Wednesday, February 6, 2013

FRANCK MULLER - Tourbillon RAPIDE

















FRANCK MULLER - Tourbillon RAPIDE Skeleton


FRANCK MULLER’S WORLD PRESENTATIONOF HAUTE HORLOGERIE:THE 21ST EDITION WAS AN ABSOLUTE SUCCESS

The World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie (WPHH) racks up the stellar performances.
After an unforgettable 2012 show at the Forum Grimaldi in Monaco, the 21st edition of this impressive event hosted by Franck Muller from January 20th to the 25th 2013 fulfilled all its promises amidst the glamorous setting of Watchland in Genthod (Geneva).
Geneva, 31 January 2013 – The 21st edition of the WPHH lived up to all the expectations of the world’s high watchmaking aficionados. For six straight days, the most exceptional timepieces captivated the attention of more than 2,500 professionals and international journalists.

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The variety of the magnificent range of the Franck Muller collections was on display for the first time in more than 600 square meters of fully dedicated exhibition space; highlighting the vast savoir faire of the group in Haute Horlogerie as well as it’s creativity in case designs and the uniqueness of its dials. There was a privileged spotlight on the group’s nine brands – Franck Muller Jewellery, Pierre Kunz, ECW, Rodolphe, Barthelay, Backes & Strauss, Martin Braun, Pierre Michel Golay, Smalto Timepieces – and their partners Cvstos and Roberto Cavalli.

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A premiere showing of watchmaking excellence
Beautifully showcased in a chic, streamlined decor, Franck Muller’s latest creations sparked keen interest from the elite connoisseurs of unusual timepieces. The spectacular Tourbillon Rapide Thunderbolt deserves a special mention for being named the 2012 Technical Breakthrough by Singapore’s trade magazine Revolution. Entirely designed and manufactured in Geneva, this hand-crafted technical masterpiece claims to be the world’s fastest tourbillon with a blistering rotation completed every 5 seconds.

Movement - Tourbillon Rapide
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One of the show’s other superstars was the Iron Croco, rounding out the alligator collection with a steel version that reveals exquisite harmony in which the face seems to be one with the alligator wristband. The refinement of its case and the extremely detailed metal work make it the ideal wristwatch for the modern man, who enjoys turning originality into a distinguishing value. Another highly praised headliner was the sublime interpretation of the Franck Muller brand’s concurring spirit, the new GPG Conquistador Cortez. Part of the GPG Conquistador collection specially created for the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix, it perfectly illustrates the Franck Muller house’s emblematic rigor and precision in the delicate art of watchmaking. This miracle of technology and esthetic appeal respects this collection’s adventurous, competitive spirit with a minutely crafted titanium case. All three variations of this remarkable timepiece – central seconds and date display, stop watch and tourbillon –were on display at the exhibition.

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A festive yet refined event
In keeping with its reputation, the WPHH once again impressed the many visitors who came from all around the world, lured by the festive yet refined ambiance of this now must-visit ultra-high-end trade show. Beyond the pleasure of discovering rare and never-seen-before models, the WPHH consistently proves its extraordinary sense of how to host an unforgettable event – from delicious treats in the restaurant to the stylish lounge where guests can enjoy a breath-taking view of Lake Geneva. A truly singular brand that stands by its independent, trailblazing spirit and unwavering quest for perfection, Franck Muller has clearly succeeded in making the WPHH a capital of watchmaking excellence.

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The Tourbillon Rapide, with its thunderbolt-like movement is set to be the world’s fastest tourbillon escapement. This meticulously engineered timepiece clearly reflects the expertise of the Research and Development team at Franck Muller.
Powered by four barrels, the tourbillon cage makes one full rotation every 5 seconds on a ceramic ball bearing. This translates to 12 rotations per minute, making it 12 times faster than the average tourbillons available in the market today.
The rotating frame is characterized by the patented FM escapement with a fixed escapement wheel and reversed anchor and balance wheel. The entirely in-house manufactured ‘Breguet hairspring’ further boosts this technical marvel.
The movement, completely designed and conceptualized in-house, makes 21’600 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 60 hours. It is finished with a fine combination of engraving, rhodium plating, graining and hand-beveling.
Available in the 18-carat gold Curvex case, this Tourbillon Rapide truly makes Franck Muller not only the Master of Complications, but also the Master of Tourbillons.

