Saturday, September 13, 2014

Fonderie 47 – Inversion Principle Red Gold Limited Edition















Fonderie 47Inversion Principle Red Gold Limited Edition NEW

Profile Peter Thum, founder of Fonderie 47 

Fonderie 47 CEO and founder Peter Thum began his business career with Gallo Winery and McKinsey & Company before becoming a social entrepreneur. Visits to Africa highlighted the widespread health issues caused by the lack of clean water and led Thum to launch the bottled water brand 'Ethos Water' in 2003 to fund safe-water projects in Africa.
Starbucks bought Ethos Water in 2005 and after the sale, Thum served as Vice President of Starbucks Corporation, operating the Ethos Water business, and as a Director of the Starbucks Foundation. Ethos Water has helped around half a million people around the world to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

























While visiting safe water projects in Africa, Thum became aware of the problems caused by widespread availability of assault rifles, in particular the ubiquitous AK47. He decided to launch a luxury brand − something sending a positive message and far removed from the destructive arms − the profits from which would be used to destroy and eliminate these weapons. In 2009 Fonderie 47 was launched, a venture that transforms AK47s from Africa into rare jewelry and exclusive high-end Swiss timepieces, which in turn fund the destruction of more weapons − over 30,000 destroyed to date.
Peter Thum also founded and is President of the non-profit Giving Water, which has helped over 6,000 schoolchildren in Africa to gain water and sanitation access and is Board Director of The Fund for Global Human Rights and an adviser to FEED Projects.





Fonderie 47 background

Fonderie 47 − 'fonderie' is French for foundry (for melting and casting metal),'47' for AK47 − was founded in 2009 by Peter Thum with the goal of reducing the number of destabilizing assault weapons in Africa. Thum realized the enormous problem these weapons created, having met boys and young men armed with assault rifles, and the victims of these weapons, while developing clean water projects in east Africa.




















There are millions of assault weapons in Africa. A large majority of these are AK47 variants. In Africa, assault rifles cost about 70% less than anywhere else in the world. While prices of AK47s have generally risen worldwide over the last three decades, they have fallen in Africa due to the sheer number of weapons and ease of availability.

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Thum decided to transform these implements of devastation into something as removed from them and as positive as possible, i.e. exclusive objects that would inspire change and fund the destruction of weapons.
The mission to create a high-end mechanical watch incorporating metal from a destroyed AK47 began even before Fonderie 47 was founded, because it quickly became clear that the development and production of a completely original complicated haute horlogerie timepiece would take many years. Fonderie 47 has also worked with some of the world’s best designers and jewelers to create artistic pieces made from AK47 steel, precious metals and jewels.
Working with the Nobel Prize winning NGO Mines Advisory Group, to date Fonderie 47 has funded the destruction of over 30,000 assault rifles in war zones in Africa.



Inversion Principle by Fonderie 47 
Central Three-Minute Flying Tourbillion, Instantaneous Jumping Hours with Quick-Set Pusher, 240° Retrograde Minutes, Lateral and Back Power Reserve Indicators

Inversion Principle is a completely original timepiece, designed by Adrian Glessing and developed and produced by David Candaux/Du Val Des Bois exclusively for Fonderie 47.
Revenues from the sale of each timepiece will be used fund the destruction of one thousand assault weapons in Africa, creating a safer environment for aid and development. This is a strategy that Peter Thum already implemented successfully in creating Ethos Water to fund clean water projects in Africa and around the world.
While Inversion Principle is first and foremost a very exclusive haute horlogerie timepiece, subtle elements and mechanisms discreetly feature key attributes of the AK47. Each timepiece incorporates a plate on the back made from the transformed steel of a destroyed assault weapon.

Inversion Principle had to reflect the finest Swiss watchmaking traditions; our principles and our mission; and be truly innovative all at the same time. That was no easy task, but thanks to a great team, I think we well and truly achieved that aim.” Peter Thum (Fonderie 47 founder)

Inversion Principle: Orbiting on high above the movement, the central 3-minute flying tourbillon dominates the three-dimensional dial and mesmerizes the eye. Three second-hands, equally spaced 120° apart around the tourbillon cage, arc sedately across the seconds-scale above the tourbillon and 'Fonderie 47': 'Sedately' because tourbillon revolves at just 1/3 of the speed of a traditional one-minute tourbillon. While only one second-hand is visible at any time − the other two are hidden under the gold rifle-sight inspired frame set into the sapphire crystal − their positions are revealed by blued screws joining the outer tourbillon cage and inner three-arm hub.

