Thursday, April 14, 2016

BLANCPAIN – VILLERET Quantième Annuel GMT















BLANCPAIN VILLERET Quantième Annuel GMT NEW

The Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT appears for the first time with a stainless steel case, which combines with the white dial and black leather strap to infuse this model with an aesthetic that is both contemporary and classic.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                               BIG FOTO








































The new Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT, now fitted with a stainless steel case, enriches the Blancpain collections with the first annual calendar GMT model available in this metal.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                               BIG FOTO







































Playing with contrasts, the clear sapphire case back reveals the yellow gold winding rotor adorned with a guilloché motif. The hands as well as the hour-markers match the material of the watch case. The dial layout has been designed to facilitate the order of annual calendar readings. The day, date and month are thus smoothly read off one after the other.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                               BIG FOTO








































GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) is a term used to refer to watches with dials featuring a second time-zone (dual-time) display. The Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT is equipped with the self-winding 6054F caliber.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                               BIG FOTO
























This movement requires only one date adjustment per year, between February and March. For
the rest of the year, the watch automatically moves from the 30 th or the 31 st to the first day of the
following month. A small 24-hour counter appearing at 8 o’clock on the dial serves as the reference
time. The GMT display local time is provided by the central hours hand to which the date is linked.
The case is fitted with Blancpain’s exclusive patented under-lug correctors.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                               BIG FOTO



The ingenious idea behind this system was to place the correctors under the lugs so that they can be operated by hand without any need for a correcting stylus, as well as remaining hidden from sight when the watch is worn. The one at 1 o’clock enables simple manual adjustment of the day of the week; while the other at 5 o’clock adjusts the month. Fast GMT and date corrections, along with time-setting, are all handled via the crown. This stainless steel timepiece is equipped with an alligator leather strap lined with Alzavel calfskin, while a triple-blade folding clasp ensures optimal user-friendliness.

------------------------------------------------------------
Technical specifications
 References:  6670-1127-55B
Collection: VILLERET  

Model:  Quantième Annuel GMT

Case
Stainless steel
Diameter:  40.00 mm
Thickness: 11.04 mm
Water resistance:  3.00 bar
Between horns:  23.00 mm
Back:   Sapphire crystal
Between horns: 22.00 mm
Engraved on the back of the timepiece - Unique piece
Dial
Silver-toned obsidian dial
Specificities
Annual Calendar with GMT
Double timezone,  seconds
Under-lug correctors 
Movement
Self-winding
Calibre 6054F

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                               BIG FOTO























Annual calendar   
Double timezone
Power reserve in hours:  72 hours
Calibre diameter:  32.00 mm
Calibre thickness:  5.57 mm
Jewels:  34
2 mainspring barrels
Glucydur free sprung balance
Secured movement
Components:  367
Strap
Alligator leather straps
Folding clasp

* Blancpain reserves the right to modify this model and its technical characteristics.
 
--------------------------------------
Blancpain S.A.
Le Rocher 12
1348 Le Brassus
Suisse International PR:  
Aude Rosati & Lucie Notari
Tel.  (+41) 21 796 3636
Fax (+41) 21 796 3637
E-mail: pr@blancpain.com
---------------------------------------------------------
press.blancpain.com
------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Blancpain
--------------------------------------------------------------
www.Blancpain.com

GIRARD-PERREGAUX – The Chamber of Wonders Edition Collection 2016




















GIRARD-PERREGAUX – The Chamber of Wonders Edition Collection 2016 NEW

The Chamber of Wonders

In 2015, with the introduction of its “Chamber of Wonders” collection, Girard-Perregaux provided its first glimpse into the field of miniature creation with the artistic tradition known as cabinets of curiosities. This art form made popular during the Renaissance was imbued with magic and fantasy, held the unmistakable charm of adventure.

An infinitely small object becomes a canvas for the creativity of artisans specializing in rare handcrafts, which Swiss fine watchmaking has renamed artistic crafts. In 2016, Girard-Perregaux is continuing to celebrate this meticulous skill and patience in an original manner with the second installment of the “Chamber of Wonders”. Here, the values of aestheticism and fine workmanship, on which the Manufacture has specialized since 1791, has found a new view even in the confined space of a watch dial. Against a backdrop of poetry, the beckoning sea, and fantasy, the pieces are invaded by a winning combination of exceptional materials and techniques that are becoming increasingly scarce.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO







































In 2016, the brand is expanding its Girard-Perregaux 1966 pink gold collection with a trio of numbered pieces powered by a self-winding Manufacture caliber with dials that either celebrate the Earth as seen from space, or space as viewed from Earth. These interplanetary journeys are opening up the “Chamber of Wonders” to even more colorful interpretations of the past, and to new understandings of objects that are references in world history. They are the original combination of the manufacture-based arts of a mountainous area dedicated to excellent watchmaking and the multidisciplinary knowledge representing the openess to the world.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO







































More than simple demonstrations of manual skills, the map representations reproduced and reinterpreted on the dials of the three 2016 “Chamber of Wonders” models celebrate the visions of scholars and famous figures in the history of humanity. They tell a tale of perceptions, which demonstrates the extent of knowledge at the time when their illustrious creators first expressed them. Their connection to the passing of time and its creation of certainties is undeniable.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO








