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Technical details

Model: TOURBILLON RAPIDE

Ref  - 7889 T F SQT BR

Caliber: FM 2025T
Movement: Mechanical, Manual winding tourbillon, Four barrels
Dimensions of Movement: Width: 32.20 mm X Length: 38.40 mm X Height: 8.50 mm

Tourbillon rotating frame: One revolution in 5 seconds on ceramic ball bearing,
patented FM escapement with fixed escapement wheel and reversed anchor,
balance wheel with adjustment screws without index, in-house manufactured Breguet hairspring
Display: Hours and minutes
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Frequency: 21’600 vibrations/ hour, 3 Hz
Number of Components: 231
Number of Jewels: 29
Movement decoration: Engraving, Rhodium plating, Circular graining, hand-bevelling

Case: Cintrée Curvex: 18 carat gold
Case dimensions: Width: 55.05 mm X Length: 40.65 mm x Height: 13.70 mm
Winding crown: 2 positions: 1 - Manual winding and 2 - Time setting
Dial: Skeleton
Strap: Hand-sewn black alligator strap



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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

GREUBEL FORSEY - Double Balancier 35° White Golg

















GREUBEL FORSEY - Double Balancier 35° White Golg NEW

Greubel Forsey presents the first Double Balancier in Watchmaking

A true first in Horology, The Greubel Forsey Double Balancier 35° features two inclined fixed-oscillators.
This unique regulating system comprises two inclined oscillators and escapements. They are driven through a spherical differential, which provides the average of their rates via the gear train to the time display.

Fundamental Research Since 1999
Since 1999, when Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey began their ground-breaking research into inclined oscillators, they concentrated first on the great challenges of those mounted in rotating cages and then continued at the start of the 21st Century into studying inclined fixed oscillators.




















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The first working prototype from Greubel Forsey’s 6th fundamental invention with inclined escapement was initially a movement with two inclined oscillators, each at 20° and this was unveiled at Baselworld in 2009. This superimposed concept resulted in an exclusive six timepiece edition under the Greubel Forsey EWT label in 2011.

Consequently the timepiece presented today is an evolution from this first concept. The two inclined oscillators are no longer superimposed, but are spatially disposed in different three dimensional planes.






Chronometry

Stemming from many years of fundamental research into the inclination of oscillators and escapements, the Double Balancier 35° offers a significant approach to improve chronometric timing performance for the wristwatch, both on and off the wrist

A movement with two oscillators inclined in different three dimensional planes offers two notable factors in the pursuit for improved chronometric performance. Firstly the inclined oscillators act in stabilised positions to significantly reduce the possibility to be in either a horizontal (flat) or vertical position.The second is that the two inclined fixed oscillators are linked by a spherical differential that averages rating differences and ensures an optimal performance at all times whether in stabilised ( horizontal or vertical) positions or dynamically (on the wrist) .
Greubel Forsey’s fundamental research into oscillators working in inclined planes was confirmed by the precision chronometric results of the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique which took first place in the 2011 International Chronometry Competition.

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Architecture

Signature Greubel Forsey skeletonised gold hands with high-legibility Super-LumiNova tips indicate the time against a polished black-oxidised gold chapter ringBetween the two visible inclined balances of the Double Balancier 35°, the small seconds at 7 o’clock displays the running instantaneous average of the two regulators, while a 72-hour power reserve indicator at 2 o’clock keeps track of the optimal power available from the two co-axial, fast-rotating mainspring barrels.
The 35° inclination of the inclined balances allows for larger diameter balance wheels (better inertia for more stable timekeeping) in a very comfortably-sized 43.5mm case.

The Greubel Forsey Double Balancier 35° is a one-off unique edition of just six pieces in an18k white gold caseensuring exclusivity.


Fine Finishing and Aesthetics
As with all Greubel Forsey timepieces, the level of hand-finishing and decoration throughout the Double Balancier 35° is without compromise. Movement components are designed with forms that bring out their beauty to maximum effect, offering myriad sublime details to be discovered and esteemed. Frosted plates, black flat polished steel and stunning hand-polished bevels with sharp internal angles (which machines cannot do as well as a highly experienced hand) bring unparalleled vivacity. Large jewels set in polished gold chatons, and mirror-polished screws provide evidence of the extremely high quality that pervades every aspect of this timepiece.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Thecomplete manual winding movement comprises 365 components,
28 of which make up the spherical differential.
It is powered by two concentric fast-rotating mainspring barrels thatprovide optimal power for72 hours.
The two oscillators feature variable inertia balance wheels,
Phillips terminal curves and beat at 3Hz/21,600 APH.
Plates and bridges are in nickel silver, frosted and spotted, with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks and anthracite treatment (NAC).

The case is available in 18k white gold,measures 43.5 mm in diameter by 14.35 mm high and featuressynthetic sapphire crystals on the dial side and for the display back.
Three-dimensional, variable geometry shaped lugs, screwed fixing, raised polished engraving “Double Balancier 35°” on a hand-punched background, gold security screws, two engraved hand-finished white gold plates screwed to the caseand and a hand-engraved individual number.
The black alligator strap is hand stitched with a white gold folding clasp.

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Technical Specifications

Brand:     Greubel Forsey
Collection:     Special models/Others
Model:     Double Balancier 35°
Reference:     Keine
Movement:     Hand-wound
Caliber:     GF04s2
Basecaliber:     GF04s2
Gender:     Male
Casematerial:     White Gold
Caseshape:     Round
Diameter:     43.50 mm
Thickness:     14.34 mm
Waterproof:     3 bar / 30 m
Glass:     Sapphire glass
Casing bottom:  Sapphire glass
Strapmaterial:    Leather





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