VACHERON CONSTANTIN – QUAI DE L'ILE

VACHERON CONSTANTIN – QUAI DE L'ILE Stainless Steel Automatic Calibre 5100 NEW

QUAI DE L’ÎLE
A modern take on watchmaking traditio

The Quai de l’Île collection, launched in 2008, welcomes a new stainless steel model, providing a contemporary expression of the proud Fine Watchmaking traditions upheld by the Maison Vacheron Constantin. A spirit evidenced in a comfortably sized 41 mm-diameter case mingling three iconic shapes from the aesthetic heritage of the Manufacture, enhanced by a subtle array of finishes. The Hallmark of Geneva-certified Quai de l’ìle stainless steel model is equipped with the new Manufacture self-winding Caliber 5100, displaying the hours, minutes, seconds and date on a silver-toned or black dial punctuated by luminescent indications ensuring optimal legibility.

Quai de l’Île, an urban location brimming with history

With its contemporary design, its distinctive character and its excellence attested by the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, the Quai de l’Île collection embodies an avant-garde aesthetic vision of watchmaking traditions. The name refers to the historical site of Vacheron Constantin. A symbol of Geneva’s watchmaking excellence and home to the famous 19 th century master cabinotiers, this centre of outstanding craftsmanship spread the fame of the Manufacture far and wide. Located at the heart of Geneva, this crossing place between the left and right banks of the Rhone has been transformed into a bustling urban hub. Imbued with this same spirit of innovation pervaded by history, the Quai de l’Île collection vividly reflects the art with which Vacheron Constantin reinterprets a technical and aesthetic legacy enriched by 260 years of uninterrupted history.

A structured stainless steel case

At once sturdy, comfortable and light, stainless steel makes a noteworthy entry into the collection. Enhanced with alternating polished and satin-brushed finishes, the 41mm-diameter case associates three iconic shapes from the aesthetic heritage of Vacheron Constantin: a round bezel, a cushion-type case and a tonneau (barrel) caseband. This harmoniously embedded "shape in shape" design creates an original aesthetic, accentuated by the light playing across the finishes. Intended to ensure optimal comfort, the split-level lugs reinforce the dynamics of this case with its transparent back and endow it with an authentic identity, the signature touch of Vacheron Constantin.

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An in-house movement for an active life style

This stainless steel exterior houses a state-of-the-art mechanical self-winding movement comprising 172 components. Caliber 5100, entirely designed, developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin, drives the hours, minutes, central seconds and date functions. Steadily beating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and designed for an active lifestyle, this movement features excellent resistance to impacts as well as a comfortable over 60-hour power reserve guaranteed by its twin barrels.

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The oscillating weight is made of tungsten, a material rarely used in watchmaking and which ensures improved inertia of the rotor along with optimal winding performance due to its hardness and its weight. Visible through the sapphire crystal case-back, it is distinguished by its modern Quai de l’Île decor adorned with five raised decorative fillets. The particularly meticulous finishing of Caliber 5100 – chamfering, polishing, circular graining, Côtes de Genève – meets the demanding Hallmark of Geneva standards. Designed to achieve the best possible results in terms of both reliability and aesthetics, these hand-crafted finishes entail an up to 40% longer production time compared with a non-certified movement.

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A multi-level dial

The dial of the new stainless steel Quai de l’Île model is distinguished by a multi-level construction interpreted in two versions – silver-toned or black – with an opaline finish. Composed of three distinct parts, this display with its innovative depth effects ensures remarkable legibility thanks to its hour-markers and Arabic numerals entirely made of white luminescent material. Another distinctive feature is the replacement of the traditional aperture- type date by a two-level date indication. The dial construction includes a transparent mineral glass disc on which the dates of the month are inked. Beneath this glass, the date disc of Caliber 5100 appears and displays an indicator which points towards the correct date.

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This new stainless steel Quai de l’Île model, water-resistant to 30 metres, is delivered with two straps – one in brown alligator leather and the other in black rubber – with a steel folding clasp.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model: QUAI DE L'ILE Stainless steel 41 mm Automatic Calibre 5100

Reference: 4500S/ 000A-B195 – Silver-toned dial 
Reference: 4500S/ 000A-B196 – Black dial

Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece

Movement
Reference: Caliber 5100/1  
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
    Energy: automatic
    Thickness (mm): 4.70
    Diameter (mm): 30.60  (13''' ¼)
    Number of parts: 172
    Number of jewels: 37
    Frequency: 4  Hz ( 28,800  v.p.h )
    Power-reserve (hours): 60 approx.
    Indication: center seconds, minutes, date in aperture, hours    
Certification: Hallmark of Geneva

Indications

Hours, minutes
Center seconds
Date

Case
Stainless steel
41 mm diameter, 11.75 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback 
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial

• Silver-toned 
• Black opaline

Mineral glass disc with date indication
Arabic numerals and indexes crafted in white luminescent
material
18K gold hour & minute hands and date highlighted with
white luminescent material