“I feel one of the biggest achievements of this timepiece is the very logical way you read the time.” Adrian Glessing (Inversion Principle designer)

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A first, or even a second, glance is unlikely to divulge any obvious similarity between jumping hours, retrograde seconds and an AK47; however, avoiding blatantly obvious connections is the aim. On a more ethereal level however, gun mechanisms snap sharply and precisely into place: As does the instantaneous jumping hour at 12 o'clock as it changes the hour; and the large 240° retrograde seconds hand as it flies back to zero each hour across the bottom of the dial. Each press of the quick-set pusher in the crown advances the jumping hours by one hour.

The long 6-day power reserve has both a lateral indication via a sapphire window set into the left side of the case band and a second indication visible through the display back.
The display back reveals the stunning sunray guilloche pattern radiating out from the ratchet wheel, which is capped by a dark plate of transformed steel from a destroyed AK47. The plate is in the form of the Fonderie 47 symbol and rotates as the watch is wound. '56-3701F42', the serial number of the destroyed weapon the metal is from, is elegantly hand engraved beside the plate.

“A mentor taught me what he thought generated the fundamental values of watchmaking: The eye; the hand; and the heart. These are values that guide my work. A timepiece built around these values generates powerful emotions.” David Candaux (Inversion Principle watchmaker)

Inversion Principle is a limited edition of 20 pieces: 10 in white gold and 10 in red gold.

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Inversion Principle in detail

"Inversion Principle is the result of a group of extremely talented people willing to do things others deemed impossible, risking something of themselves in the undertaking." Peter Thum 

Movement
When Fonderie 47 founder Peter Thum first approached watchmaker/movement designer David Candaux, it was with a very ambitious request many said was impossible: Create a completely original and distinctive complicated high-end watch using the best of traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques… and it should incorporate aspects of the AK47 rifle, but without obviously looking like an AK47 style watch.

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With a three-minute central flying tourbillon, instantaneous jumping hours and retrograde minutes that snap into place in sharp, precise actions similar to gun mechanisms, and a lateral power reserve indication providing a discreet visual link to the ejection port of an AK47, Candaux delivered all that and more.

"Fonderie 47 has allowed us to create a unique timepiece, not simply for the purpose of creating a luxury watch, but for a noble purpose." David Candaux (watchmaker)

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Seen through a display back, the back of the movement features a stunning sunray guilloche pattern radiating out from the dark plate of transformed steel from a destroyed AK47 that covers the ratchet wheel. This plate turns when the watch is wound. An opening to the right of the plate offers access to adjust the power reserve mechanism, while a second small opening near the crown reveals part of the winding mechanism. The second power reserve indicator arcs across the top of the back plate.

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Dial
Inversion Principle's three-dimensional indications, rise from the 240° numbers on the flat retrograde minutes ring to the inner inclined minute markers. The blued minute hand has an inclined inner arrow following the angle of the minute marker track.
The three-handed seconds indicator on the tourbillon cage has a retrograde effect complimenting the minutes: The hands disappear after 60 on the right and appear to reappear at 0 on the left.
On either side of the jumping hour window, past and future hours can just be discerned through the translucent crystal ring that circumscribes the dial.

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Case
Ensuring that the complex indications were both easy and logical to read, and that the case and dial blended harmoniously was the role of Geneva-based watch designer, Adrian Glessing.

"We strived to represent the most classical; the most beautiful; and the most technical aspects of what the Swiss industry had to offer, and put it all into one watch." Adrian Glessing (designer)

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Myriad details, from the obvious like the gun-sight inspired bezel cross piece delineating the minutes from the central tourbillon to the subtle, like the tapering indents set into the flowing lugs, which visually minimize the height of the case height and the curve of the tourbillon cage following the curve of the sapphire crystal, all contribute to convey luxury and quality.

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Technical Specifications

Limited edition of 20 pieces: 10 in 18k White Gold, 10 in 18k Ged Gold

Key features
Central three-minute flying tourbillon; instantaneous jumping hours; 240° retrograde minutes; central seconds from tourbillon cage; crown pusher quick-set hour adjustment; six-day power reserve with both lateral and back indications; metal from transformed assault weapon.
Indications
Jumping hours, 240° retrograde minutes; central seconds on tourbillon cage; lateral power reserve indicator on case band and power reserve indicator on back
Case and strap
Material: 18k red gold (also available in 18k white gold version)
Sapphire crystal traversed by embedded gold bezel bridge framing tourbillon cage
Lateral sapphire window in case band for power reserve indicator
Dimensions: 42mm x 14.6mm
Water resistance: 30m/100’/3ATM
Dial: Translucent glass and sapphire crystal with enameled minutes and seconds
Strap and clasp: hand stitched alligator strap with gold pin buckle matching case. Brown leather with red gold case or black leather with white gold case
Movement
Caliber F47-001
Regulator: Central three-minute flying tourbillon
Tourbillon cage: gold counter weight and curved to follow sapphire crystal
Jumping hour: thin mechanism(patented)
Retrograde seconds: mechanism with light aluminum arm and precision regulator
LIGA plate: platform for tourbillon and fixed seconds wheel by Mimotech
Power reserve: six days
Balance frequency: 18,000bph (2.5Hz)
Balance spring: Breguet overcoil and distinctive balance spring stud
Jewels: 38
Steel plate from transformed AK47 − serial number'56-3701F42' − in form of Fonderie 47 brand symbolon ratchet wheel visible through display back.
Finishing: Sun ray guilloche; hand engraving; hand polished bevels; heat-blued screws and power reserve indicator on back.

