Saturday, October 29, 2016

JAQUET DROZ – Automates & Merveilles Singing Bird Pendulum Clock

















JAQUET DROZGrande Automates & Merveilles Singing Bird Pendulum Clock NEW

A MASTERPIECE RETURNS TO ITS ORIGINAL SPLENDOR 
WITH THE SUPPORT OF JAQUET DROZ

The brand known by its twin stars lends its support to the restoration of three major timepieces led by the Association Automates et Merveilles by sponsoring the restoration of a spectacular Empire-style singing bird pendulum clock operated by a Pierre Jaquet-Droz mechanism.


Since its inception at the height of the Enlightenment, Jaquet Droz has consistently sought to push the boundaries of watchmaking. Designed to measure Time, its creations have been designed as genuine decorative treasures implementing the best expertise and knowledge of the period. The same applies to its automata, from the spectacular androids that enthralled the European royal courts to the songbirds that adorned watches, clocks and snuffboxes, supporting the great naturalist trend of the period. Many of these masterpieces are preserved today in Swiss or international institutions, particularly in the Forbidden City in Beijing. From the past to the present, this spirit is what has driven the design of Jaquet Droz's contemporary automaton creations. The Bird Repeater and Charming Bird captivate and rouse, almost three centuries later, the same level of wonder before these timepieces embodying unchanged magic.

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In a special exhibition in 2012, Jaquet Droz and the Association Automates & Merveilles honored the three leading figures of 18th century watchmaking: Pierre Jaquet-Droz, his son Henri-Louis and their collaborator Jean-Frédéric Leschot. On this occasion, an incredible number of pieces and information was gathered for the first time in three museums in the canton of Neuchâtel. It therefore made sense for Jaquet Droz to support the association's new project of safeguarding and showcasing the Neuchâtel watchmaking heritage through the restoration of three major pieces: the planetary clock by François Ducommun (International Museum of Horology in La Chaux-de-Fonds), the astronomical clock by Albert Billeter (Musée d’art et d’histoire in Neuchâtel), and the singing bird pendulum clock by Pierre Jaquet-Droz (Watch Museum of Le Locle, Château des Monts).

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This last piece will be the particular focal point of the Brand's sponsorship. This clock, 92.56 cm tall and boasting a cabinet adorned with bronze decorative elements, is topped with a cage that houses the singing bird. The cabinet is emblematic of the Empire style, Egyptian revival and Orientalism in vogue under Napoleon with the attributes that are iconic of that period: the sphinx, victories, Egyptian headdress busts, swans and lotus leaves. On the plate, the pendulum clock movement bears the signature "Pierre Jaquet-Droz à La Chaux-de-Fonds". It is likely that it was Napoleon himself who ordered the Jaquet Droz movement for this piece, prior to the cabinet, to offer it to a Princess of Württemberg, a gift that was particularly popular during that period.

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Joining the collections of the Watch Museum of Le Locle - Château des Monts in 1984, the clock is quickly becoming a key piece of the museum collections. The clock features a movement powered by a double fusee and chains, chiming the hours and quarter hours on two bells and a crown wheel escapement. The bird's song is produced by a pin-barrel serinette that can play six different tunes on ten flutes. During the melody, the bird pivots on the spot while opening its beak, shaking its tail feathers and puffing up its chest.

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As the piece remained non-operational for many years, each component must be disassembled and cleaned. Following this step, each part will be restored respecting the original features. The four-link chains of the clock's motor, special characteristics of this piece, need to be completely redone. The mechanisms of the pendulum and serinette need to undergo complete service. The mahogany cabinet needs to be retouched so that its original color is restored. The bronze components need to be regilded and the bird freshened up. Of course, all this restoration work will be entrusted to specialists.

The restoration project will be completed in 2018 to mark the 280th anniversary of Jaquet Droz. Upon completion, the singing bird pendulum clock will be restored as close as possible to the original condition. This miracle of mechanical precision and ornamental virtuosity illustrates, just as well as contemporary creations, the spirit that has animated men and women working for Jaquet Droz since its inception: a love for the beautiful, captivating motion of Time.

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MONTRES JAQUET DROZ SA
Allée du Tourbillon 2
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds 2
· press@jaquet-droz.com
tel +41 32 924 28 72 · fax +41 (0)32 924 28 82
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www.Jaquet-Droz.com

Friday, October 28, 2016

TAG HEUER – CARRERA “RING MASTER” Tribute to Muhammad Ali Edition



















TAG HEUERCARRERA Ring Master Calibre 5 Tribute to Muhammad Ali Special Edition NEW


An exceptional evening
A Tribute to the “Greatest Of All Time”

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TAG Heuer and Muhammad Ali Enterprises join forces to Celebrate the Legendary Boxer with a Charity Event

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  • TAG Heuer pays tribute to Muhammad Ali, hosting a charity event attended by Lonnie Ali, well-known personalities from the world of boxing including those who fought Ali, George Chuvalo, Earnie Shavers, and fighters who were inspired by him, Evander Holyfield, Roberto Durán and Julio César Chávez González.
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  • TAG Heuer family, ambassadors Tom Brady, Henrik Lundqvist, and Iris Apfel, a friend of the brand, were also present at the tribute.
  • The event was co-hosted by Paul "Magic Man" Malignaggi in the famous Gleason’s Gym in DUMBO, Brooklyn where Muhammad Ali trained in the presence of its Owner and Manager, Bruce Silverglade.
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  • A speech from Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer & President of the LVMH Watch Division, and organiser of this charity event, who met Muhammad Ali four years ago.
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  • The unique commemorative timepiece from TAG Heuer, was presented to The Muhammad Ali Center with a pair of autographed boxing gloves that were auctioned at the event. All proceeds have gone to The Muhammad Ali Center (Louisville, KY).
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  • "Tribute to Muhammad Ali,” a collection of special edition steel timepieces, was also unveiled at the event - inspired by the famous TAG Heuer Ring-Master watch currently on display in the TAG Heuer museum.
A Tribute to Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is responsible for some of the most legendary moments in sports and civil rights history. More than 50 years after he emerged as a Gold Medallist at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Ali remains one of the most recognizable men in history.


