Monday, June 4, 2018

Ateliers deMonaco – ADMIRAL Chronographe Flyback – PRATO Edition




















Ateliers deMonacoADMIRAL Chronographe Flyback – PRATO Carbon dial Steel 42mm Limited Edition



New collection Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato 
in partnership with Prato Automobiles

Ateliers deMonaco and Prato Automobiles, partners since November 2017, share the same requirement for precision and high level performance. The two brands come together with their common values ​​represented by audacity, a sense of aesthetics, the quest for performance, the constant search for innovation, craftsmanship, technology and know-how.

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Automobile enthusiasts generally have a strong interest in precious timekeepers and vice versa.

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In both environments, extreme precision and sporty elegance play an important role. To date, we are launching our new collection entitled: “Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato”.


Prato Automobiles X Ateliers deMonaco

The collaboration between Prato Automobiles and Ateliers deMonaco began six months ago with the launch of the Orage motorcar and the Tourbillon Oculus 1297 Orage watch.


















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The watch includes a microchip inside its strap that allows to open and start the engine of the vehicle. Thus, the Tourbillon Oculus 1297 Orage timepieces are reserved only for the elite owners of the Orage automobiles.

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The watch includes a microchip inside its strap that allows to open and start the engine of the vehicle. Thus, the Tourbillon Oculus 1297 Orage timepieces are reserved only for the elite owners of the Orage automobiles.

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This year, we create a line open to everyone, the Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato collection.

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Its unique design inspired by modern sports cars is head-turning and perfectly embodies the identity of the Orage motorcar. It’s a modern testimony to adrenaline and chills of racing.



Flyback chronograph function

The classic chronograph allows us to measure the time of a given action. Thanks to the flyback function, all you need is a single gesture to go from one measurement of time to another. Indeed, it is no longer necessary to stop, reset and restart the chronograph to measure a succession of events.

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Just by pressing the “flyback” button at 4 o’clock to measure two successive time intervals. This function makes it possible to have a much more precise measurement and simplicity of use.



A patented Flyback mechanism called “direct return to zero”

The dMc-760 manufacture caliber comprises 226 components split between two main parts. The first is the base movement, intended for the hours, minutes and seconds functions. The second is the module that features the flyback chronograph mechanism, which is composed of 96 components.

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In order to always gain in efficiency, our watchmakers have developed a patented system called “direct return to zero”. This instantaneous flyback system is in fact the simplification of a succession of events. Instead of working successively, our system functions directly which means: Pressing the pusher just once, starts the timer again from zero. In this case, the pusher at 4 o’clock and its associated mechanism causes three tasks to be performed very quickly one after the other:

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First, the clutch is disengaged; secondly, the chronograph is reset to zero by means of the single-piece hammer, whose sloping surfaces turn the two zero reset hearts so that the hands reposition themselves vertically; and thirdly, the clutch engages once more as soon as the pusher is released. The sequence of movements involved in this action proceeds directly from the pusher to the clutch lever.


A design developed in collaboration with Prato Automobiles

The Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato collection consists of two models inspired by the Orage motorcar. The first, more classic, features a polished steel case, dauphine hands and two silver-colored counters contrasting a black carbon dial mixed with 18-carat white gold.

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The second, more sporty, has a black DLC steel case, dauphine hands and two rose gold color counters complementing a black carbon dial mixed with 18-carat rose gold. For both versions, Roman numerals are polished, curved, applied and treated with black PVD. The dials are adorned with the logos of “deMonaco” and “Prato”.

A steel case Armure

With the desire to always use state of the art techniques, the 42mm case is treated with a process called Armure that allows steel to be about five times more scratch resistant than ordinary steel. Indeed, it is treated with a chemical process of diffusion of carbon at low temperature which hardens the surface of the steel. From 220 Vickers to 1200 Vickers. This case is both exceptionally ergonomic and comfortable to wear.


An innovative dial

The dials of the two Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato models are inspired by a technique used in the automotive industry called forged carbon. We developed a new method that includes 18-carat gold in the process. This is the first time ever in watchmaking history that such a dial is created.

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To achieve this result, carbon fiber, gold and resin must be mixed and placed in a mold. Then, this mixture is heated and pressed to fix everything and form a block. Thanks to this technique, each dial is unique. After the molding process, each dial is meticulously refined to achieve the perfect shape.

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Technical Specifications

Model:  ADMIRAL Chronographe Flyback – PRATO Carbon dial

Reference: dMc-DMC-CHR-CRG-SB - Black DLC steel
Reference: dMc-DMC-CHR-CWG-S   - Steel

Movement
Automatic dMc-760 caliber
Patented, Flyback Chronograph with ‘’Direct return to zero’’ mechanism
Alternances 28.800 beats/hour (4 Hrz)
38 hours power reserve
32 jewels
Caliber distinction:  
  • Hand decoration on bridges:
  • Perlage, satinage circulaire on automatic bridge.
  • 22K gold hand engraved rotor
Functions
Hour, minutes, small seconds (9 o’clock),
chronograph seconds counter (center),
chronograph minutes counter (3 o’clock), Flyback
Case   
  • Polished, curved and applied roman numerals, PVD plated
  • 3 parts stainless steel case with Armure treatment
Diameter 42 MM
Height 13.3 MM
Full polished and assembled by hand
Front and back sapphire crystal
Multi-layered anti-reflection coating on sapphire crystal
Case back, secured with 6 screws
Water resistant up to 3 ATM
Dial
Sapphire dial
Diamond cut, curved, applied roman indexes, PVD plated 
Hands: Dauphine shaped
Strap       
Hand stitched alligator leather
  • Stainless steel folding buckle with black DLC treatment
  • Stainless steel folding buckle

