles skyline, setting the stage for the season ahead and ushering in a new era. While the new shape, interface, and technology reflect the constant evolution of both Tissot and the NBA, as both fans and players can attest, the heartbeat of the league remains as palpable as ever.
For those hoping to witness the brand’s craftsmanship come to life, Canadians can visit Tissot’s Montreal boutique and experience the shot clock throughout the Toronto Raptors’ season.
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