Thursday, December 18, 2014

MONTBLANC – Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum

MONTBLANC Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum 2015

Pre-SIHH 2015

Innovative Worldtime for the elegant traveller

In homage to the spirit of the legendary Montblanc Meisterstück Fountain Pen launched in 1924, Montblanc introduced a new watch collection to honour its 90th anniversary in 2014. From 2015 onwards this collection will assume its future position among the Montblanc watch families as the Heritage Spirit Collection.

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Embodying all the codes of fine watchmaking down to the last and smallest detail it bears the signature of traditional craftsmanship, timeless design and flawless functionality. Based on refined design codes, the collection includes timepieces with elegant, clear dials and refined cases expressing the dna of fine watchmaking. Up to the grand complication, each model in the Montblanc Heritage Spirit collection makes its own statement, all timepieces being meticulously crafted.

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The collection is enhanced by a new model that highlights again the ambition of Montblanc to share the passion for fine watchmaking. The Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum interprets one of the most contemporary and useful complications - the world time function - in a new, innovative way. The earth is anchored at the core of this complication, that is named Orbis Terrarum, the Latin term for “globe”, “earth”, and “world”. This timepiece adopts a universal approach, telling the time in 24 timezones all over the world, thanks to a manufacture complication developed in-house by the Montblanc master watchmakers.

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The inspiration for this complication came likewise from the history of horology and from Montblanc’s watchmaking past. The “Montres à eclipses”- watches that had multiple layers of dials that could change their functionality or aesthetics - were some of the most fascinating complications at the beginning of the 20th century. Always reaching towards the pinnacle of its craft, Montblanc has developed a strong expertise for working on complications by using multiple layers – two examples manifesting this expertise being the Metamorphosis II launched in 2014 or the Rieussec Rising Hours from 2012.

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The complication of the Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum is simple to read and easy to use, displaying the time in different parts of the world in a practical and intuitive way. The dial is constructed in a multi-layer way. At its centre, the main sapphire crystal dial displays the continents as viewed from the North Pole which are encircled by the names of the 24 cities representing the different timezones. The continents are cut out from the rest of the disc that displays the oceans in a light blue colour. Under the main dial is a disc showing day and night as well as the 24 hours timezones, which rotates with the movement mechanism. To adjust the time, the desired local city needs to be first positioned at 6 o’clock by the aid of the pusher at 8 o’clock.

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Then the hours and minutes (which are always linked with the day/night and 24 hours timezones disc) can be adjusted through the crown to adjust the correct local time of the desired city. Once this is done, in addition to the correct local time the correct time of all the 24 timezones will simultaneously be displayed around the sapphire crystal dial When travelling to another timezone, the new destination city simply needs to be placed at 6 o’clock.

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This adjustment is again done through the pusher at 8 o’clock which will turn at the same time the continents and cities, the day/night disc with the 24 hours timezones as well as the hour hand in jumps of 1 hour. The precise time of the minutes is not affected. Once this simple regulation is done, the local time of the new destination as well as the 24 timezones will be fully synchronized again.

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Due to the innovative multi-layer dial construction, the times of all 24 timezones can be indicated. A day/night disc shows at a glance where it is day or night on the planet. The rotation of this disc changes the colours of the continents as seen on the dial, alternately from light (day) to dark (night). This innovative functional principle is rare to find in fine watchmaking.

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The watch is driven by a self-winding mechanical movement, calibre MB29.20, beating at the frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 hertz) with the exclusive complication developed in-house by Montblanc.

Like all timepieces of the Heritage Spirit Collection, the Montblanc Heritage Spirit “Orbis Terrarum” expresses the codes of fine watchmaking in every detail:
A 41mm case with refined and straight lines, a narrow convexly round bezel, anti-reflective cambered sapphire crystal, vertically descending flanks with horizontal satin finishing that beautifully contrast with the polished case, finely arcing horns, polished faceted hands in the classical dauphine shape, a crown with the Montblanc emblem in raised relief against a sand-blasted background, and a large-scale black alligator wristband with a triple folding clasp, for maximum comfort.
Montblanc shares its passion for fine watchmaking with the presentation of the new Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum model, an innovative model with an attractive value proposition.

