CHRISTOPHE CLARET – Aventicum AL-ULA Edition

 

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – Aventicum AL-ULA Gold and Titanium Limited Edition

Christophe Claret AL-ULA, the magic of the East

A keen connoisseur of history and culture, Christophe Claret unveils a timepiece whose symbolic power is highlighted by the ingenious optical phenomenon of the mirascope. At the center of this limited edition conveying a message recalling the history and civilizations of the East which founded the foundations of modern society : AL- ULA, a basin stretching from Jordan to the Arabian desert, sumptuous witness of the Nabatean civilization, the iconic monument symbolizing appears to literally burst out of the dial.

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Christophe Claret never ceases to surprise. This true virtuoso of the watchmaking art plays with mechanics, reinvents style codes and creates a fresh and very personal vision of the passing of time. This approach has driven the creation of the Mecca timepiece that uses the optical phenomenon of the mirascope in paying tribute to a civilization and a rich culture more than three thousand years old.

Optical illusion

AL-ULA, the capital of the Kingdom of Dedan, is today a site of major cultural significance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It welcomes Al-Hegra and Mada’in Saleh into its signature. The site has several dozen monuments that have been incredibly preserved from late antiquity.

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One of these monuments, very famous in its symbolism, is micro engraved and highlighted thanks to the mirascope, a process invented about thirty years ago at the University of California. The mirascope is composed of two identical parabolic mirrors arranged one on top of the other, creating an elliptical shape. The convex mirror on top has a hole in the middle. When an object is placed in the center of the concave bottom mirror, the reflection from the top mirror creates a hologram of the object, which appears nearly two times larger than it actually is. In implementing this optical effect in the Mecca model, the monument looks as if it is thrusting out of the middle of the watch and offers a 360-degree view of the emblematic memorial which has withstood all phenomena to bear witness to the grandiosity and talent of the past civilization.

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AL-ULA, like all Christophe Claret signature timepieces, epitomizes the highest standards of fine watchmaking embodied by the brand. Developing the technically demanding mirascope to function perfectly took extreme dedication and focus. Two months of research and several prototypes were integral to obtaining the desired optical effect. The next critical step was designing and crafting the hour and minute hands, which had to be reconfigured, as the mirascope was now the centerpiece of the watch. The hands became pointers revolving on an invisible ring around the perimeter of the dial, each equipped with a counterweight to optimize stability. The challenge of creating the hands was to find a material light enough to compensate for the relatively larger – though mainly concealed – size of the display mechanism. The solution was to use anticorodal (aluminum), which has an excellent rigidity/weight coefficient.

The power of symbols

Esthetically speaking, no detail was left to chance. The AL-ULA timepiece features a wealth of emblematic elements and references to the ancestral culture of the region. First, the dial which opens on the iconic Mada’in Saleh monument is engraved in solid rose gold. The color green, in connection with the Arab culture of the past and the present. To accentuate the symbolism of the piece, the Arabic hour numerals and the “AL-MIM” motifs have been engraved on the flange. The front of the watch reveals a calligraphy drawn in the Diwani style by a master calligrapher, “AL-ULA and THE MAGIC OF THE ORIENT”, this one is filled by a hand engraving.

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The aesthetic and symbolic spectacle is continued on to the back of the AL-ULA timepiece. The ball-bearing cover is decorated with an engraving of the coat of arms of the Christophe Claret brand around which the green sapphire oscillating weight of the self-winding movement rotates. It should be noted that Christophe Claret has obtained a patent for the sapphire element connecting the ball-bearings to the oscillating weight concealed behind a circle Crafted in green sapphire so as to reveal the meticulous movement finishing, all decorated with a motif around the edge engraved by hand with a green enamel filling.

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Finally, the back bezel is engraved with the symbolism of AL-ULA’s current geographic location. The back of the watch shows important inscriptions relating to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, guardian of today AL-ULA. All adorned with green enamel, the inscriptions “LA ILAH ILA ALLAH MOHAMAD RASOOL ALLAH” and “THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA” are also calligraphed in the Diwani style and engraved by hand to perfect this extraordinary masterpiece. Indeed, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made considerable efforts to promote this world heritage of humanity and recently made this wonder accessible to the public.