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Friday, September 12, 2014

Ulysse Nardin – Marine Diver Monaco






Ulysse NardinMARINE DIVER Monaco Limited Edition NEW
Ulysse Nardin, Six-Time Principal Sponsor of the Monaco Yacht Show, Introduces the Marine Diver – Monaco Limited Edition.
In the 19th century, to protect its marine chronometers from the corrosive effect of the salty sea air and to overcome the technical challenges of a floor in constant motion, Ulysse Nardin decided to invest in time. The treasures of audacity and ingenuity it deployed have endured over the centuries. Today, Ulysse Nardin Manufacture not only pays homage to this spirit of innovation and independence that prevailed over its creation, but celebrates it with pride, perpetuating the legend.

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The official sponsor of the Monaco Yacht Show for six consecutive years, Ulysse Nardin further emphasizes its passion for the marine world with the Marine Diver – Monaco Limited Edition.
      







 

Everything about this timepiece evokes the marine world in which the Le Locle watchmaker is steeped, starting with Ulysse Nardin’s anchor emblem, proudly displayed at 2 o’clock. The dial, in blue is decorated with a sailing boat-like motif. A wave pattern can be seen on the bezel. The solid case-back reveals an engraving of a boat surrounded by the inscriptions: “Conquer the ocean” and “Monaco”. This embellishes a new case designed for extreme conditions, extended by the lugs with their taut, sleek lines.

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In terms of performance, the Marine Diver – Monaco Limited Edition requires an exceptional water resistance to 300 meters, made possible thanks to the screw-locked crown and case-back. It also features a unidirectional rotating bezel, which prevents any accidental adjustment to the dive time. For the same safety reasons, every aspect of the new Marine Diver has been designed to facilitate the reading of its precious indications: The impressive 44 mm face displays large hour-markers and hands with a white luminescent coating and a red stripe, for perfect visibility. The small seconds at 6 o'clock are also oversized, offering a reassuring sign that the watch is functioning as it should, even in the water’s murky depths. Lastly, the claw-shaped rubber molding over the crown ensures it is easy to grip.

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In terms of performance, the Marine Diver – Monaco Limited Edition requires an exceptional water resistance to 300 meters, made possible thanks to the screw-locked crown and case-back. It also features a unidirectional rotating bezel, which prevents any accidental adjustment to the dive time. For the same safety reasons, every aspect of the new Marine Diver has been designed to facilitate the reading of its precious indications: The impressive 44 mm face displays large hour-markers and hands with a white luminescent coating and a red stripe, for perfect visibility. The small seconds at 6 o'clock are also oversized, offering a reassuring sign that the watch is functioning as it should, even in the water’s murky depths. Lastly, the claw-shaped rubber molding over the crown ensures it is easy to grip.

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Powered by the self-winding caliber UN-26 and with a power reserve of 42 hours, the Marine Diver - Monaco Limited Edition displays, in addition to its time functions, the date in an aperture at 6 o’clock and the power reserve in a counter at 12 o’clock.
 Limited to 100 pieces, engraved and numerated, available with a rubber strap in blue and red, it is both a highly reliable diving instrument and a fine sports watch that can be worn on every occasion

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Technical Specifications

Reference: 263-10-3/93_MON Marine Diver Monaco Limited Edition 100 pieces 
Blue dial, rubber strap in blue and red

Movement:
Caliber 11½" UN-26
Power reserve: Approximately 42 hours
Winding: Self-winding
Functions:
Hours, minutes,
Power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock
Small seconds and round date window at 6 o’clock
Case:
Stainless steel
Dial: With sailing boat pattern and “Monaco 2014” mention
Diameter: 44 mm
Bezel: Unidirectional rotating bezel
Crown: Screw-down security crown
Water-resistance: 300 m
Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Case-back: Engraved with a sailing boat and “Monaco” mention
Strap:
Exclusive rubber strap with titanium elements and deployant clasp
Limited to 100 pieces

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