Wednesday, June 8, 2022

IWC – BIG PILOT’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS”

IWC SchaffhausenBIG PILOT's Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition "AMG ONE OWNERS" Special Editions 2022

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE BIG PILOT’S WATCH WITH CONSTANT-FORCE TOURBILLON IN TITANIUM ALUMINIDE AND CERATANIUM®

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Schaffhausen, 3 June 2022 – In collaboration with its partner Mercedes-AMG, IWC Schaffhausen has created the Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS”. Available exclusively for future owners of the performance hybrid Mercedes-AMG ONE, this masterpiece of horological engineering features the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s patented constant-force mechanism, which transmits completely even impulses of force to the escapement. The case is made of titanium aluminide (TiAl), an advanced high-tech material that is extremely challenging to machine. Thanks to its high temperature resistance, this intermetallic compound is also used for components of high-performance engines in motorsport. The striking design features details and colour codes are directly inspired by the Mercedes-AMG ONE.

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Since the birth of Formula 1™, engineers have been dreaming of bringing the supreme technology from the elite class of motor racing to the streets. After a long engineering journey, Mercedes-AMG is about to make this dream come true.

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The German performance and sports car manufacturer will soon initiate the production of the Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar. The two-seater will transfer the latest and most efficient Formula 1™ hybrid technology almost one to one from the racetrack to the street for the first time. The performance hybrid will produce over 1,000 horsepower at a maximum speed of over 350 km/h.

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    “The Mercedes-AMG ONE sets a new benchmark in automotive engineering. It is absolutely remarkable to see Formula 1™ technology outside the racing track in the usual urban context. To accompany its launch, we have engineered a timepiece that similarly represents the pinnacle of watchmaking and material science. It combines one of our technically most advanced movements and complications with high end performance materials such as titanium aluminide (TiAl) and Ceratanium®,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” (Ref. 590502) features IWC’s patented constant-force mechanism. This complication disengages the escapement from the direct flow of power through the wheel train and transmits completely even impulses of energy to the escape wheel. As a result, even as the torque in the mainspring diminishes, the balance wheel oscillates with virtually the same amplitude.

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In combination with the tourbillon, which compensates for the negative influences of gravity, this ensures a highly exact rate. The IWC-manufactured 94800 calibre is manually wound and stores a power reserve of 96 hours in its twin barrels.

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The fully blackened movement is visible through the sapphire glass back. The case back is made of Ceratanium®. Based on a special titanium alloy, this IWC-developed material is as light and rigid as titanium and, at the same time, almost equally as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic

TITANIUM ALUMINIDE REFLECTS IWC’S UNIQUE TITANIUM LEGACY

The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” reflects the unique competence IWC acquired in machining titanium since the 1980s. The case is made of titanium aluminide (TiAl). TiAl is lighter and harder than conventional titanium, highly resistant to corrosion, and biocompatible. This high-tech material belongs to the group of intermetallic compounds. Due to the specific mixing ratio of titanium and aluminium, atoms and electrons arrange themselves in a particular way. This causes the material to have certain nonmetallic properties in addition to the classic properties of a metal. In the case of TiAl, it is its high temperature resistance that stands out. For this reason, the material is used for the turbine blades of modern jet engines, where lightness and temperature resistance are essential requirements. Its specific properties also make it the ideal choice for components of high-performance engines in motorsport.

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Because titanium aluminide has a difficult machining behaviour, manufacturing a TiAl watch case is a real engineering feat. In addition, the requirements for the purity of the raw materials are very high, and the production of the titanium aluminide alloy is costly and complex. Today, IWC is one of the few watch manufacturer capable of producing a titanium aluminide case. The case of the Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” is elaborately finished with polished and sandblasted surfaces

A DESIGN INSPIRED BY THE MERCEDES-AMG ONE 

In addition to the constant-force tourbillon at 9 o’clock,the black dial also features a double moon phase display for the northern and southern hemispheres and a power reserve display at 4 o’clock, reminiscent of a tachometer. The louvred, ring-shaped structure of the outer dial ring takes inspiration from the air inlets that dominate the front of the Mercedes-AMG ONE. The design also features details in Petronas green – the signature colour of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ team, whose plug-in hybrid technology the new car brings to the street. A thin ring in Petronas green, for example, marks the transition between the polished and sandblasted parts of the case. Details in Petronas green can also be found on the dial and on some of the movement components. 