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With these words, almost everything is said… the rim of the titanium case reveals that only very few enthusiasts will have the chance to wear one of the AL-ULA watches on their wrist.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model   AL-ULA Edition  

• Ref. MTR.AVE15.620-637 - Titanium
  
• Ref. MTR.AVE15.600-617 - Red gold

Distinctive features:

Movement
    Calibre: AVE15, self-winding
    Dimensions: Diameter: 26.20 mm / Thickness: 3.37 mm (without hands)
    Number of parts: 186
    Number of jewels: 28
    Barrels: Twin barrels
    Power reserve: 72 hours
    Escapement: Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph) / Swiss lever
    Features: ‘Mystery’ oscillating weight with sapphire crystal segment and transferred motifs
Functions: Hours and minutes display
Case
    Dimensions: Ø 44 x 18.49 mm 
    Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30 m / 100 ft

• MTR.AVE15.600-617
  

    Case: Grade 5 titanium
    Hands: Anticorodal, anodized green with 4N red gold tips, black lacquered
    Crown: Grade 5 titanium and anthracite gray grade 5 PVD titanium
    Strap: Black alligator leather with green stitching
    Limited edition: 17
    Price in Swiss francs (ex VAT): 69’000

• MTR.AVE15.620-637
  

    Case: Red gold 5N Hands: Anticorodal, anodized black with 4N red gold tips, black lacquered
    Crown: Red Gold 5N 
    Strap: Black alligator leather with green stitching
    Limited edition: 17
    Price in Swiss francs (ex VAT): 77’000

 Front:
    The AL-ULA watch is inspired by the Aventicum model: the center of the dial, the mirascope with the emblematic monument of Mada’in Saleh micro-engraved.
    Around, oriental calligraphy engraved and lacquered in green and gray color.

Back:
    The oscillating weight is in green sapphire revealing the movement, adorned with an “Al-Mim” motif engraved and enameled in green around the circumference of the weight.
    On a decorative plate, green decal of two inscriptions Arabic:

•     At 12: “LA ILLAH ILA ALLAH MOHAMAD RASOOL ALLAH”
•     “There is no god but GOD and Muhammad is his messenger”
•     At 6: “AL MAMLAKA ALARABIA ALSAOUDIA”
•     “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”
•     At 3 and 9: the sword symbol of the flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Strap
Black alligator leather with green stitching
Clasp
Grade 5 titanium 5 titanium caps, 
Christophe Claret logo

Edition
Limited edition of 17 pieces 

 
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Press release - 2021
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Christophe Claret – Alexandra Beurier
Tel : +41 32 933 80 26
Email : a.beurier@christopheclaret.com
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CHRISTOPHE CLARET – CONCERTINO Minute-Repeater Dragons - Unique Piece

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – CONCERTINO Minute-Repeater DRAGONS Gold 45mm - Unique Piece

CONCERTINO

 HAUTE HORLOGERIE MINUTE-REPEATER

Concertino is the new striking timepiece from master watchmaker Christophe Claret, who, for more than 35 years, has been glorifying the most beautiful of horological complications, the minute repeater, highlighting enamelling, engraving and guillochage, the trades exceptional art, extremely demanding.

This new masterpiece welcomes a completely redesigned movement with a unique regulator.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Concertino features a large dial, set with an immense sapphire crystal, that sublimates the creations of the masters of art, under a finely satin-brushed bezel. The back, also transparent, allows you to admire the exceptional architecture of the movement, in particular its stepped and skeletonized "Charles X" bridges.

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Concertino is available in 5N red gold or grade 5 titanium, and its fully customizable dial makes it unique each time.

With this work, artist-watchmaker Christophe Claret once again confirms his excellence.

GENESYS

Since the day when Christophe Claret, then a student, entered the workshop of a watchmaker-restorer, he has nourished a passion for complicated timepieces, in particular old pocket watches, often equipped with a locking mechanism. Minute-repeaters, real little « chefs-d’œuvre » of precision striking hours, quarters and minutes on demand.

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He has continuously studied, understood and improved this grand complication which many consider to be the finest in watchmaking. Because to technical complexity is added musical poetry. In 1989, the first caliber signed by Christophe Claret was a minute repeater. A series of watches with evocative names followed: Adagio, Soprano, Allegro, and today Concertino, a new sheet from a prestigious musical score.