Edition
Limited Edition to 88 pieces


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www.PratoAutomobiles.com
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Press release - 2018
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For more information, please visit our website or feel free to contact us directly.
You can e-mail Ms Manon Bussodmbussod@ateliers-demonaco.com
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Ateliers deMonaco
Palais de la Scala 1, Avenue Henry Dunant
98000 Monaco
Telephone : +377 97975747

Elisabeth van Pappelendam, PR & Operations Manager
betty@ateliers-demonaco.com mbussod@ateliers-demonaco.com
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Ateliers-DeMonaco.com

Saturday, June 2, 2018

SEIKO – Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 20th Anniversary Edition


















SEIKO – Grand Seiko HERITAGE Hi-Beat 36000 Automatic 20th Anniversary Special Limited Edition






A new Grand Seiko Hi-beat 36000

The quest for high precision

A wristwatch's precision is the ultimate test of its quality, which is why, from the very start, the Grand Seiko team had always put precision at the top of the list of priorities. The company had long been honing the precision of its watches in Japanese chronometer trials but, wanting to test itself against the world’s best, accepted the gracious invitation of Neuchatel and Geneva Observatory chronometer accuracy competitions and participated from the early 1960’s, vying with the world's top watchmakers to make the most accurate watches. It was through this process that the Grand Seiko team became convinced that high-beat movements were the best way to achieve the greatest precision.

In every mechanical watch, the force exerted by the mainspring as it unwinds turns the gears while the constant rate of oscillation of the balance wheel applies a brake on the gears, resulting in the precise rotation of the hands. The precision of a watch therefore depends on the stability of the balance wheel. Just as a fast-spinning top is more stable than a slow-spinning one, the higher the oscillation frequency of the balance, the less susceptible is the movement to the impact of shock and other forces and the greater the precision.

Through its experience in the Observatory competitions, the team identified 36,000 oscillations per hour (10 per second) as the rate needed to achieve both high accuracy and durability and, in 1968, two different high-beat movements were created. The Suwa Seikosha team made the automatic-winding Caliber 61 series and Daini Seikosha the manual-winding Caliber 45 series. With these two new calibers, the company took its place among the select few manufacturers who successfully rose to the high-beat challenge.

By the 1990’s , advances in manufacturing and materials had opened new possibilities in Grand Seiko’s mechanical watchmaking and these advances were used to the full in the creation of the completely new 9S mechanical movement in 1998. Following its development, the engineers began pursuing even higher accuracy and durability and, in 2004, a new project was launched to develop a 10 beat movement that would take Grand Seiko’s precision to a new level.


Three special movements, 
a new case and a unique dial

To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of 9S caliber, the Grand Seiko team has created a series of three limited edition timepieces, each of which pays homage, in its own way, to the remarkable heritage of the 9S caliber.

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To mark this 20th anniversary, Grand Seiko’s award-winning designer, Nobuhiro Kosugi, has crafted a new design based on the foundation of his original 1998 Caliber 9S model.


Hi-Beat 36000 Caliber 9S85

The challenge of making a high-beat movement is one that only a few watchmakers choose to accept. With its higher oscillation rate of ten beats per second, greater accuracy is achievable, but this increased precision comes at a price because the faster rotational speed can take its toll on the power reserve and even the longevity of the whole movement.

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Grand Seiko's 10 beat movement meets these challenges and delivers an accuracy of +5 to –3 seconds a day, a power reserve of 55 hours and the durability for which every Grand Seiko watch is renowned.


New dial pattern

The dial is exceptional. Its design incorporates the special mark used back in the 1960’s to designate watches made by Daini Seikosha, the company known today as Seiko Instruments Inc.

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This long-cherished mark alternates with the initials “GS” in a delicate mosaic that radiates out from the center of the dial in a geometric pattern.

A special oscillating weight

The watch is equipped with a special oscillating weight made of titanium and tungsten.

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The blue titanium surface, achieved by means of anodic oxidation*, is accented in yellow with a GS Lion Emblem and is engraved the words “Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Since 1998”.

*Anodic oxidation treatment

This is a surface treatment in which metals are subjected to electrolysis so as to generate artificially an oxide film.

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Titanium oxide film produces color according to the light refraction index, enabling production of different colors by varying the thickness of the oxide film.

*In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.

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Technical specifications

Collection: HERITAGE

Model: Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 20th Anniversary Limited Edition

Ref. SBGH267G


Movement
Driving system: Automatic with manual winding mechanism
Caliber 9S85
Accuracy (when static): +5 to -3 seconds per day
Note: This accuracy is the result of measuring the loss/gain of the time for seventeen days before the inside movements of the watch are put in the case.
The measurement has been done in the factory where temperatures or position of the movements are controlled.
Normal usage accuracy:  +8 to -1 seconds per day
Power reserve:     Approximately 55 hours
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Jewels:    37 jewels
Case
Stainless steel case
Case back: stainless steel and sapphire crystal
Glass: Dual-curved sapphire crystal glass
Coating: Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Size: Diameter 39.5mm×Thickness 13.0mm
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release, secure lock and slide adjuster

Approximate recommended retail price in USD 6,300

Limited edition of 1.500 pcs

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Press Release - 2018
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www.Grand-seiko.com
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SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION
Mr­­ Noboru­­ Miyadera
2-8-10, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo­­ 105-8467
Japan
Telephone+81 3 6739 2150
Telefax+81 3 6739 2071
seiko-pr@seiko-watch.co.jp
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www.SeikoWatches.com