Swiss watch manufacturer Armin Strom has been unveiled as a long-term partner of the Virgin Racing F1 Team.

Under terms of the new deal Armin Strom becomes the team's official timing partner from the start of the 2011 Formula One season.

Additionally the partnership sees the creation of Armin Racing, a joint venture between the luxury watch manufacturer and UK distributor Linder Luxury. Details of the new joint venture see Armin Strom collaborating with the Virgin Racing Team to create a bespoke collection of Virgin Racing timepieces.

"We are delighted to welcome the Armin brand to Virgin Racing's portfolio of partners," said Graeme Lowdon, Virgin Racing chief executive officer. "Timing is everything in a fast-moving sport like ours where every hundredth of a second counts, so it is especially exciting that we will be working together to develop an exciting new Virgin Racing range for the brand. Whilst Armin Strom is a long-established marque in timekeeping with a fine heritage, and Virgin Racing is relatively new to the sport, there are many natural synergies in terms of our spirit of challenge and the unique approach our team takes to innovation and technology. We look forward to developing the product range and our relationship over the coming years."

Armin Strom's chief executive, Serge Michel, added: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Virgin Racing. Just like the team we are a young and dynamic brand, setting new standards of excellence using a high-tech approach in an industry mainly based on traditional craftsmanship. Like Virgin Racing, we are not afraid to go where no one has gone before."

Virgin Racing's two drivers, Lucas di Grassi and Timo Glock, currently sit 23rd and 24th respectively in the 2010 Formula One season.

Source: SportsPro