Saturday, April 14, 2018

ARNOLD & SON – Time PYRAMID Black Edition


ARNOLD & SON Instrument Time PYRAMID Black Edition


Arnold & Son introduces the Time Pyramid Black Edition
A neo-classical interpretation of a skeleton watch unlike any other.

Arnold & Son has been at the forefront of creating unique and truly original skeleton timepieces; a number of which have become iconic symbols of contemporary haute horlogerie with classical inspiration.

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Now, Arnold & Son offers a contemporary yet timeless execution its most outstanding skeleton watch, the Time Pyramid Black Edition in striking black and gold tones. An object of symmetry and pure mechanical opulence, the Time Pyramid is a skeleton timepiece with a unique form. Seemingly floating between two sapphire crystals, the Time Pyramid is a masterful rendition of technical prowess and unparalleled elegance.


British skeleton clock, chain driven fuse, England, 1830-1845 © Arnold & Son
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Inspired by the regulators created by John and Roger Arnold over two hundred years ago, as well as by antique British skeleton clocks, the skeletonized caliber A&S1615 is built in a unique format, with the balance wheel at twelve o'clock, and at the opposite end of the movement at six o'clock, two mainspring barrels that supply the hand-wound caliber with an amazing 90 hours of power reserve, and provide a more constant force to the wheel train.



The gear train runs vertically in a linear format connecting the two barrels at six o'clock to the balance wheel at twelve o'clock, and endowing the movement with its pyramid structure. The bridges are designed so that all of the wheels, the two mainspring barrels, the escapement and balance wheel are all magnificently visible from the dial side.

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Additionally, the movement is fitted with two power reserve indicators - one each on either side of the linear gear train - to display the energy level for each barrel separately.

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The power reserve hands indicate the reserve level via graduated dots (that are printed under the top sapphire crystal) in an arc format, and demonstrate how one barrel transfers energy to the second one when needed.

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Essentially, as the first barrel winds the second one, the power reserve indicator of the first barrel goes down, while the second one goes up - making for an accurate and intriguing readout.

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In the Time Pyramid Black Edition, the emphasis has been placed on the moving parts of the movement. Housed in a 44.6mm Stainless Steel case with a black DLC coating, the movement has been reimagined with a blend of muted black and warm rose gold tones, highlighting the movement’s unique architecture while playing with light in a most fascinating manner.

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The movement’s main plate and bridges are treated in black ADLC, while still retaining classical haute horlogerie decoration such as Côtes de Genève strips and chamfered, polished edges.

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The various wheels of the symmetrical gear train as well as the barrels are given a rose gold treatment, as are all the hands and the frame holding the sapphire hours and minutes dial.


Completing the look of the Time Pyramid Black Edition’s dark allure, the watch is set on a hand-stitched black alligator leather strap, with a black DLC treated steel tang buckle matching the case.

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The Time Pyramid Black Edition is a limited edition of 50 pieces.

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Technical Specifications

Instrument Collection

Model:  Time PYRAMID Black Edition

References 1TPBS.R01A - Stainless Steel black DLC coating case 44.60mm

Movement
Caliber:  A&S1615

Manufacture Arnold & Son skeletonized movement, hand-wound,
27 jewels, diameter 37.60 mm, thickness 4.40 mm, power reserve over
90 h, double barrel, 21,600 vibrations/h
Functions:  Hours, minutes, seconds, double power reserve indication
Movement decoration:  Skeletonized black ADLC treated movement and golden wheels with
Haute Horlogerie finishing: hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, 
Côtes de Genève, circular satin-finished wheels
Dial 

Sapphire, circular grained gold treated frame with chamfered and polished edge
Hands:
Golden hands, hours and minutes hands with white Super- LumiNova®
Case

Stainless steel with black DLC coating
Diameter 44.60 mm, cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides,
translucent-grey coated sapphire case back.
Wwater-resistant to 30 m
Strap

Hand-stitched black alligator leather

Limited edition of 50 pieces.


Recommended Retail Prices:
Stainless Steel with black DLC coating case, CHF 28’700 (VAT excl.)

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Press releases - 2018
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Marketing & Sales
Boulevard des Eplatures 38
CH – 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
T : +41 32 967 97 97
F : +41 32 968 07 55
info@arnoldandson.com
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www.Arnold&Son.com

Friday, April 13, 2018

GIRARD-PERREGAUX – 1966 Smoky Grey Dial


GIRARD-PERREGAUX1966 Smoky Grey Dial - New steel Versions 2018


Elegance and precision
Two new models join the
1966 Collection

Born in one of the most dynamic and glorious periods in the history Girard-Perregaux, the 1966 collection pays tribute to the technical innovations of the Manufacture in the field of precision timekeeping. These two new 40 and 36 mm steel versions are for the first time welcoming the extremely refined smoky grey dial.