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TECHINCAL SPECIFICATIONS


Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum
 

Ident. 112308
 
Movement  
Calibre: MB 29.20
Type of movement: Mechanical movement with automatic winding mechanism
No. of rubies: 26
Power reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Balance: Flat hoop
Frequency: 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
Hairspring: Flat
Displays
Hours and minutes from the centre,
Worldtime indication with 24 hour time zones and integrated day & night display
Features
Case: 

Stainless steel, polished bezel,
Horizontal satin finishing on middle piece,
Worldtime pusher at “8 o’clock”
Crystal: Scratch-resistant, domed and antireflective sapphire crystal
Back: Stainless steel back with inset pane of sapphire crystal
Dimensions:
Diameter = 41 mm ;
Height = 12 mm
Watertightness: 3 bar
Crown: Stainless steel crown with Montblanc emblem in raised relief
Dial
Sapphire crystal dial showing the Northern Hemisphere and 24 cities of the 24 hour time zones,
24 hour-disc with day and night display that turns under the sapphire crystal dial,
 rhodium-plated polished and satinated dauphine hands
Wristband  
Black alligator-skin strap with triple folding clasp
Also available with a stainless steel bracelet or in a 18 K red gold version.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

CLERC – Hydroscaph H140 Carbon Limited Edition Chronograph
















CLERC Hydroscaph H140 Carbon Limited Edition Chronograph NEW

Press Release | December 2014
 
140 year dedicated to avant-garde technology

Since 1874, Haute Horlogerie according to Clerc Genève has been firmly geared towards innovation. Reflecting the visionary mind-set of Gérald Clerc who represents the 4th generation, the new Hydroscaph H140 Carbon Limited Edition Chronograph is no exception to the rule. It notably features  an exclusive central-display chronograph movement and a  high-tech case designed to be fully functional in deep waters and made of DLC-coated steel together with CCFC carbon – probably the material of horology 3.0. Issued in a 140-piece limited edition to mark the anniversary of the Geneva-based Maison, this exploring machine water-resistant to 500 metres is liable to quicken the pulse of all thrill-seekers.  


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The story begins 140 years ago in Paris, where Clerc began producing fabulous individually crafted and assembled pocket watches issued in small series, thereby instating a tradition that has endured to this day. Ever since, the Clercs have faithfully perpetuated this spirit of excellence while keeping step with the sweeping changes that saw watches graduate from the pocket to the wrist. The Maison Clerc’s creations found favour with artists including Salvador Dali, Paco Rabanne and Maurice Chevalier. Statesman General de Gaulle even ordered a one-of-a-kind model – a fascinating clock depicting the globe – which he presented as an official state gift to Nikita Khrushchev in the 1950s.

During that same period, the Maison Clerc started producing its first diver’s watches, which were already authentic exploring machines equipped with hermetically sealed innovative cases providing an airlock for the movement thanks to thick glasses, impressively sturdy gaskets and robust screw-down case-backs. At a time when the vogue of underwater expeditions was in full swing, Clerc watches fully met the demands of professionals by remaining imperturbably water-resistant and operational despite the strong pressures to which they were subjected. With the release of Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s film The Silent World, the general public also soon discovered these hitherto little-known deep waters. Scuba diving gradually became more accessible and its popularity has steadily increased ever since. Gérald Clerc also caught the ‘virus’ and regards the conquest of the depths as the most formidable human adventure of all time. The first watch collection created by Gérald Clerc in 1998 was to give rise to the successful collection that delights fans around the world. 

Innovation-driven 

While he is heir to a 140-year legacy dedicated to Haute Horlogerie, Gérald Clerc is first and foremost resolutely future-oriented. He has never been interested in re-editing the past, but instead sees history as a foundation on which to build tomorrow’s watchmaking. In tune with his determination to stay one  challenge ahead of the rest, he thus imagined the new Hydroscaph H140 Carbon Limited Edition Chronograph.

