Saturday, December 12, 2015

A. Lange & Sohne – F. A. Lange Watchmaking Excellence Award 2015



A. Lange & SöhneF. A. Lange Watchmaking Excellence Award 2015

For the sixth time now, A. Lange & Söhne has awarded an achievement prize to an up-and-coming watchmaker. For the second time in a row, the prize of 10,000 euros goes to Finland.


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On 7 December, the founding day of Lange Uhren GmbH, the "F. A. Lange Watchmaking Excellence Award" for the year 2015 was presented in Dresden. Reima Koivukoski (23), a student of Kelloseppäkoulu – the Finnish School of Watchmaking – received the prize of 10,000 euros for his design of a calendar-week display that also emulates the axial tilt of the Earth. He accepted the prize from Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid and company founder Walter Lange at an international press event in Dresden's Albertinum gallery.

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The assignment of this year's competition was to create and craft a calendar-week display. Eight aspiring watchmakers from five countries qualified to compete for the prize. They spent a few days at the manufactory in May, during which they were acquainted with the assignment in detail.

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A jury consisting of five experts assessed the entries at the end of November. In addition to company founder Walter Lange and Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at Lange, the jury members included specialised journalists Gisbert L. Brunner and Peter Braun as well as Peter Plassmeyer, the director of the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments in Dresden. The panel assessed the originality of the idea, its technical functionality, the quality of craftsmanship and aesthetical aspects.

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Reima Koivukoski's design impressed the jury for its creative approach, technical complexity and attention to detail, both in construction and high-quality workmanship. "His work reflects a style of his own, a sense of aesthetics and ergonomics as well as the courage to modify the architecture of the movement", explained the jury in its statement. The fact that Koivukoski's work displays the axial tilt of the Earth in relation to the Sun impressed the jury. This truly unique feature was inspired by Finland's geographic position, which is characterised by the contrast between winter darkness and the white nights of summer.

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Contact information for the media
Arnd Einhorn, Director Press and PR
* Tel.: +49 (0)35053 44 5505
E-mail: presse@lange-soehne.com
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Friday, December 11, 2015

VACHERON CONSTANTIN – Traditionnelle Small Model
















VACHERON CONSTANTIN Traditionelle Small Model Diamond-set 18K White Gold NEW

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A sparkling watch certified by the Hallmark of Geneva

A grand classic among the Vacheron Constantin watch collections, the Traditionnelle line revels in
testifying to its undeniable affinities with artistic crafts. After having launched a 38 mm-diameter
version in
2013, the Manufacture showcases once again a multitude of artistic feats with a daintily
feminine 33 mm-diameter version entirely paved with several hundred round-cut diamonds. Beneath
the sparkling elegance of the snow-set dial beats hand-wound
Calibre 1400 bearing the prestigious
Hallmark of Geneva.


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In a spectacular display of working with light, the gem-setter has opted to alternate between two
different gem-setting techniques to play on various sparkling and shining effects according to the
surfaces to be lit up. The bezel and sides of the 18-carat white gold case are paved with 196 grain-set
diamonds, while 394 diamonds shimmer intensely on the dial thanks to the magic of the snow setting.
The subtly random reflections of this clever gem-setting contribute to a glowing visual effect achieved
by juxtaposing precious stones of varying sizes so as to entirely cover the underlying gold surface.
Perfectly moulding the rounded curves of the case, the 608 precious stones completely carpet the
watch, while a 0.06-carat round-cut diamond appears like a punctuation mark on the fluted winding
crown. A night blue Mississippiensis alligator leather strap creates a striking contrast that further
enhances the luminous beauty of the diamonds. It is adorned with an 18-carat white gold pin buckle set
with 17 round-cut diamonds.

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The impressive mastery of the gem-setter is matched by that of the watchmaker. The sapphire crystal
caseback reveals hand-wound Calibre 1400. Developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin in keeping
with the finest Haute Horlogerie traditions, it meets the demands laid down by the famous Hallmark of
Geneva that applies to the finished watch.

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This movement beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and ensures a 40-hour power reserve. Its finishing as well as its design testify to superlative craftsmanship: not only do the main smooth surfaces of the movement bear a traditional Côtes de Genève motif, but their sharp edges are also finely chamfered before being hand-polished, as are the flat-head screws.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model: TRADITIONNELLE Small Model White Gold - Calibre 1400
Reference: 81591/000G-9913
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques

Movement
  • Caliber 1400 
  • Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
  • Mechanical, manual-winding
  • 20.65 mm (9’’’) diameter, 2.6 mm thick
  • Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
  • 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
  • 98 components
  • 20 jewels
Indications
  • Hours
  • Minutes
Case
Diamond-set 18K white gold (197 round-cut diamonds)
33 mm diameter, 7.7 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
 
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
Diamond-set 18K white gold (394 round-cut diamonds) 
18K white gold applied hour-markers 
Strap
Dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator
leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, stitched-tip, large square scales
Buckle: 
18K white gold buckle
Diamond-set half Maltese cross-shaped (17 round-cut diamonds)
Total diamond-setting:  

608 round-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 3.3 carats

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