This timepiece is resolutely turned towards innovation, without technical or aesthetic compromise, with respect for excellence and heritage of Swiss Haute Horlogerie.

THE MOVEMENT: CRM89 CALIBER

Concertino sets the tone in the family of traditional complications watches, the first of the four collections of the Christophe Claret brand. It is inspired by previous creations by the master watchmaker, while once again pushing the limits of what is possible in this area. Its CRM89 caliber is an entirely redesigned composition, from the mainplate to the bridges, including the flywheel which regulates the minute repeater mechanism.

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With a frequency of 3 hertz (21,600 vibrations per hour), the CRM89 caliber comes to life thanks to a single barrel. Concertino has a power reserve of around 60 hours. The request for the minute repeater is traditionally made through a sliding pusher on the left side of the case. We can therefore admire the choreography of the two hammers through the sapphire crystal back of the watch, and vibrate to the rhythm of the balance wheel.

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Christophe Claret is the designer of this four-branch balance wheel which offers an inertia / weight ratio close to the ideal balance: although very complex to manufacture, this aerodynamic balance is easy to adjust and balance.

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Special care has been taken in the Concertino "Cathedral" bells - as always with Christophe Claret. This type of bell has the particularity of going around the movement twice in order to express sounds that are longer, clearer and more powerful...

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Excellence is required for their manufacture in drawn steel, for their assembly and tuning. They benefit from a patented in-house invention which blocks significant vibrations despite their exceptional lengths and thus prohibits all parasitic noises.

The balance cockbridge has a micrometric adjustment system that is also patented.

AESTHETICS

As with its technical design, the aesthetic of Concertino is the fruit of the work and creativity of Christophe Claret.

The case harmoniously combines the polished and satin finishes of 5N red gold or titanium, highlighting the play of lights.

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Grade 5 titanium is hard and very difficult to machine, it has the advantage of being extremely light and above all of sublimating the transmission of the ringing sound.

The dial (enamelled, engraved, set and / or guilloché) also magnifies the light and dark, with its unique nuances of hues and personalized materials.

The early Concertinos proudly display an ornamental hand engraving (nearly 1.5 mm) of two dragons - protectors of the Sun, an 8 mm pigeon's blood ruby, in its rose gold livery or protectors of the Earth, a sapphire 8 mm blue, in its titanium livery.

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On the back side, we find the famous stepped and skeletonized Charles X bridges, signatures of Christophe Claret. The movement is in microblasted and rhodium-plated nickel silver for the Concertino grade 5 titanium version, or 4N red gold plated for the 5N Gold Concertino version. It lives in the heart of a box 45 millimeters in diameter. Overcoming the incabloc, the gold bezel is set with a brilliant-cut ruby.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: CONCERTINO Minute-Repeater Dragons - Unique Piece

Movement
Caliber: CRM89, mechanical, hand-wound movement
Diameter: 34.00 mm
Height: 6.70 mm (without hands)
Components: 376
Jewels: 33
Barrel: Single mainspring barrel
Power reserve: Approximately 60 hours
Escapement: Swiss lever
3 Hz frequency (21’600 vph)
Features: Charles X style skeletonized, stepped bridges
Charles X cockbridge with patented micrometric adjustment system
Minute-repeater with Cathedral bells with patented noise reducer
Functions: Hours, minutes
Hours, quarters and minutes repeater on demand
Inertia wheel 
Case
Diameter: 45 mm
Height: 12.90 mm
Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30 m / 100 ft

• 🔵 MTR.CRM89.900

Case: Grade 5 titanium
Dial: Ornamental engraved dragons with “grand feu” enamel
Blue Sapphire
Hands: Steel and blue sapphire
Crown: Grade 5 titanium
Strap: Alligator
Edition: Unique piece
Price: CHF 348' ' 000 ( (excluding taxes)

• 🔴 MTR.CRM89.901

Case: 5N red gold
Dial: Ornamental engraved dragons
with “grand feu” enamel
Pigeon’s blood red ruby
Hands: Steel and red sapphire
Crown: 5N red gold
Strap: Alligator

Edition: Unique piece
Price: CHF 378'' 000 ( (excluding taxes)

