Monday, October 31, 2016

LONGINES – HERITAGE Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935















LONGINESHERITAGE Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 Chronograph Steel 41 mm NEW

An homage to the pioneers of aviation

Building on the long tradition which has shaped the Swiss watchmaker, Longines has once again taken inspiration from its multifaceted history to enrich its Heritage collection. The Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 illustrates the brand’s historic ties with the world of aviation. This exceptional chronograph, with an elegant vintage style, combines the performance and precision necessary to this field. Its honey-coloured accents and angled dial, which allow pilots to read the indices without having to release the plane’s control yoke, will appeal to lovers of the brand while illustrating Longines’ watchmaking expertise.


In honour of the accomplishments of aviation’s pioneers, Longines has drawn inspiration from its rich history to present a very special piece: The Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935. At the start of the 20th century, the watch brand associated its name with pilots who made history through their extraordinary achievements. Chief among them was Charles Lindbergh, the first pilot to cross the Atlantic solo, an achievement celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2017. Precision and sturdiness were the key words for the design of the “Type A-7” watches, which needed to meet a very precise criteria in order to merit this distinction, the American army gave to these chronographs ordered from Longines in 1935.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...          BIG FOTO





























The Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 sets itself apart with its dial angled at 40° to the right, displaying 12 large honey-coloured Arabic numerals. These allow perfect legibility and contrast with the polished white lacquer dial. Lastly, a “train track” chapter ring ensures the minutes can be easily read and the timepiece’s case is elegantly equipped with a fluted crown. Developed for the watch to be worn on the inside of the wrist, the particular orientation of the dial allows pilots to read the indices without having to release the plane's control yoke, while the crown was designed to be easily manipulated, even while wearing gloves.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...          BIG FOTO








































A bold piece combining unparalleled design with the strict demands of performance and precision fundamental to the world of aviation, the Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 will not go unnoticed. The 41 mm stainless steel case houses a self-winding L788.2 calibre, a column wheel movement exclusively developed for Longines which enables control of the different chronograph functions (power, stop, and reset) by simply pressing the single push-piece inserted into the fluted crown. Elegant “pear skeleton” hands in blued steel and honeyed varnish complete the remarkable aesthetic of this piece. A brown alligator strap harmoniously enhances the overall piece.


------------------------------------------
Technical sheet

Model:  HERITAGE Avigation Type A-7 1935

Reference number: L2.812.4.23.2/4

Calibre   
Automatic winding mechanical movement with single push-piece
And column wheel chronograph mechanism
Calibre L788.2 (ETA A08.L11)
13¼ lines, 27 jewels, 28’800 alternations per hour
54-hour power reserve
Functions   
Hours, minutes, small second and date at 6 o’clock
Chronograph
   Central 60-second hand
   30-minute counter at 12 o'clock
Case   
Stainless steel
Round,  Ø 44 mm.
Single push-piece integrated into the crown
Glass: Sapphire crystal with several layers of anti-reflective treatment
Water resistance: Up to 3 bar (30 meters)  
Dial
White lacquered polished, angled at 40° to the right
12 honey-coloured Arabic numerals
Hands
 Blued steel, honey-coloured varnish (hours, minutes)
Blued steel (small seconds)
Strap
Brown alligator strap with buckle


--------------------------------
Press release - 2016
---------------------------------------------
For further information please contact:
Longines International Public Relations
2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
publicrelations@longines.com
-----------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Longines
---------------------------------------------------------
www.Longines.com

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.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...               BIG FOTO









































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).

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...               BIG FOTO





























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.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...               BIG FOTO








































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.

Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...               BIG FOTO





















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.

-----------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Jaquet.Droz
----------------------------------------------------------------
www.Jaquet-Droz.com