Thursday, January 5, 2023

IWC – Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” Faction Collaboration

 

IWC SchaffhausenPILOT’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” Faction Skis Collaboration

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN AND FACTION SKIS COLLABORATE TO DESIGN LIMITED-EDITION FREESTYLE SKIS WITH LUMINESCENT “IWC LAKE TAHOE” DESIGN

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IWC Schaffhausen announces a new collaboration with The Faction Collective. In their first joint project, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer and the Swiss high-end ski brand are launching the “Faction Studio 1 IWC Collab Ltd.”

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The skis are limited to 55 pairs and mark the first time Faction has manufactured skis with a luminescent design. The “LAKE TAHOE” and “IWC” letterings on the white topsheet glow in a greenish tone in the dark. In addition, each pair comes with an option to purchase the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” in white ceramic.

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The collaboration between IWC Schaffhausen and Faction brings together two Swiss companies with a proven track record and a high competence in engineering. Both have also acquired unique expertise in advanced performance materials and commit to the highest standards regarding sustainability and responsible production. Faction was founded in 2006 by a group of passionate skiers. Since then, they have earned a reputation for manufacturing high-quality skis and skiing equipment for freeride, freestyle and all-mountain skiing. Several top athletes rely on skis from Faction. Among them is Eileen Gu, IWC Brand Ambassador and Double Olympic Champion.

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“Graphic design with a clear and recognisable expression is an important tool for us at IWC to emphasise the engineering expertise and technicality of the brand. Therefore, designing a pair of skis with Faction was a great challenge. As an enthusiastic snowboarder and skier, I thoroughly enjoyed this project and am very proud of the result”, says Nicholas Schmidt, Head of Brand Creation and Corporate Design at IWC Schaffhausen.

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“In our collaborations, we always look for partners who can contribute new and surprising aspects and inspire our work. IWC Schaffhausen not only has a unique engineering approach and expertise in advanced material, but their design and visual expression also perfectly match what we do at Faction. I am thrilled to be introducing our first luminescent ski design”, explains Olivier Gouby, Chief Brand Officer of Faction.

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Limited to 55 pairs, the “Faction Studio 1 IWC Collab Ltd.” is handmade in Austria in a 100% renewable energy factory. Its wooden core is composed of sustainably harvested poplar and ash. The skis are engineered to the same specifications used by Faction for Eileen Gu’s skis, meaning they can withstand the extreme forces generated by the world’s very best free skiers. 

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A carbon-rubber reinforcement under the binding area adds stability for heavy landings. The carbon weave ensures torsional strength, while the symmetrical shape is optimised for effortless switch skiing. An extra-large 7.5 mm sidewall provides maximum edge hold and protection for the ski’s wooden core.

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The skis feature a tone-on-tone white top sheet and a black base, perfectly matching the design of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” with its crisp white ceramic case and pitch-black dial. “FACTION” and their logo is printed in white on the black base. The white top sheet features the IWC and “Lake Tahoe” logos in luminescent paint. While barely visible during the day, they will glow green in the dark. This project marks the first time that Faction has engineered skis featuring a luminescent design.

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Every pair of the “Faction Studio 1 IWC Collab Ltd.” skis come with an option to purchase the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” (Ref. IW389105).

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Launched at the Watches and Wonders exhibition in Geneva in April, the chronograph is a highlight of IWC’s TOP GUN collection. It features a case made of crisp white ceramic, a pitch-black dial, black hands coated with luminescent materials, and a titanium case back. 

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The contrasting design is inspired by the winter landscape around Lake Tahoe, a mountainous area frequently flown over by the pilots in the U.S. Navy’s TOPGUN school. 

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Colored ceramics are created in a complex manufacturing process in which zirconium oxide is mixed with other metallic oxides and then sintered at high temperatures in a kiln. 

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It takes a lot of experience and know-how to determine the right mixture of raw materials and achieve consistent results across the multi-stage manufacturing process.

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The “Faction Studio 1 IWC Collab Ltd.” skis are available in a limited edition of 55 pairs in two sizes (25 x 171 cm or 30 x 178 cm) on https://factionskis.com/products/studio-1-iwc-collab-ski-2023. When purchasing the skis, the client will also receive an option from IWC to purchase the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe.”

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model  PILOT’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition  

Ref. IW389105 Edition “Lake Tahoe”

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FEATURES

  • Mechanical chronograph movement
  • – Chronograph function for hours, minutes and seconds
  • – Date and day display
  • – Small hacking seconds
  • – Screw-in crown
  • – Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields
  • – Glass secured against displacement caused by drops in air pressure
  • Edition annual production 1000 pieces
MOVEMENT
IWC manufacture calibre 69380
Frequency 28,800 vph/4 Hz
Jewels 33
Power reserve 46 h
Winding Automatic
WATCH
Materials Ceramic case Ceratanium®
Color:  White
Diameter 44.50mm
Height 15.7 mm
Titanium case back, stainless steel crown and pusher
Glass Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides 
Water-resistant 6 bar 
DIAL  
Black
Squadron patch in small seconds counter at 6 o'clock 
12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock 
Luminous hands and hour markers
Day/date feature at 3 o’clock
Strap
White rubber strap
Strap width 22 mm 
 
Limited Edition to 1000 pieces each.
 