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Press release - 2021
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Christophe Claret – Alexandra Beurier
Tel : +41 32 933 80 26
Email : a.beurier@christopheclaret.com
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www.ChristopheClaret.com

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – LOMA Chronograph Edition

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – LOMA Titanium 45mm Chronograph Limited Edition

The Loma watch,
a powerful strike force

with boxing champion Vasyl Lomachenko

Following his collaboration with the Ukrainian boxer Vasyl Lomachenko – winner of one Europe championship title, two Olympic gold medals and three World championship titles – Christophe Claret unveils the Loma watch, a mono-pusher chronograph with striking mechanism and constant force escapement. This timepiece, born of the collaboration between the watchmaker and the boxer and uniting their shared passions, will be available on the markets from September.

Ringside encounter

April 12th 2019: Vasyl Lomachenko, nicknamed the "Picasso" of world boxing, achieves yet another masterful feat. In his Los Angeles fight against Englishman Anthony Crolla, Vasyl Lomachenko successfully defended his WBA and WBO lightweight belts by beating his opponent with a spectacular knockout in the fourth round.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The Ukrainian boxer has already won the title of Europe champion in Liverpool (2008) in the featherweight category, the title of double Olympic champion – in Beijin (2008) in the featherweight category and in London (2012) in the lightweight category – as well as three World titles in only 12 professional fights: in Chicago (2007) and in Milan (2009) in the featherweight category and in Baku (2011) in the lightweight category.

Christophe Claret signs a partnership

That same day in Los Angeles, Christophe Claret met Vasyl Lomachenko through Saïd Taghmaoui, a famous Franco-American actor who made his breakout in the film La Haine in 1996 and has been the Christophe Claret brand Ambassador since January 2019. The encounter gave rise to a collaboration between the watchmaker and the boxer that resulted in the creation of this timepiece.

Precision, Rigorous Discipline, Patience, Speed, Elegance and Talent are the shared qualities demonstrated by these two Maestros in their respective arts.

This alliance between Christophe Claret and Loma is no coincidence. In 2013 already, Christophe Claret drew inspiration from the world of boxing based on a simple observation: the ringside boxing bell is one of the most recognizable sounds in sport, signaling the moment boxers go head to head in the ring. A boxing bout is divided into rounds, punctuated by one-minute periods of rest, all announced by the ringside bell. So it is only natural to mark the start of a chronograph with such a sound. This led to the creation of the Kantharos model, a mono-pusher chronograph with constant-force escapement and cathedral-gong striking mechanism, equipped with an ingenious chiming system activated in each mode (start, stop, reset) – that also inspired Christophe Claret in creating the Loma watch.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The Loma watch leaves nothing to chance. Its blue layered dial skillfully plays on depth and transparency, accentuating the visual field, while catching and holding light. Designed like a boxing ring in which the actors display their remarkable skills, it is swept over by the central seconds hand, the black PVD and sapphire hours and minutes hands coated with yellow and white Super-LumiNova®. With chronograph counters on either side, the constant-force device appears to be at dial level – an impressive structural achievement in itself.

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These counters, bearing transfers of the two Olympic medals in their respective centers, combine strong character with an original disk-type display. One fixed sapphire disk carries the numerals, while a second mobile black and yellow disk positioned below features an indicator. Each is rimmed with a graduated step, giving the display a pleasing sense of dimensionality.

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Everything about this watch evokes the boxing world and its Ukrainian champion: witness the choice of mainly blue and yellow colors recalling the national flag; the yellow-lacquered “Loma” inscription on the blue alligator leather strap; the transfers of the belts on the folding clasp as well as the inscription “Round” engraved on the 2 o’clock pusher and enhanced with yellow Super-LumiNova®.

An extremely technical round

This Christophe Claret creation encapsulates both Haute Horlogerie expertise and High-Tech precision. This mono-pusher chronograph with striking mechanism and constant-force escapement asserts its codes and reinvents short-time measurement.