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The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” is fitted with a two-tone rubber strap. Manufactured using the so-called multi-component injection moulding process, it is black on the outside and green on the inside. Numerous Mercedes stars in Petronas green are visible on the outer side of the strap. 

The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” will be available exclusively to the future owners of the Mercedes-AMG ONE. If you are a car owner, Mercedes-AMG and IWC Schaffhausen will contact you with information regarding the order process.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection:  BIG PILOT’s Watch 

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Model BIG PILOT’s Watch CConstant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS”

 
REF. IW590502 - Aluminide (TiAl) Ceratanium ®

FEATURES
Mechanical movement – Power reserve display
– Tourbillon with integrated constant-force mechanism
– Perpetual moon phase display for both northern and southern hemispheres
– See-through sapphire glass back – Screw-in crown
– Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure
– Available exclusively to Mercedes-AMG ONE owners


MOVEMENT 
Winding Hand-wound
IWC manufacture calibre 94800
Frequency 18,800 vph / 2.5 Hz
Tourbillon with integrated constant-force mechanism
341 Components
Jewels 41
Power reserve display
Power reserve 4 days (96 h)
CASE
Materials Titanium aluminide (TiAl) case, titanium crown
Diameter 46.2 mm
Height 13.5 mm
Crystal Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistance 6 bar
DIAL
Black dial, black hands with luminescence
STRAP
Black and green rubber strap
Titanium folding clasp
Strap width 22.0 mm

🔴 Price: retail price EUR 250,000 💰


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Press releases - 2022
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 IWC Schaffhausen
Uwe Liebminger
Department Manager Public Relations
Mobile  +41 (0)79 957 72 52
E-mail  uwe.liebminger@iwc.com
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Tuesday, June 7, 2022

AUDEMARS PIGUET – ROYAL OAK Selfwinding Carolina Bucci 34 mm Black Ceramic Edition

 

AUDEMARS PIGUETROYAL OAK Selfwinding Black Ceramic 34 mm “Limited Edition Carolina Bucci”  2022

NEW LIMITED EDITION ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING 34 mm IN BLACK CERAMIC IN COLLABORATION WITH CAROLINA BUCCI

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Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer Audemars Piguet is proud to present a new limited edition 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding in black ceramic. This timepiece is the fruit of the latest collaboration between the Manufacture and Carolina Bucci. 

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In celebration of the Royal Oak’s fiftieth anniversary, the Italian jewellery designer has created a dial endowed with a unique multi-coloured mirror effect paying tribute to the iconic Tapisserie design. The result is as unexpected as it is elegant. This limited edition is designed for both men and women and is available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques and AP Houses.

A SUBTLE AND UNEXPECTED AESTHETIC

For her third collaboration with Audemars Piguet, Carolina Bucci has left behind her hammering technique, known as Frosted Gold, to enrich an all-black ceramic piece with a surprising dial. 

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Always looking to meet new challenges, she decided to focus on contrasts. At first glance, the dial appears black, but on closer inspection it reveals a multi-coloured spectrum that brings the Tapisserie effect to life in the ever-changing light. 

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To reach this result, a sapphire plate adorned with little squares achieved through micro-structuring is added on top of the brass dial plate to create rich rainbow-coloured plays of light. 

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A golden metallisation, specially developed for the occasion, is also applied onto the back of the sapphire plate to create a mirror effect and shine lights onto the dial. The pattern of iridescent colours varies from dial to dial, making each design unique

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This limited edition comes in a presentation box that has also been designed by Carolina Bucci. For this special occasion, the jewellery designer wanted to use the Tapisserie pattern in relief, going into the finest details, to pay homage to the 1972 classic.