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His incomparable work ethic, revolutionary techniques, and fearlessness towards standing up for his beliefs, all contribute to the legend that was Muhammad Ali. Among his countless awards and accolades, he was named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Century,” GQ’s “Athlete of the Century,” was a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Amnesty International Lifetime Achievement Award.

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The Charity Event

Brooklyn, New York25 October 2016 - To celebrate the GOAT - the “Greatest Of All Time”- a charity event was held at the famous Gleason’s Gym in DUMBO, Brooklyn where Muhammad Ali trained. The event was hosted by TAG Heuer and Muhammad Ali Enterprises, with all proceeds going to The Muhammad Ali Center.

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The honorary event was attended by Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali’s past opponents including George Chuvalo and Earnie Shavers, boxers whose careers were inspired by him such as Evander Holyfield, Roberto Durán, and Julio César Chávez.

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In This Photo: Earnie Shavers



The TAG Heuer family

Completing the unique picture was Jean-Claude Biver, TAG Heuer CEO & President of the LVMH Group Watch Division, who met the champion in December 2012, and who was accompanied by ambassadors and friends of the brand:

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  • Tom Brady, the celebrated New England Patriots Quarterback, who acted as auctioneer for the evening with Stéphanie Landess,
  • Henrik Lundqvist, the Swedish professional New York Rangers hockey player and one of the world's best goaltenders,
  • and Iris Apfel, an American businesswoman, interior designer and fashion influencer.
  • Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi co-hosted the event.
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Gleason’s Gym: a special place

The event was held in Gleason’s Gym, the legendary boxing club in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), Brooklyn, NY. In addition to Muhammad Ali, the club has trained more than 130 World Champion Boxers, several dozen of whom have been awarded with Golden Gloves.

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For over 65 years (and for the next few weeks before its relocation), the club has been situated on the first floor of an ordinary building in this popular south-east quarter of New York. As soon as the door opens, you are plunged into the world of boxing. The walls are covered with posters of former boxing champions; the hall houses four boxing rings, training bags and treadmills. Images of Muhammad Ali can be seen everywhere.

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And the studio owner, Bruce Silverglade, now over 75 years of age, tells with pride of the link between Gleason's Gym and the champion. "This is where he came to train for the fight where he wowed the world", referencing the famous 1964 fight between Ali (who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay on 17th January 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky) and the heavyweight world champion title holder, Sonny Liston.

It was during this fight that Muhammad Ali began to create the legend, defeating the title holder in six rounds to the surprise of all. He fought against Sonny Liston, a fierce and intimidating opponent. Contrast that with the young Ali, who recited poetry and was ready to take on the world. Everyone wanted to see that match.

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The Commemorative Timepiece

A commemorative unique timepiece made of gold was presented by The Muhammad Ali Center (Louisville, Kentucky), with a pair of Muhammad Ali-autographed boxing gloves, a commemorative medal, and certificates of authenticity, all stored in a custom studded leather case made in Switzerland for the occasion.

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The unique timepiece, created by TAG Heuer, was inspired by the famous Ring-Master stopwatch introduced in 1957 and now on display in the TAG Heuer museum. The Ring-Master was equipped with 7 rings, each one featuring a different scale, including one for boxing.

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The watch was auctioned with all proceeds going to The Muhammad Ali Center.

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Technical details

Model: CARRERA Calibre 5 “RING MASTER” - Tribute to Muhammad Ali Special Edition

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Reference: WAR2A11.FC6337 - Stainless-steel black dial and leather strap Edition

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Reference: WAR2A40.FC8222 - Gold black dial and leather strap Unique Piece

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Movement       
TAG Heuer Calibre 5 – Automatic with date
Diameter: 26 mm (11 ½''')
Date window.Balance frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz).
Power reserve: about 40 hours.
Case    Diameter 43 mm
  •  Stainless-steel
  •  Gold
        Case and fixed bezel in polished steel
        Polished crown with TAG Heuer shield at 3 o'clock
        Crown at 10 o'clock with brilliant red lacquered line
        Sapphire crystal with anti-scratch and anti-reflective coating on both sides
    Engraved portrait of Muhammad Ali on the back of the watch with the exclusive inscription "Tribute to Muhammad Ali"

Dial      Opaline black
            White luminescent numerals
            Rotary ring with scale showing 1-15 rounds of boxing
            Faceted and polished hour and minute hands with luminescent indices
            White gold colour lacquered seconds hand
White printed TAG Heuer logo at 12 o'clock and Muhammad Ali's signature at 6 o'clock
            Date window at 6 o'clock

Water-resistance    100 metres

Strap   
Perforated black leather with red stitching.
Steel deployant buckle with safety push-buttons
With engraved TAG Heuer shield

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TAG Heuer International – Media Relations:
Marine Lemonnier-Brennan – Email: marine.lemonnier@tagheuer.com – T.+41 79 389 67 62

Muhammad Ali Enterprises – Media Relations:
Haley Steinberg – Email: Hsteinberg@abg-nyc.com - T. +1 646 612 7439
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Press release - 2016 
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