The concept is entirely in line with Christophe Claret, which has repeatedly distinguished itself with innovative striking mechanisms featuring cathedral gongs. The latter, the acknowledged king of chimes, engraved with a gong hammer, is visible at 10 o’clock and equipped with a patented system that avoids the gong vibrating against the case. The chronograph delivers peerless and reliable performance. Its clutch disk system prevents the hand from jumping when the chronograph starts to enhance precision. This useful, functional and entertaining chronograph plays on the sensorial – acoustic and tactile – interaction between the instrument and its owner.

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In addition to this innovative complication, the Loma watch is also equipped with a constant-force escapement, a nod to the boxing champion, who has demonstrated impressive and constant strength during his fights. Majestically enthroned on the dial side at 6 o’clock, this clever mechanism is a key component that considerably reduces timing variations. The energy delivered to the escapement remains constant from beginning to end of the power reserve. Precision is the overriding goal. The perpetually moving mechanism exercises a hypnotic visual effect, which may be admired beneath a meticulously chamfered sapphire bridge revealing the full extent of the master-watchmaker’s know-how.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Housed inside a 45 mm-diameter case, the movement was designed, developed and assembled in-house. This extremely complex caliber is not built up layer by layer, as is usually the case, but is fully integrated – a unified approach that enhances finesse, performance and coherent technical and aesthetic appeal. The movement design is a feat in its own right. The platinum rotor boasts increased inertia and the mainspring guarantees a 40-hour power reserve.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Clearly visible through the sapphire crystal case back and fitted with 75 jewels – an impressive number that single-handedly symbolizes the complexity of the mechanism – the caliber conceals nothing of its refined finishing. Among its 570 components, the swan-neck regulator spring and oscillating winding rotor feature hand-crafted finishes reflecting the finest Haute Horlogerie traditions.

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These include polished internal angles, an extremely demanding technique. This wealth of subtle touches offers vivid proof that aesthetic precision pervades even the smallest of components and fully matches the outstanding technical performance of the timepiece.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: LOMA Chronograph Edition

Reference: MTR.MBA13.100-120

Movement
Caliber MBA13, automatic winding mechanical movement
Dimensions: 31.60 x 10.56 mm (without gong)/37.60 x 10.56 mm (with gong)
Number of components: 570
Number of jewels: 75
Power reserve: 40 hours (approx.)
Escapement: Swiss lever-type, 3 Hz (21,600 vph), constant force
Functions
Hours and minutes
Mono-pusher chronograph
Chronograph chimes each time the function is changed (start, stop, reset)
Patented cathedral gong
Constant-force mechanism at 6 o’clock
Case
Black PVD-treated grade 5 titanium
Diameter: 45 mm
Height: 15.83 mm
Crown: Black PVD-treated titanium, with blue lacquered cabochon
Water resistance: 30 m (3 ATM)
Dial
Blue ALD and black PVD-treated with hour markers in yellow Super-Luminova®
Hands: Sapphire and black PVD-treated, with yellow and white Super-Luminova®
Strap
Blue alligator leather with yellow-lacquered “Loma” inscription and yellow topstitching

Edition  - 20-piece limited series

Retail price: Price excluding tax in Swiss francs: 126,000


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Press release - 2019
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---------------------------------------------
Christophe Claret – Alexandra Beurier
Tel : +41 32 933 80 26
Email : a.beurier@christopheclaret.com
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www.facebook.com - Manufacture Christophe Claret
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www.ChristopheClaret.com

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – Vasyl Lomachenko LOMA Edition

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – LOMA Chronograph Edition

Christophe Claret signs a partnership 

with boxing champion Vasyl Lomachenko

April 12th 2019: Vasyl Lomachenko, nicknamed the "Picasso" of world boxing, achieves yet another masterful feat. In his Los Angeles fight against Englishman Anthony Crolla, Vasyl Lomachenko successfully defended his WBA and WBO lightweight belts by beating his opponent with a spectacular knockout in the fourth round.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The Ukrainian boxer has already won the title of Europe champion in Liverpool (2008) in the featherweight category, the title of double Olympic champion – in Beijin (2008) in the featherweight category and in London (2012) in the lightweight category – as well as three World titles in only 12 professional fights: in Chicago (2007) and in Milan (2009) in the featherweight category and in Baku (2011) in the lightweight category.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

That same day, Christophe Claret met Vasyl Lomachenko in Los Angeles through Saïd Taghmaoui, a famous Franco-American actor who made his breakout in the film La Haine in 1996 and has been the Christophe Claret brand Ambassador since January 2019. The encounter gave rise to a collaboration between the watchmaker and the boxer that is soon to result in a timepiece combining their shared passions.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Precision, Rigorous Discipline, Patience, Speed, Elegance and Talent are the shared qualities demonstrated by these two Maestros in their respective arts.

