Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Bell & Ross – BR-X2 TOURBILLON MICRO-ROTOR Edition















Bell & RossBR-X2 TOURBILLON MICRO-ROTOR Limited Edition

X FACTOR

Shrouded in mystery, the X Factor is everywhere. Firstly, in mathematics, where it stands in for an unknown element in an equation; then, in psychology, as the characteristic driving an individual to succeed, excel and push boundaries. It is also found in the aerospace industry, where “X” is used to designate NASA’s most experimental projects. And it also has a place in watchmaking: since 2014, the letter “X” has been accompanying the range of experimental watches produced by Bell & Ross. And now, in 2017, the new BR-X2 is expressing the values of innovation, creativity and performance inherent to the Bell & Ross watch brand. X Factor times two…

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THEN, ALONG CAME THE BR-X1

In 2014, the release of the BR-X1, with its stunning and resolutely masculine design, marked Bell & Ross’ first advances into a more experimental and innovative arena. The technical characteristics, typical of sports models, were joined by a bold streak of creativity, characterized by the adoption of a skeleton chronograph movement inside a high-tech square case that combined titanium, ceramic and rubber.

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Two years later, the BR-X1 Tourbillon Sapphire would spark a veritable revolution, as it gave complete transparency to the famous square case, which was cut directly from a block of sapphire!

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This precious timepiece established a direct link between Haute Horlogerie and hyper-sophistication. And now, with the new BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor, the second generation of its X Collection, Bell & Ross is adding another chapter to the BR saga.

A UNIQUE CONCEPT

Given just three words to define a watch, they would undoubtedly be “case, movement, dial”. If would be difficult, if not impossible, to miss out any one of these elements. However, true innovation lies in questioning certainties and exploring brand new paths.

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This is exactly what Bell & Ross did when designing its new BR‑X2, where the case and movement form a single element. How? When designing a case from steel and sapphire (a highly technical material which is exceedingly difficult to work with), Bruno Belamich, the brand’s creative director, came up with a utopian idea: “Fusing the case and movement into a single component to make the case disappear, leaving only the movement visible.”


INNOVATION AND HAUTE HORLOGERIE

In concrete terms, the design of the BR-X2 implies wearing the movement directly on the wrist. The square BR-CAL.380 manufacture caliber, designed and developed entirely by Bell & Ross, is set between two sapphire crystal plates, joined at the sides by a narrow band of steel machined as a single piece, ensuring unrestricted visibility. This makes the case virtually invisible, and the skeleton dial does the same, showcasing the movement.

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To highlight the aesthetic purity and the technical expertise, the designers of the BR-X2 have opted for both simplicity and performance. This two-hand watch displays the hours and minutes with exceptional precision thanks to a flying tourbillon that compensates for the gravitational pull of the earth.

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Simplicity, yes; but also elegance and restraint, thanks to its modest dimensions (42.5 mm square) and delicacy, made possible by the extra-thin 4.05 mm movement, with automatic winding provided by a micro-rotor.


Limited edition transparency

With the bold, modern design of the BR-X2 that pushes the very limits of creativity, Bell & Ross positions itself, once again, as one of the most innovative Haute Horlogerie brands.

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This highly exclusive watch, will only be available to 99 cultivated connoisseurs, offering them the unique experience of wearing a watch movement on their wrist…



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Technical Specifications

Model: BR-X2 TOURBILLON MICRO-ROTOR

Limited Edition of 99 Pieces

Reference: BRX2-MRTB-ST

Movement
Calibre BR-CAL.380
Automatic mechanical.
Diameter: 25.60
Jewels: 25
Reserve: 38
Frequency: 28.800 vph
Functions
Hours and minutes.
Flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock.
Case
42.5 mm in diameter.
Satin-polished steel.
Dial
Skeletonised.
Metal applique Superluminova®-filled indices.
Metal skeletonised Superluminova®-filled hour and minute hands.
Crystal
Sapphire with anti-reflective coating.
Water-resistance: 50 metres.
Strap
Grey alligator.
Buckle: folding. Steel.

Limited Edition of 99 Pieces


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Press release - 2017
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Tuesday, October 17, 2017

BLANCPAIN – VILLERET Quantieme Phases de Lune
















BLANCPAINVILLERET Quantieme Phases de Lune Women Watches 2017

A new feminine moon phase flaunts its style!

The contemporary and dynamic new steel model by Blancpain comes with a set of five interchangeable straps designed to fulfil every wish.

Changing the look of one’s watch in order to match a given outfit is now child’s play, since this model comes in a presentation box containing a set of five interchangeable straps in different colors and materials. The three alligator leather ones are in red, midnight blue and sky blue, the ostrich leather one is white, and the third is made of black satin. The wearer can easily remove and exchange the strap simply by pressing the functional catches.


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This new women’s timepiece is a Date Moon Phases model. Topped by a bezel adorned with 48 full -cut diamonds, its stainless steel case measures 29.20mm in diameter. Its matt white dial is swept over by solid leaf-shaped hands, a pointer-type date display and a sapphire moon-phase indication. The latter is a horological complication that had almost vanished from the scene until Blancpain reintroduced it in the early 1980s. Since then, it has become a signature of the Manufacture. The depiction of the lunar cycle on the dial of this watch evokes the ancestral links between watchmaking and astronomy. The face of the moon cor - responding to the current moon phase is visible through a dial aperture. The moon-phase indicator is composed of a wheel with 59 teeth, the equivalent of two complete 29.5 -day lunar cycles – which is why the moon is drawn twice on the disk driven by this wheel.

