Sunday, February 10, 2019

Harry Winston – AVENUE Classic Aurora Edition

















Harry WinstonAVENUE™ Classic Aurora Quartz Gold Brilliant-cut Edition


Avenue Classic Aurora

A tribute to the Art Deco style that influenced many of Harry Winston’s early designs, the Avenue Classic Aurora exudes the unparalleled glamor of New York, with sparkling diamonds and colorful sapphires.

Strolling down Fifth Avenue


New York’s Fifth Avenue has long played a pivotal role in the history of the House. Home to Harry Winston’s New York Flagship Salon, Fifth Avenue is one of the world’s most prestigious shopping addresses.

When Harry Winston founded his jewelry empire in 1932, the Art Deco movement was in full swing. Inspired by the streamlined styling of this period, the Avenue Classic Aurora features a sophisticated rectangular case set with diamonds and sapphires that emulate the twinkling lights of the city that doesn’t sleep.

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Color is the theme at Harry Winston this year, and the Avenue Classic Aurora models are adorned with 12 baguette-cut pink or blue sapphires. While the Art Deco period is most often classified by its use of black and white color schemes – in part influenced by old movies and photos of the period – the use of color was also a key component of the time.


Dynamic geometry

Presented in luxurious 18-karat white and rose gold cases, the Avenue Classic Aurora plays with the juxtaposition of different sizes, cuts and colors of stones to create a timepiece that tempers bold geometry with dynamic movement.

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Flanking the case are 50 brilliant-cut diamonds that taper at the waist to accommodate the triangular-shaped motif. At either end of the case, the iconic Avenue Collection arches are highlighted in large blue or pink baguette-cut sapphires. Like all timepieces in the Avenue Collection, the gold case and the sapphire crystal protecting the dial are gently cambered throughout to follow the natural curve of the wrist.

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A lustrous white mother-of-pearl dial casts even more light on the timepiece and is printed with black Arabic numerals and an octagonal minute track, shaped in Mr.Winston’s preferred cut for gemstones – the emerald-cut. The 2018 editions feature eight diamond-set indexes and the small seconds counter is paved with 19 brilliant-cut diamonds and encircled by a gold ring.

Color symmetry

The Avenue Classic Aurora is fitted with a high-end Swiss quartz movement designed for carefree maintenance and is presented with an alligator leather strap that echoes the color of the diamonds and sapphires.

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The gold ardillon buckle is set with six brilliant-cut diamonds and features a gold folding clasp that adapts perfectly to the wrist for enhanced comfort and security.

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Technical Specifications

Collection AVENUE

Name Harry Winston Avenue Classic Aurora
               
Reference  AVEQHM21RR125 -  Rose Gold
Reference  AVEQHM21WW292 -  White Gold
               
Movement           
Type    Quartz
Caliber    HW1046  
   
Movement dimensions
Dimensions: 13.0 mm x 15.55 mm
Height: 2.20 mm   
Functions    Hours and minutes, small second       
Case
  • 18K white Gold 
  • 18K Rose Gold
Dimensions: 21.4 mm x 36.1 mm
Height: 6.33 mm       
Crystal    Sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides       
Water-resistance 3 bar   
Gem-setting on the case 
AVEQHM21RR125
  • 💎 50 brilliant-cut diamonds
  • ⚪️ 12  baguette-cut pink sapphires
 AVEQHM21WW292
  • 💎 50 brilliant-cut diamonds
  • ⚪️ 12  baguette-cut blue sapphires
Dial
White mother-of-pearl set with 43 brilliant-cut diamonds
hearts in red mother-of-pearl, 18K gold base and
Emerald applique
Strap
Alligator leather
 AVEQHM21WW292: blue pearl alligator leather
 AVEQHM21RR125: white pearl alligator leather 
Buckle
Buckle 18K white gold or 18K rose gold ardillon buckle set with 6 brilliant-cut diamonds
with 18K white gold or 18K rose gold foldover clasp

Total Gem-Setting 
AVEQHM21RR125:
99 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 3.47 cts)
🔵 12 baguette-cut pink sapphires (approx. 0.79 carat)
AVEQHM21WW292:
99 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 3.47 cts)
🔵 12 baguette-cut blue sapphires (approx. 0.79 carat)


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Friday, February 8, 2019

SEIKO – Grand Seiko ELEGANCE Manual-Wind - 2019


















SEIKOGrand Seiko ELEGANCE Manual-Wind 39 mm Limited Edition - Pre-Basel 2019


A new manual-winding caliber.