Chronometer Boxing bell

Let the battle commence. The ringside boxing bell is one of the most recognizable sounds in sport, signaling the moment boxers go head to head in the ring. A boxing bout is divided into rounds, punctuated by one-minute periods of rest, all announced by the ringside bell. So it's only natural to mark the start of a chronograph with such a sound. Christophe Claret has integrated a sonnerie into Kantharos – which sounds precisely when the chronograph is started.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

This alliance is no coincidence. In 2013 already, Christophe Claret drew inspiration from the world of boxing based on a simple observation: the ringside boxing bell is one of the most recognizable sounds in sport, signaling the moment boxers go head to head in the ring. A boxing bout is divided into rounds, punctuated by one-minute periods of rest, all announced by the ringside bell. So it's only natural to mark the start of a chronograph with such a sound. This led to the creation of the Kantharos model, a mono-pusher chronograph with constant force escapement and cathedral-gong striking mechanism, equipped with an ingenious chiming system activated in each mode (start, stop, reset).

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

This new round embodying a rapprochement between Haute Horlogerie and boxing is set to pack a powerful punch!

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

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Press release - 2019
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---------------------------------------------
Christophe Claret – Alexandra Beurier
Tel : +41 32 933 80 26
Email : a.beurier@christopheclaret.com
------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Manufacture Christophe Claret
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-----------------------------------------------------------------
www.ChristopheClaret.com

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – X-TREM-1 – Ultimate Gold-Black Titanium Tourbillon

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – X-TREM-1 – ULTIMATE Red Gold & Black PVD-treated Titanium Flying Tourbillon Edition

The new version X-TREM-1 Ultimate 

watchmaking by Christophe Claret

X-TREM-1 represents a major technical and aesthetic accomplishment: a flying tourbillon inclined at a 30° angle, mounted on a three-dimensional curvex titanium mainplate, equipped with a retrograde hours and minutes display system that is radically different from existing watchmaking conventions.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Two tiny hollowed steel spheres, isolated within tubes on the left and right sides of the caseband, magically move with no mechanical connection thanks to magnetic fields.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

X-TREM-1, the fi rst model in this new generation of timepieces, represents a major technical and aesthetic accomplishment: a fl ying tourbillon inclined at a 30° angle, mounted on a three-dimensional curvex titanium mainplate, equipped with a retrograde hours and minutes display system that is radically different from existing watchmaking conventions. Two tiny hollowed steel spheres, isolated within tubes, have been placed to the left and right sides of the case and move in a mysterious manner with no mechanical connection thanks to magnetic fi elds

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The hand-wound watch draws its energy from two barrels – a necessity in this case, since they enable the use of a high energy-consuming display mode without disturbing the rate of the tourbillon, and thus that of the watch. The fi rst barrel is reserved for the tourbillon, and the second for the hours and minutes.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ FOTO

Driven as ever by a determination to present avant-garde timepieces, 5N red gold and black grade 5 PVD titanium were the metals chosen to make the case of this version of the X-TREM-1. The sapphire tubes have been replaced by cylindrical ring-bound tubes housing mobile stainless steel spheres indicating the time.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

This version is produced in an 8-piece limited edition.