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Its technical and powerful case is not only made of DLC-coated steel – a tough and scratch-resistant treatment – but also features a new high-tech material called CCFC.  
CCFC-like composites have been used in competition sailing, aeronautics, and Formula 1 racing applications. It’s a brand new material developed and produced exclusively for Clerc in Switzerland 
Composed of multiple 30 micron ultra-thin carbon fibre layers, CCFC is injected with resin and deposited in multiple layers, each weave at 45° from one another.

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After subsequent heating, the material is easier to machine than any other composite, allowing all sorts of creative high-precision manufacturing possibilities  
CCFC carbon is ideally suited for state-of-the-art technologies. Besides its unequalled toughness, CCFC is also aesthetically pleasing because its weaved carbon layers create mottled effects giving each case a unique and distinctive character.  
So of the 140 limited edition pieces, no two H140 watches will ever look exactly the same!

A construction built for performance 

The Clerc Hydroscaph H140 Carbon Limited Edition Chronograph is unique in all respects, starting with its exceptional 103-part case that is the most complex on the market. Developed on the basis of an uncompromisingly function-driven approach, it is flanked with lateral reinforcements and a construction ensuring water resistance to 500 metres. The rotating bezel with its emblematic octagonal lines is protected from any involuntary activation by an exclusive device: a built-in retractable flap on the case middle must first be deployed before pivoting the bezel via a dedicated crown at 10 o’clock; and once the flap is returned to its initial position, the bezel is once again secured against any risk of accidental deregulation.

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The 3 o’clock time-setting and winding crown ensures an optimal grip. The broad and partially cut-out chronograph pushers react to pressure by pivoting around a lateral axis acting as a lever, thus ensuring uniquely smooth handling and excellent precision for short-time measurements. Comfort is also a strong point, since the mobile lugs ensure perfect adjustment on the wrist, even when worn over a neoprene diving suit.
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An exclusive ‘engine’ for short-time measurements 

The sapphire crystal case-back of this limited-edition watch commemorating the 140th anniversary of the Maison Clerc a plunging view of another feat: the exclusive C608 calibre beating at the heart of the Hydroscaph H140 Carbon Limited Edition Chronograph.

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This authentic Haute Horlogerie ‘engine’ beats at the high frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour) and orchestrates an unusual short-time read-off mode via a central display.

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 Rather than indicating the minutes on a counter, the chronograph is equipped with two hands ensuring perfect and intuitive legibility: a central chronograph seconds hand as well as an additional hand counting off the minutes. The finely tuned mechanism of the self-winding C608 movement also powers a 24-hour day/night indication that is especially useful when adjusting the date

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A pervasive sense of rugged power 

The indications stand out with surgical precision against an elegant dark grey dial. Whether on land or far below the oceans, this chronograph can be read off with impeccable clarity thanks to a superb cool grey Superluminova coating on the hands and hour-markers.
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A new water-resistant carbon fibre-textured strap sets the ultimate touch of refinement to the Clerc Hydroscaph H140 Carbon Limited Edition Chronograph – a strong new reference in the line of powerful and prestigious diver’s watches bearing the Clerc signature.

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TECHNICALS SPECIFICATIONS 

Movement:  

Exclusive C608 self-winding chronograph movement,
51 jewels, 28’800 vib/h
Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif and blue screws
44-hour power reserve
Functions:  
Chronograph functions central
Day and night / 24 hours
Small second
Case: 
DLC-coated steel together with CCFC carbon Grey
SuperLuminova
Constructed of over 103 parts
Dimensions 44.6 mm/ 49.6 mm including lateral protectors
Special pushers for chronograph correction
Exclusive crown-activated rotating bezel
Proprietary adaptable lugs mechanism
4.0 mm glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Exhibition case-back
Water resistant to 500 meters
Dial:  
Black with cool grey SuperLuminova applique markers
60 seconds counter at center
60 minutes counter at center
Day and night / 24hours indicator at 9 o’clock
Small second counter at 3 o’clock
Date window at 6 o’clock
Strap:  
Water resistant leather with carbon fiber pattern on folding clasp

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Our mailing address is:
Clerc SA
37A Rue de Lausanne
1er étage
Genève 1201
Switzerland
CONTACT PRESS@CLERCWATCHES.COM
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