Tuesday, October 18, 2022

F.P.Journe – Chronometre OPTIMUM Foundation PRINCE ALBERT II 2022 – Unique Piece

F.P.Journe Limited SERIES Chronomètre OPTIMUM  Foundation PRINCE ALBERT II 2022 Platinum 40 mm – Unique Piece


A Unique F.P.Journe timepiece created specially for the 8th edition of the "Ball in Monaco" in Singapore - Charity auction on October 28, 2022

At the previous "Ball in Monaco" edition organized by The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2018, the auction of a unique version of the F.P.Journe Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante raised SG$ 400,000.
 
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For the 8th edition of the "Ball in Monaco", F.P.Journe donates a unique piece specially made for the occasion, a Chronomètre Optimum with a burgundy color and ruthenium-plated guilloché Silver dial and Chinese numerals. 
 
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This unique F.P.Journe Chronomètre Optimum has the lucky chance serial number 508-CO as well as a bespoke engraving on the movement, “S.A.S Albert II 2022 Singapore”.
 
The funds collected will be used by the Foundation to support concrete actions in Asia for the protection of the Ocean, the main theme of this "Ball in Monaco".

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Combining modern technology with the rich heritage of the knowledge of time-telling history left to us by the great Masters, the Chronomètre Optimum joins the ranks of the iconic timepieces created by F.P.Journe Haute Horlogerie in its constant quest for precision, innovation and excellence.

Like all the models of the Classique collection, the Chronomètre Optimum has a manually wound mechanical movement manufactured in 18K rose Gold. It symbolises the very essence of precision in a wristwatch, testifying to the accomplishment of F.P.Journe’s chronometric research.
 
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F.P.Journe watches possess an exclusive calibre 1510 that is invented, produced, and assembled entirely in the Manufacture’s workshops in the heart of Geneva. The movement of the Centigraphe Souverain (calibre 1510), manufactured in 18K rose Gold with Côtes de Genève on bridges.

The constant-force remontoire (patent EP1528443.A1) balances the driving force applied to the escapement to make it constant. By adding an extra gear representing an independent system wound in short spurts by the mainspring, the escapement ensures the balance's isochronism. This remontoire, made of titanium for the first time, maintains its balance in different positions, for greater efficiency.

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The EBHP High-Performance Bi-axial Escapement has also been patented (patent EP11405210.3). This two-wheel direct impulse escapement functions without oil and is the only direct impulse escapement to start up on its own. But not only does it function without lubricant, it also has far greater output than the majority of escapements: 50-70 hours without loss of amplitude. Many dual-wheel escapements have been created in the past, the most efficient being the "natural" escapement invented by A-L. Breguet (†1823). The balance with a spiral with Phillips curve guarantees better equilibrium.
 
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The Chronomètre Optimum contains a majority of exceptional components, here brought together for the first time in a watch: 2 barrels in parallel, the constant force remontoire, the revolutionary new high-performance bi-axial EBHP escapement, and natural dead-beat seconds. Due to these extraordinary technical achievements, this watch achieves the feat of telling time with here brought together for the first time in a watch: 2 barrels in parallel, the constant force remontoire, the revolutionary new high-performance bi-axial EBHP escapement, and natural dead-beat seconds. Due to these extraordinary technical achievements, this watch achieves the feat of telling time with near perfect accuracy.
 
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The aesthetics of the hour, minutes and small seconds displays and the 70-hour power reserve harmonise perfectly with the wheel of the remontoire, visible on the dial. The sapphire case back reveals the 18K rose Gold movement, with its surprising natural dead-beat seconds framed by the seconds circle screwed to the movement’s bridges.
 
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In an ongoing quest for precision, innovation and excellence, the Chronomètre Optimum symbolizes the very essence of François-Paul Journe's chronometric research for a wristwatch. At 11 o'clock, the wheel of the Remontoir d’égalité can be seen through an opening that invites you to discover the heart of the watch. On the back, the 18K rose gold movement reveals a natural deadbeat second delineated by a seconds circle screwed onto the bridges. 
 
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This Calibre 1510 also benefits from two barrels and a High-Performance Bi-axial Escapement (EBHP), a patented F.P.Journe invention, and is housed in a 40 mm Platinum case. 
 
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The funds collected will be used by the Foundation to support concrete actions in Asia for the protection of the Ocean, the main theme of this "Ball in Monaco".

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Technical Specifications

Collection SOUVERAINE

 Model: Chronometre OPTIMUM Foundation PRINCE ALBERT II 2022 Unique Piece
 
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 Ref. 508-CO

Movement
    Manuel Calibre 1510
    Manuel winding / 27 turns of crown
    18K rose gold (4N)
    Jewels: 44
    Power reserve: 70 ± 2 hours
Dimensions of the Movement
   Overall diameter: 34.40 mm
   Casing-up diameter: 33.60 mm
   Overall height: 3.75 mm
   Height of winding stem: 2.395 mm
   Diameter of stem thread: S1.20 mm
Balance 
  Chronometric balance with inertia weight
  Hair spring with Phillips curve
  Mobile stud holder
  Free sprung
  Pinned GE stud
  Frequency: 21,600v/h (3Hz)
  Inertia: 10.10 mg x cm2
  Angle of lift: 58°
  Amplitude: 0h dial up : > 260°/ 24h dial up : > 260°
Main characteristics
  1 second remontoire at 11h, very light in Titanium and balanced
  Natural dead beat second on the back of the movement
  (EBHP) High performance Bi-axial escapement with arbor and wheels in Titanium, functioning without oil,
(inspired by that of A.L.Breguet created in the XVIII Century)
  2 mainspring barrels in parallel
  2 position crown
  Time adjustment in position 2
Indications
  •   Off centre hours and minutes at 3h00
  •   Small second at 9h00
  •   Power reserve at 6h00
  •   Large dead beat second on the back
Finishes
  Circular graining on baseplate
  Geneva waves on bridges
  Polished screw heads with chamfered slots
  Pegs with polished rounded ends
Case
Platinum PT 950
Diameter: 40 mm
Total height: 9.05 mm
Dial
Unique burgundy colour and ruthenium-plated guilloché Silver, Chinese numerals
Hands: blued Steel and ivory coloured Steel
Number of parts
Movement without dial: 240
Cased up with strap: 264
Jewels: 44
Strap
Alligator straps