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Technical Specifications

X-TREM-1 – Ultimate Red Gold & Black Titanium

Ref. MTR.FLY11.150-158

Movement:
Caliber:  FLY11 - mechanical, hand-wound movement
Dimensions: 26.6 x 46.4 x 11.94 mm
Number of components:    432
Number of jewels:  66
Power reserve: 50+ hours
Dual barrels: one for the movement gear train, one for the time indications
Display-regulation escapement:
The tourbillon movement and the time indication gear trains each
have their own independent energy  supply  to optimize power
distribution and duration
Tourbillon:
-    Swiss lever
-    Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)
-    Tourbillon rotates once every 60 seconds
-    Flying tourbillon inclined at 30° supported by a double ceramic bearing, with cone-shaped pinion transmission
-    Black chrome-plated aluminum skull with natural red ruby eyes
Functions:
Mystery hours and minutes displayed with indications provided by hollowed steel spheres moving 23 mm inside two cylindrical sapphire tubes.
The metal spheres are driven by magnetic carriages following a thread.
-    Seconds displayed on the tourbillon cage
-    Movement state-of-wind indication
-    Fast time adjustment is via an integrated pusher on the caseband at 12 o’clock
Mainplate:
-    Curvex with sides inclined at a 30° angle
-    Mainplate and bridges in bead-blasted titanium
-    Open-worked ratchet and wheel
Distinctive features:
-    Use of precisely-shaped magnetic fields in a mechanical movement
-    No mechanical connection between the indications and the movement
-    Winding and time-setting via lift-out rotating “bows” on caseback
Case:
Rectangular with curvex profile
Dimensions: 40.80 x 56.80 x 15 mm
Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30 m / 100 ft
Material
5N red gold and black PVD-treated grade 5 titanium with 5N red gold metallized numerals
5N red gold cylindrical ring-bound tubes
Spheres
White chrome-treated stainless steel
Strap
Black alligator strap

Limited Edition of 8 timepieces


Price in Swiss francs (ex VAT): 268’000

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Press release - 2018
----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
Christophe Claret – Alexandra Beurier
Tel : +41 32 933 80 26
Email : a.beurier@christopheclaret.com
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www.facebook.com - Manufacture Christophe Claret
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www.ChristopheClaret.com

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – ADAGIO

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – ADAGIO Quarter and Minute Repeater GMT - Collection 2018

Adagio, the Renaissance

Finely engraved with volutes, dainty flowers and musical instruments symbolizing the Renaissance, the Adagio watch returns to center-stage, interpreted through several one-of-a-kind models. Supreme artistry thus adorns this minute repeater that is combined with large date and dual-time displays. Admiring and listening to these creations will take connoisseurs on an aesthetic journey through the refinement of time.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Christophe Claret would love to have been born during the Italian Renaissance, a period that he appreciates as much for its history as for its aesthetics, its artistic refinement and its intellectual thought. He makes no secret of this personal penchant – better described as a passion that has become an art of living for him – and some of his collections vividly betray this taste for ornamentation and classicism.

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The watchmaker’s fascination for 16th century arts is once again conveyed through the one-of-a-kind Adagio creations masterfully engraved by Neuchâtel-based artisan Eddy Jaquet. Working freelance for more than three decades, he is gifted with a rare expertise blending patience, meticulous care and artistic creativity, enabling him to join eye, hand and tools in sculpting matter. These one-of-a-kind new Adagio models were born from a fruitful dialogue between Christophe Claret and the engraver.

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A concerted, lengthy, passionate and fascinating quest to strike the perfect chord, to define the ornamental motif for the case, and above all to compose the six Renaissance musical instruments engraved on the lugs and the minute repeater sliding bolt. With a degree of finesse that requires a magnifying glass to appreciate each detail, a lute, a hurdy-gurdy, a tambourine and bagpipes appear on each of the lugs, while the minute repeater sliding bolt features two instruments: a sackbut and a bombarde, the respective ancestors of the trombone and the oboe.

Miniature sculptures

In order to highlight these six instruments, notably through remarkable contrasts, the engraver made ample use of the pounced ornament technique used for artisanal medals. Domed or flat surfaces, curves and angles, matt and polished areas… By cutting out the material to be sculpted, by carving it, scraping it or smoothing it down, the engraver successfully creates an amazingly realistic depiction further accentuated by light effects. The fold of a fabric, the slenderness of a string or the softness of wood are revealed with absolute precision.

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The case middle is engraved with rich ornamental motifs and volutes typical of Renaissance furniture. To reproduce such motifs resembling miniature sculptures, Eddy Jaquet gently extracted material using the fine line engraving technique.

From yesteryear to the present day

It takes around 130 hours of work for the engraver to craft each of these one-of-a-kind models, on which the abundance of the motifs adorning the 44 mm case strikes a powerful contrast with the total purity of the watch face. The deep black onyx or hawk’s eye dial displays the functions and complications in an extremely contemporary spirit.

