Sunday, February 16, 2014

Carl F. Bucherer – MANERO ChronoPerpetual Limited Edition
















Carl F. BuchererMANERO ChronoPerpetual Limited Edition NEW

Because of its complexity and mechanical refinement, the perpetual calendar, which shows the date, day of the week, month, and moon phase without requiring correction, remains a technical challenge that only a handful of watchmakers have mastered. The mechanism knows the differing lengths of months and the timing of the next leap year, thereby successfully countering the quirks of the Gregorian calendar.

In the year 46 BC, the astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria developed the basic principles for today’s calendar. He divided the year into twelve months, with seven months of 31 days, four months of 30 days, one month of 28 or 29 days, resulting in 365.25 days per year, and with one additional day every four years as a correction. Thanks to the great Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, use of this system became widespread throughout the entire world. However, this “Julian” calendar contained an error of 0.0078 days per year, a discrepancy which was corrected by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. In the system which bears his name, a leap year is left out every 100 years except in round centuries which have a number of years divisible by 400. This Gregorian calendar is still used today, forming the foundation for the way we measure time.

Masterwork of craftsmanship
Anyone who wears a mechanical watch with a date display will be familiar with the problems caused by months of differing lengths, particularly in leap years. Because simple, standard calendar mechanisms always switch from the 30th to the 31st, the date has to be moved forward manually to the first after months with fewer days. A perpetual calendar mechanism, however, is able to correctly handle these transitions independently, even factoring in leap years. The complexity of this mechanism demands the ultimate in watchmaking craftsmanship, and is appropriately referred to as the “grand complication”. Manual correction will not be necessary until the year 2100, when – as in all years divisible by 100, but not by 400 – one leap year will be skipped.

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For all lovers of this traditional masterpiece of the watchmaker’s art, Carl F. Bucherer now presents a limited edition of the Manero ChronoPerpetual featuring a unique combination of chronograph and perpetual calendar. The Manero ChronoPerpetual is a true wonder of the art of watchmaking, with a perpetual calendar date display at 12 o’clock, day of the week at 6 o’clock, month and leap year at 9 o’clock, and moon phase at 3 o’clock – all of which do not require correction. The functional module specially developed for Carl F. Bucherer also features a precision chronograph with the popular flyback function. A tachymeter scale on the bezel completes the range of practical functionalities for which Carl F. Bucherer is famous. A movement from Vaucher Manufacture, which features a contemporary design in the distinctive style of the Lucerne watch brand, forms an exclusive basis.

Visual clarity, perfection of form

Despite this multiplicity of functions and displays, Carl F. Bucherer has ensured optimum readability of the dial on the Manero ChronoPerpetual Limited Edition. The designers met this challenge by giving it generous dimensions, different levels, and various surface finishes. The chronograph counters for the hours (6 o’clock), minutes (9 o’clock), and small running seconds hand (12 o’clock) are distinctively and attractively integrated into the striking recessed calendar displays, while fine lines provide the necessary readability and the slender stopwatch hand in the center marks counted seconds.

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The traditional complication of the perpetual calendar has been reinterpreted in contemporary fashion through wedge-shaped hour index marks, the expressive numbering so characteristic of Carl F. Bucherer, and tapering Super-LumiNova-coated hour and minute hands. The chronograph hands are either a discreet black or rose gold in color. The center of the classic silver-colored or black dial is matte, while the chronograph counters and minute division ring are brushed, creating an attractive play of light. The moon phase indicator is modern and functional in design, featuring an anthracite-colored background and a silver-colored moon disk.

This timelessly functional look is expertly continued in the case crafted of fine rose gold. The bezel is concave in shape, the sapphire crystal is domed, and the crown and polished chronograph push-pieces of 18-carat rose gold are elegantly simple. The case back with integrated sapphire crystal gives a clear view of the mechanical jewel featuring a 22-carat rose gold oscillating weight.

Another reason for the extreme exclusivity of the Manero ChronoPerpetual Limited Edition is the fact that only 100 will be made worldwide. With this latest piece in the Manero collection, Carl F. Bucherer has succeeded in creating a watch for connoisseurs who delight in masterworks of traditional watchmaking that unite maximum functionality with a timelessly classic, restrained look.

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Manero ChronoPerpetual


Reference No. 00.10907.03.13.01
Movement:
  • power reserve 50 h
  • 49 jewels
  • depth 7.6 mm
  • diameter 30 mm
  • Caliber CFB 1904
  • automatic 
Functions:
  • hour
  • minute
  • small seconds
  • flyback
  • leap year
  • chronograph: hours, minutes and seconds counters
  • perpetual calender with month, date, day of the week
  • moon phase
  • tachymeter
Dial:
                   silver-colored
Case:
  • depth 14.3 mm
  • diameter 42.5 mm
  • water-resistant to 30 m (3 atm)
  • case back with sapphire crystal
  • sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides
  • 18 K rose gold
Strap:
  • hand-stitched Louisiana alligator skin brown leather
  • pin buckle 18 K rose gold
Limitation edition:
100 pieces
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Press center
Carl F. Bucherer
Langensandstrasse 27
CH-6002 Lucerne
Tel. +41 41 369 70 70
Fax +41 41 369 70 72
E-mail: presscenter@carl-f-bucherer.com
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Saturday, February 15, 2014

JEANRICHARD – Aquascope JAPAN

















JEANRICHARD AQUASCOPE JAPAN NEW

JEANRICHARD launches new Aquascope timepiece
To celebrate 150 years of Swiss-Japanese diplomatic relations


Tokyo, JAPAN (February 6, 2014) – The Swiss watchmaker JEANRICHARD launched today the latest addition to its Aquascope collection. This new timepiece was conceived to celebrate the 150 years of Swiss-Japanese relations in 2014. Its special dial design is derived from a well-known Japanese woodblock print by renowned artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760 – 1849). “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is amongst his best known works from “The Thirty-Six Vews of Mount Fuji”.