 “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”, according to Leonardo da Vinci. Viewed from a purely instinctive standpoint, the concept of a traditional watch might tend to evoke a certain immutability and austerity. The exact opposite is true of the 1966 Collection by Girard-Perregaux, which stemmed from one of the most dynamic periods enjoyed by the Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds and which saw it set up an R&D centre and launch the first ever high-frequency movement. In keeping with this perpetual quest for innovation, Girard-Perregaux is paying tribute to this era by presenting two new automatic timepieces, each fitted with a smoky dial and a particularly elegant ultra-thin steel case: the 1966 40mm and the 1966 36mm gem-set models.

Click, to see the large size. BIG FOTO

Since Girard-Perregaux was founded in 1791, its history has been repeatedly punctuated by legendary creations. Jean-François Bautte, the watchmaker behind the creation of the Manufacture, was one of the greatest late-18th century specialists in the field of ultra-thin watches. Constant Girard-Perregaux subsequently caused a sensation by introducing his legendary Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges, a prize-winner at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889. More recently, the revolutionary Constant Escapement L.M. – whose operating principle is based on a flexible silicon blade – created a stir in 2013 and marked a turning point in the quest for chronometric regularity. Girard-Perregaux currently holds more than 100 patents and encompasses the full range of watchmaking professions, from movement development through to finishing.

Nonetheless, the 1960s represent a particularly stellar period for the Manufacture marked by what can aptly be described as an ‘acceleration’ of its success. The fact of having its own R&D team was a rare phenomenon at the time and it was this department that handled the secret development of the Gyromatic HF calibre, the first movement in watchmaking history beating at the high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. The series-produced watches equipped with this mechanism soon won chronometry competitions that had previously been the exclusive preserve of specially prepared models, regarded as ‘racing beasts’. In 1966, Neuchâtel Observatory awarded Girard-Perregaux the Centenary Prize for its work on enhancing precision. The following year, the Maison earned 662 certificates, accounting for 73% of all those issued by the chronometry authority in the traditional wristwatch category.

Click, to see the large size. BIG FOTO

It was during this special time that the 1966 Collection was born. Paying tribute to the technical innovations made by Girard-Perregaux in the field of precision timekeeping, it now welcomes two new interpretations in steel: the first measuring 40 mm in diameter, and the second 36 mm.

Click, to see the large size. BIG FOTO

These reliable and accurate models are equipped with the self-winding Manufacture GP03300 calibre, providing a generous 46-hour power reserve. Its mainplate and bridges are meticulously straight-grained, bevelled and adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. The 218-part movement of the large model powers the hours, minutes and seconds hands, along with a date display in a window at 3 o’clock; while the 36 mm version has no date but is instead graced by diamond hour-markers and a gem-set bezel.  The two cases are water-resistant to 30 m and fitted with a transparent case-back.

Click, to see the large size. BIG FOTO

The most eye-catching feature of all is undoubtedly the refined design. For the first time, the Maison has chosen to endow steel models in the 1966 collection with the elegant smoky grey dial previously reserved for gold watches. The 40 mm version is adorned with a sunburst finish, and the smaller one with a magnificent “flinqué” pattern. The ultra-thin case, the domed and polished leaf-type hands, as well as the applied baton-type hour-markers or Roman numerals also contribute to the perfect aesthetic equilibrium of these two new references that go just as well with a pair of jeans as with an evening dress. At an unbeatably competitive price.

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Technical Specifications

Model: 1966 40mm

Reference  49555-11-231-BB60

Case
Material: steel
Diameter: 40.00 mm
Height: 8.90 mm
Glass: sapphire anti-reflective
Case-back: sapphire crystal
Dial: smoky grey color
Hands: leaf-shaped
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Movement
Reference: GP03300-0130
, mechanical with automatic winding
Diameter: 25.60 mm (11 ½’’’) 
Height: 3.36 mm
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
Number of components: 218
Jewels: 27
Power reserve: min. 46 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Strap
Material: stitched black alligator
Buckle: steel pin buckle

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Technical Specifications

Model: 1966 36mm

Reference  49523D11A271-CKBA
Case
Material: steel with diamond-set bezel
Gem-setting: bezel set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds,
~0.89 ct and dial set with 10 brilliant-cut diamonds, ~0.06 ct
Diameter: 36.00 mm
Height: 9.01 mm
Glass: sapphire anti-reflective
Case-back: sapphire crystal
Dial: smoky grey with a “flinqué” pattern
Hands: leaf-shaped
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Movement
Reference: GP03300-0123
, mechanical with automatic winding
Diameter: 25.60 mm (11 ½’’’) 
Height: 3.36 mm
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
Number of components: 192
Jewels: 27
Power reserve: min. 46 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds
Strap
Material: taupe grey alligator
Buckle: steel pin buckle

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Press release - 2018
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Press Contact
Girard-Perregaux,
International PR : christine.giotto@girard-perregaux.com
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