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Beating steadily behind the scenes, the 455-part Manufacture Caliber SLB88 drives central hours and minutes, small seconds in a 9 o’clock aperture, a large date appearing at 6 o’clock, and a dual-time (hours and minutes) display with day/night indication in a 2 o’clock subdial.

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Melodiously chiming the hours, quarters and minutes on demand, the “cathedral” gongs of the striking mechanism are fitted with a patented device that prevents them from colliding as they vibrate under the hammer blows. The large date with its unparalleled construction is also patented.

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This 34 mm movement with a 48-hour power reserve features finely decorated bridges. The crown is also equipped with a safety device: when the barrel spring is stretched to the full, a mechanism uncouples the stem in order to prevent any damage due to excessive tension.

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An exquisitely refined true horological gem, the engraved Adagio watch is available in various one-of-a-kind variations in 5N red gold, white gold or platinum, and with cases set with baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel or with baguette-cut diamonds and sapphires.

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Technical specifications

Movement:
Caliber: SLB88, mechanical manual-winding
Dimensions:
-Diameter: 34 mm
-Thickness: 8.40 mm (without the hands)
Number of parts: 455
Number of jewels: 46
Power reserve: n48 hours
Escapement: Frequency: 2.5 Hz (18,000 vph)
⦁ Swiss lever type
Fonctions:    
The Adagio watch with hour, quarter and minute repeater, large date and GMT indicates the: 

• Central hours and minutes, seconds in a 9 o’clock aperture
• The large date through a 6 o’clock aperture
• Time in second time-zone (dual-time display) with day/night indication in a subdial at 2 o’clock
• And strike on demand (cathedral chime):
• Hours (low-pitched tone)
• Quarter-hours (alternate low- and high-pitched tones)
• Minutes (high-pitched tone)

   
Case
Dimensions: Ø44 x 13.90 mm
Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30 m / 100 ft

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Ref. MTR.SLB88.722:

Case:  White gold
Renaissance-inspired musical instruments engraved on the lugs
(lute, hurdy-gurdy, tambourine and bagpipes) and on the sliding bolt  (bombarde and sackbut)
Tops of the lugs and bezel set with baguette-cut
diamonds (6.12 cts), five on each lug and 36 on the bezel

Crown: white gold, engraved cabochon
Dial: black onyx
Hands: white gold
Strap: black alligator leather
Buckle: white gold
One-of-a-kind model

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Ref. MTR.SLB88.902:

Case:  5N red gold
Renaissance-inspired musical instruments engraved on the lugs
(lute, hurdy-gurdy, tambourine and bagpipes) and on the sliding bolt (bombarde and sackbut)
Tops of the lugs and bezel set with baguette-cut
diamonds (6.12 cts), five on each lug and 36 on the bezel

Crown: 5N red gold, engraved cabochon
Dial: black onyx
Hands: 4N pink gold
Strap: black alligator leather
Buckle: 5N red gold
One-of-a-kind model

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Ref. MTR.SLB88.903:

Case:  Platinum
Renaissance-inspired musical instruments engraved on the lugs
(lute, hurdy-gurdy, tambourine and bagpipes) and on the sliding bolt
(bombarde and sackbut)
Tops of the lugs and bezel set with baguette-cut diamonds (6.12 cts),
five on each lug and 36 on the bezel

Crown: white gold, engraved cabochon
Dial: hawk’s eye
Hands: white gold
Strap: black alligator leather
Buckle: white gold
One-of-a-kind model

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Ref. MTR.SLB88.904:

Case:  Platinum
Renaissance-inspired musical instruments engraved on the lugs
(lute, hurdy-gurdy, tambourine and bagpipes) and on the sliding bolt
(bombarde and sackbut)
Tops of the lugs and bezel set with baguette-cut gems (6.12 cts),
five diamonds on each lug, 36 diamonds and 12 sapphires on the bezel

Crown: white gold, engraved cabochon
Dial: black onyx
Hands: white gold, blue PVD-treated
Strap: black alligator leather
Buckle: white gold
One-of-a-kind model

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Press release - 2018
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Christophe Claret – Alexandra Beurier
Tel : +41 32 933 80 26
Email : a.beurier@christopheclaret.com
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