MATERIALS FULL OF CONTRASTS

The black ceramic case and bracelet are highlighted by hexagonal pink gold screws that secure the bezel and create an elegant contrast of colours. All the components of the case and bracelet are finished with the Manufacture’s signature satin-finishing that is paired with polished chamfers for a maximum play on light.

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The bracelet has been slightly revised to provide a better visual effect. The pins connecting the links to the studs are no longer visible from the side, but are directly integrated into the studs.

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The titanium and sapphire caseback is engraved with the inscription Limited Edition Carolina Bucci” and reveals the Calibre 5800 beneath, which indicates the hours, minutes, seconds and date. In keeping with the finish on the screws, hour-markers and hands, the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight features elegant microbead-blasted, polished and satin finishes.

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On the dial, the AP monogram has vanished to leave pride of place to the long-form signature which has been engraved on top of the sapphire plate and filled with white lacquer due to the singularity of the dial imagined by Carolina Bucci.

A COLLABORATION IN CONSTANT EVOLUTION

Carolina Bucci first started working with Audemars Piguet in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of the women’s Royal Oak that was created by Jacqueline Dimier in 1976. It was for this special occasion that the Italian designer was invited to reinterpret the original design by Gérald Genta. Together with the Manufacture’s watchmakers, she brought the ancestral technique of Florentine hammering, or Frosted Gold, to the complex architecture of the Royal Oak.  

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This technique consists of creating tiny indentations in the gold with a diamond-tipped tool that results in a sparkle that looks like diamond dust. Two models were initially released – the 15454 in 37 mm and the 67652 in 33 mm in a choice of white or pink gold – during an international event with Jacqueline Dimier in attendance. This marked the beginning of Audemars Piguet’s collaboration with Carolina Bucci. Since 2016, the Frosted Gold finish has been applied to numerous watch collections, sizes and complications.  

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In 2018, the designer signed a limited edition of 300 pieces for Audemars Piguet, entirely crafted in frosted yellow gold with a unique dial. Instead of the model’s trademark Tapisserie design, Carolina Bucci chose a mirrored dial with a flat surface evoking the surface of a lake on a calm day, reflecting the surrounding landscape. Despite its apparent simplicity, the mirrored dial presented a number of technical challenges that the Manufacture’s artisans were able to overcome to perfection.  

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In 2020, she went on to design the K.I.S.S. collection of gold bracelets – available in two sizes and numerous tones with matching necklaces – that were inspired by her previous projects with the Manufacture. These creations reinterpret the aesthetic codes of a mechanical watch spring, creating a link between Haute Joaillerie and Haute Horlogerie

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Today, Carolina Bucci pays tribute to the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, with a design in black ceramic contrasted with multi-coloured reflections on the dial, providing the watch with unexpected plays of light. 

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The Royal Oak Selfwinding 34 mm will not only surprise watch lovers with its iridescence, but will also seduce them with its sober and discreet refinement.  

Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.” 

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model: 
Royal Oak Selfwinding Carolina Bucci Limited Edition  / 34 mm

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 Ref. 77350CE.OO.1266CE.02

MOVEMENT
Selfwinding Calibre 5800
Total diameter 23.9 mm (10½ lignes)
Total thickness 3.9 mm
Number of jewels 29
Number of parts 186
Minimum guaranteed power reserve 50 hours
Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hours)
FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date.
CASE
Black ceramic case, 18-carat pink gold screws
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Diameter: 34 mm
Thickness: 8.8 mm
Titanium and glareproofed sapphire caseback
Water-resistant to 50 m.
DIAL
Rainbow-coloured sapphire dial with mirror polished effect highlighting the laser-structured drawing imitating the geometry of the Royal Oak Tapisserie
Pink gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
BRACELET
Black ceramic bracelet with titanium AP folding clasp.

🔰 Limited edition of 300 pieces

 🔴 Price: Swiss retail price US$ 54,200 / CHF 48’500 💰

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Press Release - 2022
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Audemars Piguet (Marketing) SA
Route de France 16 - Case postale 16
1348 Le Brassus - Switzerland
Phone : + 41 21 642 39 00
Fax : + 41 21 642 34 02
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