Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Ulysse-Nardin - Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture
















Ulysse-Nardin - Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture Limited Edition NEW


The Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture celebrates the interplay of light and innovation.

Ulysse Nardin unveils its first timepiece featuring an exclusive skeleton tourbillon caliber. Incorporating the very latest silicon technology, it is an exquisite expression of the brand's pioneering spirit.

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An independent watchmaker specializing in innovative techniques, Ulysse Nardin unveils the Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture, its first timepiece featuring a skeleton caliber that has been fully developed and manufactured in-house. With this watch, the Le Locle-based Manufacture combines cutting-edge technology with an aesthetic exploration of the themes of transparency and simplicity. The Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture is an impressive and unique contemporary timepiece that pays tribute to the brand’s prestigious past.

Purity and transparency.

Skeletonizing is a subtle art that requires both watchmaking know-how and an artistic sensibility. The aim is to reveal the inner workings of the movement by reducing the structure of components to a bare minimum, allowing light to penetrate freely through. Ulysse Nardin’s Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture is a brilliant example of this endeavor.

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The watchmaker’s new movement has been specially developed for this occasion, and instantly seduces with its refined architecture and perfectly balanced proportions. The barrel at 12 o’clock mirrors the escapement placed at 6 o’clock. Above the latter is a ratchet wheel engraved with the brand name, insignia and the power reserve. Surfaces are decorated with an eye-catching contrast of bead-blasted and polished finishes. Color variations enhance the visual interest of metallic components. Crimson rubies sparkle among the hand-beveled bridges embellished with a satin-finish “sunray" decoration.


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On the version with a red gold case, each train wheel is rhodium-plated, while those of the platinum version are finished in glowing straw-colored 18-carat yellow gold. The blue of the steel screws echoes the azure tone of the silicon components. The specially designed hands are inspired by a gently curved leaf shape and are skeletonized at their tips. Recalling a Ulysse Nardin caliber from 1922, the back bears a screwed-in plate engraved with the serial number, making each timepiece unique.

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Cutting-edge technique.

Since it was founded in 1846, Ulysse Nardin has distinguished itself with its pioneering approach. The accuracy and quality of its timepieces have forged an unrivalled reputation for the brand in the rarefied world of fine watchmaking. Perpetuating this spirit, Ulysse Nardin has been a forerunner in the use of silicon, which it featured in a watch for the first time in 2001.






























The Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture is an elegant showcase for this exceptional know-how: nestled within the hand-wound mechanical movement is a flying tourbillon that comprises a balance spring, anchor and escapement wheel made from silicon. The power reserve offers an impressive duration of 170 hours.
































The Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture is available in two limited editions: 99 pieces in red gold and 99 pieces in platinum.


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Technical Data

Reference 1702-129 red gold
Reference 1709-129 platinum
Movement 
Caliber UN-170 Manufacture,
23 jewels, 18’000 V/H
Power-Reserve 
Approx. 170 h
Winding
Manual Winding
Functions 
Hours and minutes
Case 
Red gold or platinum
Dimensions
44 mm
Water-resistance
30 m
Crystal
Antireflective sapphire crystal
Case-back
Sapphire crystal
Band
Alligator leather with simple buckle

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Ateliers deMonaco - La Sirene Limited Edition















Ateliers deMonaco - La Sirene Limited Edition


 When Mrs Charlene Wittstock visited Ateliers deMonaco during our launch a couple of years ago, she jokingly asked when we were planning to launch a female collection. We promised her to start the development the next day, and…..we actually did.


IDEA
La Sirene, a piece that celebrates our first entry in the women’s high end watch jewelry and which is named and inspired by Mrs Charlene Wittstock in honor of her marriage to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

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INSPIRATION

For the design of the dial we have used The King Protea (Protea cynaroides), the national flower of South Africa - home country of Charlene. It is a distinctive symmetrical form with the flower head in the genus. Importantly, the flower has adapted to survive tough conditions, including wild fires, and as such symbolizes resilience.

For the gemstones in the flower setting, we have chosen a light blue Topaz. This gemstone, together with its cousin aquamarine, is loved by women around the world for its fine blue shades which can complement almost any skin or eye color. Its light blue arouses feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship. Good feelings. Feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships. The blue is a divine, eternal color, because it is the color of the sky. Blue is also the color of water with its life-giving force, and importantly the Olympic swimming career of Charlene brought her in contact with her future husband! The stone was introduced in high end jewelry in the 1920-30s in magnificent set of necklace, earrings, bracelet and brooch using light and dark topazes to create dramatic contrast and light reflection. The topaz is reputed to ward off melancholy, bring wisdom and prevent its wearer from straying from the path of virtue.  All in all, what better combination to use to celebrate the beginning of a marriage!

THE WATCH

We developed a 39 mm 18K gold case vs. the 43mm and 44mm cases in the Grand Tourbillon XP and the Minute Repeater. For the movement, we created an accurate automatic movement with the use of contemporary materials like Silicium, and with the finishing you have come to expect from us, including the iconic deMonaco hand engraved rotor at the reverse side.

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THE NAME

Ask anybody in the streets of Monaco and they will refer to Charlene is “La Sirène”, out of respect of her swimming achievement and some will add her deep azure-blue eyes.

LIMITED PRODUCTION

We will only produce in limited quantities, as it depends on our ability to find the appropriate gem stones.

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Technical details
Movement
Automatic Centre Seconds
Automatic bi-directional winding
Curved chamfered decoration on bridges
Hand engraved bi-colored solid gold 18K rotor
Silicium escape wheel
Frequency 28800 beats/hour (4 Hrz)
Functions
Hour, Minutes, centre seconds
Case
Diameter 39 MM
Height 11 MM
Bezel set with 46 baguette cut Topaz stones (4.25 Carat)
31 parts overall
Ultra light Titanium core
Curved shaped 18K gold side panels
Brushed, polished and assembled by hand
See through case back
Front and back sapphire crystal
Multi-layered anti-reflection coating on sapphire crystal
Hand engraved case back, secured with 4 gold screws
18K white gold crown set with Topaz (0.13 Carat)
Water resistant up to 3 ATM
Dial
48 Lozenge cut Topaz stones (1.61) set in flower pattern
White mother of pearl in centre
Hands: 18K white gold hands
Strap
Ateliers deMonaco personalized hand stitched alligator strap
18K gold folding buckle, adjustable
Folding clasp lock finished with curved chamfered edges engraved Ateliers deMonaco
Edition
Limited to 8 pieces

Price: Depending on the gem stones, from 80.000

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Press release PDF
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Elisabeth van Pappelendam
PR & Operations Manager
Betty@ateliers-demonaco.com
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