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“We are proud to unveil this special model as a homage to this anniversary between Switzerland and Japan”, said Bruno Grande, CEO of JEANRICHARD. “As Daniel Jeanrichard is the first Swiss watchmaker to have ever built a watch movement back in 1681, we appreciate the pioneering spirit of the delegation that came to Japan 150 years ago. It is easily imagined that the delegation was strongly driven by their passion for success and pursuit to achieve something extraordinary. And what better way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the two countries than to create unique timepieces by a Swiss watchmaker that pays respect to one of Japan’s greatest artists ever – Katsushika Hokusai”.

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Katsuhika Hokusai (1760 – 1849) is probably the best ukiyo-e artist in Japanese history. Hokusai produced a tremendous amount of outstanding prints and paintings which have made him famous over the years.

AQUASCOPE
"From the age of five I have had a mania for sketching the forms of things. From about the age of fifty I produced a number of designs, yet of all I drew prior to the age of seventy there is truly nothing of great note. At the age of seventy-two I finally apprehended something of the true quality of birds, animals, insects, fish and of the vital nature of grasses and trees. Therefore, at eighty I shall have made some progress, at ninety I shall have penetrated even further the deeper meaning of things, at one hundred I shall have become truly marvellous, and at one hundred and ten, each dot, each line shall surely possess a life of its own. I only beg that gentlemen of sufficiently long life take care to note the truth of my words."
-(Hokusai)-

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Hokusai was a man who pursued his art all his life. Lived his life to the fullest, savouring the best of each moment. He is a man who enjoyed everyday adventurers, authenticity and who made no compromises, be that on quality or on design. Hokusai had an independent spirit, scorned conventions and played by his own rules, travelling off the beaten paths. – Qualities of a true JEANRICHARD man - perfectly matching JEANRICHARD’s Philosophy of Life brand concept.

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ABOUT 150 years of Swiss-Japanese relations

It was 150 years ago on February 6, 1864, when a Friendship and Trade Treaty was signed between Switzerland and Japan. It was in the final years of the Edo period (1602-1868) when Japan opened its boarders to foreign trade. Aimé Humbert-Droz, a native of Neuchâtel, was mandated in April 1861 by the Swiss Federal Council to conduct an official delegation to Japan with the intention to seize this opportunity to open new markets for the Swiss watch industry and the textile manufacturers in Eastern Switzerland. A proponent of liberalism, Humbert served as president of the Watchmakers Association and was a member of the Swiss Council of States. He ultimately played an instrumental role in concluding the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Switzerland and Japan. Humbert landed in Yokohama harbor on April 27, 1863, on the Dutch warship Medusa. From his arrival onward, he tirelessly pursued negotiations with the Japanese authorities. Finally, on February 6, 1864, representatives from the Tokugawa shogunate and Humbert's delegation signed the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce - the eighth such treaty signed by Japan with a foreign country. As a consequence, Swiss trading houses in Yokohama were among the leading exporters of Japanese silk in the 19th century and in return, Switzerland exported fabrics and watches in significant quantities. The trade of Swiss watches to Japan flourished ever since.

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About JEANRICHARD

JEANRICHARD watches have been conceived for all those who enjoy challenges, revel in the unknown, and would like to live their lives to the fullest, savouring the best of each moment. These are the everyday adventurers, who enjoy authenticity and will make no compromises, be that on quality or on design. They are independent spirits who scorn conventions and play by their own rules, travelling off the beaten paths. The art of life JEANRICHARD timepieces come in four different collections, each paying tribute to the elements of our universe: Terrascope, Aquascope, Aeroscope and 1681. Earth, water, air, plus the fire of passion that has inspired our brand for over three centuries and has excited sophisticated globetrotters every day anew.
The different collections are to be found on: www.jeanrichard.com.

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ABOUT Katsuhika Hokusai (1760-1849)

Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist, ukiyo-e painter and printmaker of the Edo period. He was influenced by such painters as Sesshu, and other styles of Chinese painting Born in Edo (now Tokyo), Hokusai is best known as author of the woodblock print series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, which includes the internationally recognized print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, created during the 1820s.

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Technical specifications
Ref: 60400-11E202-FK6A

Polished and vertically satin-finished stainless steel case
Circular satin-finished stainless steel bezel

Unidirectional rotating bezel
44.00 mm
Height: 13.05 mm
Antireflective sapphire crystal
Case-back, screwed-down, engraved
Screwed-down crown
Water-resistant to 300 m
Movement JR60, self-winding
Calibre: 11 ½’’’
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)
Jewels: 26
Power reserve: minimum 38 hours
Functions: hour, minute, second, date
White, grey, blue or black “Hokusai” style engraved dial
Applied rhodium-coated indexes with luminescent material
Rhodium-coated hands with luminescent material
Blue or black rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet
Stainless steel folding or butterfly buckle

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