A new slim profile. An Urushi dial. 
The Grand Seiko Elegance Collection sets a new course.

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A new dial combines Grand Seiko’s signature Mt. Iwate pattern and “Suki-urushi” lacquer. SBGK002

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Grand Seiko is pleased to announce a new slim design in the Elegance Collection. The combination of a new case, a new manual-winding caliber with a small seconds hand and Urushi lacquer has made possible the creation of a watch that offers a new graceful refinement as well as Grand Seiko’s uniquely Japanese aesthetic.

Caliber 9S63.
A powerful movement that opens up a new design direction

Caliber 9S63 is a significant addition to the ever growing Grand Seiko family of movements. It has been eight years since the last manual-winding mechanical caliber in Grand Seiko and it has been worth the wait.

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Caliber 9S63 offers a small seconds hand at the nine o’clock position and a power reserve indicator at three o’clock.

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While these sub-dials are easy to read, they are also discreetly unobtrusive and allow the eye to enjoy the beauty of the Urushi lacquer of which the dial is made. Caliber 9S63 has a power reserve of 72 hours and delivers an accuracy rate of +5 to -3 seconds a day.


The perfect fusion of two traditions of craftsmanship


A distinctive deep jet black color with the special luster that only the finest Urushi can achieve. SBGK004

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In this new Urushi dialed creation, which is available in two versions, two traditions of Japanese craftsmanship come together. The pure, understated and subtle design aesthetic of Grand Seiko is evident in every detail, as is the skill and care taken by the watchmakers at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio where the watch is made.

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The cases are polished by a special Zaratsu method created to accentuate the beauty of the curved surfaces. The dials and the sapphire crystals are also curved to give the watches a classic look. The minute and power reserve indicator hands are bent so that they follow exactly the domed contour of the dials.

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The dials also showcase a second form of Japanese craftsmanship, Urushi lacquer. The amber color dial is made from a transparent and long lasting Urushi that comes from trees grown in and around the town of Joboji that lies under Mt. Iwate, the mountain that dominates the skyline above the Shizukuishi Watch Studio.

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Through the amber colored “Suki-urushi” lacquer can be seen the subtle Mt. Iwate pattern that reveals the watchmakers’ pride in the natural beauty that surrounds their home. The black dial uses the same lacquer mixed with iron to give it its distinctive deep jet black color.

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On both creations, the hour markers and the “GS” letters are decorated with the traditional Maki-e technique by Urushi master Isshu Tamura in his studio in Kanazawa on the west coast of Japan’s main island. Through the application of layer after layer of lacquer, these markers are given a three dimensional profile and a delicate yet strong presence on the dial.

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Tamura then applies the powder, either 24k gold or platinum, and polishes them by hand using his own special tools to give Maki-e its delicately shimmering appearance. These processes require great dexterity as it is very challenging to give every marker the same depth, especially on a curved surface.

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The minute and power reserve indicator hands are bent by hand to follow perfectly the domed contour of the dial.

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Initially, this new design series consists of three limited editions. The two Urushi dial executions are in 18k rose gold cases and are editions of just 150 while the third, with its blue Mt. Iwate pattern dial, is in stainless steel and is an edition of 1,500.

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All three are available from March, 2019. In addition, a fourth creation, with an 18k yellow gold case, will be added to the permanent Grand Seiko collection in July.

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This series will be available at Grand Seiko and Seiko Boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide.

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Technical Specifications

Collection: ELEGANCE

Model: ELEGANCE Manual-Wind

Movement
Mechanical thin dress series
Caliber 9S63A

Driving system: manual-winding
Vibrations: 28,880 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
Accuracy: +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static)
Power reserve: 72 hours
Number of jewels: 33
Specifications
  • 18k rose gold case (SBGK002, 004)
  • 18k yellow gold case (SBGK006)
  • Stainless steel case (SBGK005)
Urushi lacquer dial (SBGK002, 004)
High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw see-through case back, Screw-down crown
Water resistance: 3 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 39.0mm, Thickness: 11.6mm
Crocodile strap with 18k rose gold buckle (SBGK002, 004)
Crocodile strap with 18k yellow gold buckle (SBGK006)
Three-fold clasp with push button release (SBGK005)

Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe:
  • 31,400 (SBGK002, 004),
  • 7,400 (SBGK005),
  • 20,700 (SBGK006),
Limited edition of 150 (SBGK002, 004),
Limited edition of 1500 (SBGK005)

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Press Release - 2019
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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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