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Press release - 2022
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www.facebook.com - fpjourneofficial
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MONTRES JOURNE SA
Brigitte Bocquet-Makhzani - Communication
International PR & Events Manager
17, rue de l’Arquebuse – 1204 Geneva – Switzerland
Tel : +41 (0)22 322 09 09
Fax : +41 (0)22 322 09 19
e-mail: bmakhzani@fpjourne.com
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www.F.P.Journe.com 

Monday, October 17, 2022

AUDEMARS PIGUET – Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

 

AUDEMARS PIGUETCode 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon White Gold 41 mm Black Onyx Dial 50th Anniversary 2022

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AUDEMARS PIGUET RELEASES ITS FIRST
EVER
Code 11.59 SELFWINDING FLYING
TOURBILLON

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is happy to present its latest Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon enriched with a black onyx dial. The timepiece encompasses a stylised two-tone case design interweaving black ceramic with 18-carat white gold for a powerful contrast. 

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The watch’s blend of natural stone, precious metal and high-tech ceramic furthers the collection’s creative expression.

BLACK ONYX PURE ELEGANCE

The new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet gives pride of place to the black onyx dial, whose purity is highlighted by the absence of hour-markers. This stone dial has been crafted in collaboration with long-term partner Someco, a company specialised in dial manufacturing since 1966 and located in La Chaux-de-Fonds. 

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Carved out of a single black onyx stone, the dial has then been cut into a thin disc, ground, sanded and polished to perfection before being inserted into the dial’s pink-gold-toned brass base plate. Its polished finishing confers it an elegant shine, magnified by the watch’s double curved sapphire crystal. Each dial is unique, as each stone has its own natural composition, texture and colour and reacts differently to the manufacturing and finishing operations.

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The overall minimalist design is enriched with pink gold accents, including pink gold hands and a discreet pink-gold-toned minute track printed on the black lacquered inner bezel. The polished laser-cut pink gold “Audemars Piguet” signature has been applied onto the dial with dedicated legs specifically adapted to the stone’s thickness. 

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Lastly, the flying tourbillon cage, encircled by a delicate pink-gold-toned thread, matching with the balance wheel pulsating within, makes its rotations at 6 o’clock. For the first time, the top bridge of the flying tourbillon cage has been finished with black PVD in an echo to the dial’s colour. The black rubber-coated strap, finished with a textured motif, enhances the watch’s contemporary look.

TWO-TONE CASE AESTHETIC

BLENDING BLACK CERAMIC AND WHITE GOLD
The Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon is endowed with a contemporary two-tone case design. While the bezel, lugs and caseback are crafted in 18-carat white gold, the octagonal case middle is honed from black ceramic. First introduced on the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph in 2021, this two-tone case aesthetic makes its debut this year on some of the collection’s complicated models.  

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Blending advanced technology and time-honoured tradition, the case required complex programming, dedicated tools and highly specialised human talents for its industrialisation and the hand finishing of its components. Similarly to the 2021 Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph, the ceramic case middle has been crafted in collaboration with Bangerter, a Swiss family-owned company specialised in the manufacturing of precision components made of advanced ceramics, tungsten carbide and other super hard materials.

The manufacturing of the case middle follows a complex industrial flow. Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) powder is combined with binder content, the composition of which remains the secret of the company. This feedstock is given preliminary shape on latest generation 5-axis CNC machine technology. After this first machining process, the binder is removed. The watch component obtains its hardness and final colour by sintering at approximately 1,400° C

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The component is then hard machined with high-precision diamond tools before being pre-polished and pre-satin-brushed. Ultimately, like the gold components, the ceramic case middle is meticulously hand-finished with the Manufacture’s trademark alternation of satin brushing and polished chamfers, endowing the timepiece with a rich play of light. The artisans’ final challenge is to reach perfect alignment between the rounded and angular surfaces of the ceramic and gold elements, a task that can only be achieved by hand.

Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model:  CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon / 41mm

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Ref. 26396NB.OO.D002KB.01

Movement 
Hand-wound Manufacture calibre 2950
Total diameter: 31.50 mm (13 ¾ lignes)
Total thickness: 6.19 mm
Number of jewels: 27
Number of parts: 270

Minimal guaranteed power reserve: 65 h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (= 21,600 vibrations/hour)

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Functions
  • Tourbillon
  • Hours
  • Minutes
Case
Diameter 41 mm
Black ceramic case middle, 18-carat white gold bezel, lugs, caseback and crown, 
double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, glareproofed sapphire caseback.
Thickness: 11.8 mm
Water-resistant to 20 m
Dial
Black onyx dial
Black lacquered inner bezel.
Openworked
18-carat pink gold hands 
Bracelet
Black rubber-coated strap with 18-carat white gold AP folding clasp.


Price: CHF 175,000

  New Product Overview 2022

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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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