The Chamber of Wonders – Center of the Universe Earth

Greco-Roman astronomer Ptolemy, one of the founding fathers of geography, the creation of which dates back to less than one hundred years AD, was fascinated by the interactions of the Earth and Sun, and the Earth and Moon, as well as their influence on climates.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO































Although incomplete, his representation of the Earth was already seemingly spherical, inventing the geometry still in use today of a grid of latitudes and longitudes. His treatise of geography and the maps represented in it, translated into Latin by d’Angelo, inspired Christopher Columbus, who carefully studied these outlines, finding further motivation to carry out his sailing plans.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO









































Stone marquetry, and miniature and gold powder painting

The creation of this rare Girard-Perregaux piece highlights the technique of stone marquetry, embellished by the talent of miniature painters. The result is a depth that can only rendered by stone cut into thin disks, which are then polished and positioned like a jewel. This sets the scene for materials capable of representing different shades of blue, such as lapis lazuli or aventurine, or reflecting warm white tones, such as extra-white mother-of-pearl. The stretches of sea and boundaries of unknown territories are formed in this manner, before brushes dipped in gold powder delicately caress the colored surfaces. Updated in this manner, the product of infinite patience, the motifs symbolize the land and its outlines.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO




























The Chamber of Wonders – Center of the Universe Sun

Contrary to geocentricism, which places the Earth at the center of the universe, heliocentricism makes the Sun a fixed point in the universe around which celestial bodies revolve, including the Earth. This groundbreaking theory revolutionized scientific and philosophical thinking in the mid 16th century.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO































It was introduced by astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), a Polish doctor and physician, whose book “On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres” was printed for the first time in Nuremberg in 1543, while he was still alive. History later revealed that the scholar had already shared disruptive theories thirty years prior, which the world came to call the Copernican Revolution. Ever since, the Moon has revolved around the Earth, which in turn rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun, much to the annoyance of Ptolemy and the certitudes of the past.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO








































Stone marquetry and miniature paintings

The 24-hour renaissance according to Copernicus, in reference to the time taken by the Earth to turn on its axis and begin a new day, should naturally be celebrated with warm and silky colors – almost as if the Earth were watching the Sun and gradually becoming hypnotized by the warmth of its light.  To illustrate this, Girard-Perregaux selected aventurine and gray jade, which it combined with alternating shades of dark and pale orange jasper.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO



























As with every map interpretation depicted on the dials of the “Chamber of Wonders” range, original watchmaking techniques are combined with a variety of talents, such as miniature painters. Their final touches give incredible visual structure when combined with the patience of arranging cut and polished stones in a mosaic to create a powerful aesthetic aptness.


The Chamber of Wonders – Celestial Globe

Vincenzo Maria Coronelli (1650-1718) was a cartographer, cosmographer and a producer of globes. World history is indebted to this Franciscan monk – a doctor of theology and encyclopedist for the two giant globes he created in Paris in homage to the Sun King, Louis XIV. Each globe measure 382 centimeters in diameter and weigh around 2 tons.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO






























One is terrestrial, the other celestial, depicting the sky as it was seen at the time of the monarch’s birth, on September 5, 1638. On the 1,880 celestial bodies that it depicts, 72 constellations adopt the forms of whimsical animals and mythological figures. The completely blue-toned work, comprised of twelve equal areas symbolizing the seasons when the Sun crosses the zodiac constellations, was painted and illuminated by Jean-Baptiste Corneille.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO









































A sapphire dome engraved and painted by hand

Taking pride of place on the small dial, this timepiece is a masterful ode to the color blue and its infinite range of shades. The domed sapphire dial is painted by hand and its engraved grooves are filled with gold powder deftly showcases Girard-Perregaux’s artistry. Exquisitely graceful, the 2016 “Chamber of Wonders” delicately displays artistic techniques that have been passed down for generations, forming the source of the most daring challenges on a backdrop of history.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...                       BIG FOTO




























 ----------------------------------------------
Technical Specifications

Collection: The Chamber of Wonders

Reference: 49534-52-R21-BB6 Model: Center of the Universe Earth
Reference: 49534-52-R22-BB6 Model: Center of the Universe Sun
Reference: 49534-52-R23-BB6 Model: Celestial Globe

Limited edition of 18 pieces

Case
Material: pink gold
Diameter: 40.00 mm
Height: 9.94 mm
Glass: sapphire anti-reflective
Case-back: sapphire crystal.
Hands: leaf-shaped
Water resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM)
Dials
  • Center of the Universe Earth: aventurine, lapis, mother-of-pearl and hand-painting
  • Center of the Universe Sun: grey jade, cornelian, orange aventurine and pale orange jasper and hand-painting
  • Celestial globe: sapphire crystal dome and hand-painting
Movement
Mechanical with automatic winding
Calibre: Reference: GP03300-0060
Diameter: 25.60 mm (111/2’’’)
Height: 4.20 mm
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
Number of components: 205
Jewels: 26
Power reserve: min. 46 hours
Functions: hour, minute
Strap
Material: stitched black alligator
Buckle: pink gold pin buckle

-------------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Girard Perregaux
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.Girard-Perregaux.com