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This moon graced with a feminine face is an amusing nod to history, since the artificial mole or “beauty spot” (known as a mouche for its similarity to a fly) appearing at the corner of its smiling mouth was regarded in 18th century Europe as symbolizing a playfully teasing attitude. Mouches were used by ladies of the Court as a message to their suitors that differed according to where these coquettish signs were placed.

Beyond beauty, technology

The Villeret Quantième à Phase de Lune is powered by the automatic 913QL movement. The latter is equipped with a glucydur balance wheel featuring gold micrometric regulating screws as well as a balance spring in silicon. This material recently introduced within the watch industry offers several important advantages: its low density makes it lighter; it is more shock-resistant as well as being impervious to magnetic fields. Firstly, its low density makes it lighter and thus more shock-resistant. In addition, it is impervious to magnetic fields. The resulting balance spring is ideally shaped, thereby ensuring improved isochronism performance of the movement, which in turn leads to enhanced timekeeping precision. The sapphire case back reveals a yellow gold oscillating weight adorned with a snailed bevel, polished chamfers, as well as straight and circular Côtes de Genève patterns, as the Manufacture once again demonstrates its expertise through this array of delicate and sophisticated decorative techniques.


Elegance bearing the Blancpain signature

In keeping with tradition, the watch Manufacture introduces a new women’s timepiece that is both pure and timeless. This model, presented in a red gold version, displays complications emblematic of the brand as well as the aesthetic codes of the Villeret collection.

At Baselworld 2017, Blancpain is presenting a new Date Moon Phases women’s timepiece in the Villeret collection. The opaline dial of this red gold watch is swept over by solid leaf-shaped hands, a pointer-type date display and a sapphire moon- phase indication. The latter is a horological complication that had almost vanished from the scene until Blancpain reintroduced it in the early 1980s. Since then, it has become a signature of the Manufacture. The depiction of the lunar cycle on the dial of this watch evokes the ancestral links between watchmaking and astronomy. The face of the moon corresponding to the current moon phase is visible through a dial aperture.

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The moon-phase indicator is composed of a wheel with 59 teeth, the equivalent of two complete 29.5-day lunar cycles – which is why the moon is drawn twice on the disk driven by this wheel. This moon graced with a feminine face is an amusing nod to history, since the artificial mole or “beauty spot” (known as a mouche for its similarity to a fly) appearing at the corner of its smiling mouth was regarded in 18th century France as symbolizing a playfully teasing attitude. Mouches were used by ladies of the Court as a message to their suitors that differed according to where these coquettish signs were placed.

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The case of the new Villeret Quantième à Phase de Lune measures 29.20 mm in diameter and is topped by a bezel adorned with 48 full-cut diamonds. This model is powered by the automatic 913QL movement. The latter is equipped with a glucydur balance wheel featuring gold micrometric regulating screws as well as a balance spring in silicon. This material recently introduced within the watch industry offers several important advantages. Firstly, its low density makes it lighter and thus more shock-resistant. In addition, it is impervious to magnetic fields. The resulting balance spring is ideally shaped, thereby ensuring improved isochronism performance of the movement, which in turn leads to enhanced timekeeping precision. The sapphire case back reveals a red gold oscillating weight adorned with a snailed bevel, polished chamfers, as well as straight and circular Côtes de Genève patterns, as the Manufacture once again demonstrates its expertise through this array of delicate and sophisticated decorative techniques. This new timepiece is fitted with a taupe-colored alligator strap.


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Technical data

Model: VILLERET Quantieme Phases de Lune WOMEN

References:  6106-4628-95A - Stainless steel

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References:  6106-2987-55A - 18ct Red Gold

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Complications
Moon phases
Secured movement
Self-winding Calibre 913QL
Functions:
  • Moon Phases
  • Calendar
  • Date
  • Seconds
Alternances: 21.600 beats/hour (3 Hrz)
Power reserve in hours: 40 hours
Calibre diameter:  23.70 mm
Calibre thickness:  4.50 mm
Jewels:  20
Seconde
Mouvement sécurisé
Spiral en silicium
Composants:   246 Pces
Case
  • Stainless steel, circled by 1 row of diamonds
  • 18ct Red Gold, circled by 1 row of diamonds
Bezel and lugs are set with diamonds 48
Case thickness:    10.36 mm
Case diameter:    29.20 mm
Water resistance:    3.00 bar
Back:   Sapphire crystal
Dial
  • White dial set with diamonds
  • Opaline dial set with diamonds
set with 8 diamonds 0.026 carat(s)
Diamond-set decorated in opaline dial
Strap/Bracelet
"Alizarin Crimson"Alligator
  • Set of 5 interchangeable straps
  • Alligator lined with alzavel
Pin buckle: 
  • Stainless steel
  • Red Gold

* Blancpain reserves the right to modify this model and its technical characteristics.

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Blancpain S.A.
Le Rocher 12
1348 Le Brassus
Suisse
International PR: Lucie Notar
Tel.  (+41) 21 796 3619
Fax (+41) 21 796 3637
E-mail: pr@blancpain.com
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