Strap
Brown Mississippiensis alligator leather, black alsavel lining,
hand-stitched, large square scales
Delivered with a second strap in black rubber

Clasp: 

Stainless steel triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped

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Vacheron Constantin
Press Department
10, Chemin du Tourbillon
P.O. Box 95
CH-1228
Plan-les-Ouates/Geneva
Tel. +41 22 930 20 05
Fax +41 22 930 20 06
press@vacheron-constantin.com
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ARNOLD & SON – Royal TES Blue Tourbillon

ARNOLD & SON – Royal Collection TES Blue Tourbillon White Gold NEW

Timeless elegance and innovative technology:
Arnold & Son’s new TES Blue Tourbillon

True to English watchmaking heritage, Arnold & Son unveils the TES Blue Tourbillon, with the hand-finished A&S8100 calibre with sapphire barrel bridge and blue main plate. This defining timepiece is part of the Royal Collection which combines classic styling with leading-edge technology.

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The tourbillon movement, one of the most elegant complications in the world of horology, has played a crucial role in Arnold & Son’s history. An exceptional watchmaker, John Arnold was an active participant in one of the most extraordinary partnerships in the world of innovative horology. Indeed, both he and A. L. Breguet worked closely, sharing both their knowledge and passion. Evidence of their partnership is A. L. Breguet’s first ever tourbillon mounted in John Arnold’s No. 11 movement, a watch that can be found today in London’s British Museum.

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John Arnold and A.-L. Breguet, silver cased chronometer with tourbillon and spring-detent escapement,
London, England, 1774 and Paris, France, 1808
© The Trustees of the British Museum

Aesthetically what sets Arnold & Son’s new TES Blue Tourbillon apart is its modern take on the distinguished “English” movement design: the barrel bridge for instance has the traditional English wave-form but is made out of sapphire to allow a maximum view on the openworked barrel, wheels and the blue main plate. The tourbillon and motion-work bridges are classically triangular but are skeletonised. The combination of sapphire and open-worked bridges gives an incredible depth and three-dimensional effect to the watch and thus a modern look. The contemporary aspect is further underscored by the vibrant blue of the main plate.

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The unique Arnold & Son design is also reflected by the three-spoke wheels. This same three-spoke design can also be found in the tourbillon cage and the openings in the main plate. The decoration of the main plate is a reminiscence of an old guilloché pattern found on the cases of antique Arnold & Son pocket watches. The main plate is also skeletonised around the barrel and the tourbillon carriage allowing to look through the movement and therefore through the watch itself.

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When compared to more conventional tourbillons found today, the TES Blue model is said to be “inverted”, that is to say most technical elements and visually interesting features are shown on the dial side, when those would normally be hidden on the reverse of the dial. Other typically English technical idiosyncrasies will seduce even the most demanding watch connoisseurs.

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Take, for instance, the solid gold chatons or the symmetrical layout of the movement; to achieve such a feat requires overcoming a number of technical challenges. Thus the barrel spring and the tourbillon cage are centred along the watch’s longitudinal axis. When examining the winding system and the gear train, one notes the traditional construction, which uses wheels with asymmetrical and curved tooth known as “wolf’s teeth”, used to improve the smoothness of the overall movement.

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It goes without saying that every finishing touch on this striking piece, with such movement decoration as hand-chamfered bridges and, even more demanding, hand-chamfered wheels with polished edges has been done by hand by Arnold & Son’s master watchmakers, hence bringing more brilliance and depth to each decorative element.

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This unique timepiece will be produced in a limited edition of 25 pieces, in a 44 mm 18-karat white gold case with a blue CVD main plate, a sapphire barrel bridge and palladium treated bridges, individually numbered and engraved.

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Technical Characteristics

Ref. 1SJAW.V01A.C129W  18-karat White Gold case, Blue open dial

Movement                                
Calibre A&S8100
Exclusive Arnold & Son mechanical tourbillon movement,
Hand-wound, 19 jewels, 21'600 vibrations/h
Diameter 32.60 mm,
Thickness 6.30 mm,
Two barrels, power reserve 90 h,
Functions:
Hours, minutes, tourbillon
Movement decoration:
Nickel-silver and sapphire movement, palladium treated bridges and blue CVD treated main plate with superlative Haute Horlogerie finishing: hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, A&S specific pattern engraved on the main plate, circular satin-finished wheels with hand-chamfered and polished edges, screwed gold chatons, mirror-polished tourbillon cage and bridge, screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads
Dial:  
Blue open dial
Case:   
18-karat White Gold, diameter 44 mm,
cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides,
case back see-through sapphire
Water resistance:
30 Meters
Strap:
Hand-stitched blue or black alligator leather
Limited edition:  25 timepieces

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Press release - 2016
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Marketing & Sales
Boulevard des Eplatures 38
CH – 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
info@arnoldandson.com
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