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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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Wednesday, January 4, 2023

CERTINA – DS+ Multiply Your Style Сoncept Watches


CERTINA – Concept Kit DS+ Multiply Your Style Powermatic 80 Concept Automatic

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One watch, an infinite number of possibilities. With the DS+, Certina celebrates the premiere of a spectacular new watch concept: a timepiece that offers not just a choice of straps, but a range of watch case shapes as well, to be combined to suit your personal preferences. 

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Choose a sporty or a vintage look, a maritime or urban style: thanks to an ingenious three-part design you can easily change the look of the watch – without using any tools and in just a few steps – to suit your current outfit, a special occasion, or just because you feel like it. At the same time, the reliability, solid construction and precision of the mechanical Powermatic 80 movement with Nivachron™ balance spring remain unchanged. 

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As for the irresistible transformations over time – Certina brings them to the wrist in style, with a timepiece that is more than just a watch, in every respect.

Sophisticated design concept

The secret of the DS+ lies in a three-part construction: watch head, watch case and strap. Each of the three elements is a self-contained unit that can be combined as desired with the other two. The round watch head, available with three different dials, is pressed from below into one of the six stainless steel watch cases and screwed securely into place using a separate crown on the case. 

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An innovative gasket made of bio-sourced material ensures a perfect seal. The strap lugs are located on the case, which makes it possible to use Certina’s quick-change system to attach the desired strap. Certina retail outlets offer the watches in three different kits, each with a watch head, two watch cases and two straps. All elements can also be purchased individually online.

Three kits, and ample space for your individual style

The DS+ kits available in retail present some of the most beautiful combinations. 

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Kit Aqua & Sport takes a dynamic approach: a black dial with sunray finish encounters the maritime watch case with a unidirectional black rotating bezel, and its sporty version with elongated flanks and six screws. 
 
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Both are worn with a black and grey fabric strap made from #tide ocean material® and a three-row metal bracelet.  

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Kit Sport & Urban impresses with its elegant bi-colour visuals. 
 
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The silver dial with gold-coloured indexes and sunray finish is a perfect complement to the pure urban version and its sporty counterpart with its gold PVD coating, dark brown leather strap and stainless steel Milanese bracelet.  

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Kit Urban & Heritage appeals to fans and friends of vintage watches. 
 
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The dark blue dial with sunray finish and gold-coloured indexes comes with a cushion-shaped watch case with four visible screws and the bi-colour urban version, worn with the matching blue NATO fabric strap or three-row metal bracelet.  

In good company, inside and out

A watch with so many design options needs to be powered by a reliable and robust movement. Thus Certina has opted for a modern Powermatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve and NivachronTM balance spring.  This innovative material is unaffected by magnetic fields and delivers maximum mechanical precision over the long term. Along with the hour, minute and seconds hands, the watch has a date window at 6 o’clock. 

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Thanks to its ultra-robust construction with screw-in case back and screw down crown it offers water resistance up to 20 bar (200 m). Each kit is presented in an elegant box in which every element is held securely in its place. And in keeping with our sustainability goals, the packaging is made entirely of recyclable materials.

Experience flexibility

The many different personalisation options offered by the new DS+ can be experienced digitally and close at hand. The online configurator, for example, allows you to easily set up your personal favourite combination at any time and to have it sent directly to your home by the Certina Online Shop. Alternatively, you may wish to have a look at it using the Check & Reserve service at your preferred Certina retailer.

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The three DS+ kits sold at retail dealers, and the additional online order options, are available worldwide from October 2022.
www.certina.com/ds-plus

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection Concept Kit   

Model:  DS+Multiply Your Style Powermatic 80

Movement:        
ETA Powermatic 80.611 automatic with Nivachron™ balance spring, Swiss Made,
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 80 hours
Watch head:    Stainless steel 316L
    Gasket made of biomaterial
    Screw-down crown
    Screw-in transparent case back
    37.4 mm diameter
    Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
    Water-resistant up to 20 bar (200 m)

🔰Kit Aqua & Sport 

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 Dial:    Black with sunray finish;
    Second hand and numerals in white
    Hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova® coating
Watch cases:    Aqua type
    Stainless steel 316L
    Round, 43 mm diameter, unidirectional rotating bezel with black aluminum ring
    Screw-down secure crown at 8 o’clock
    Sports type
    Stainless steel 316L
    Round, 41 mm diameter, with six screws on the upper side of the steel bezel
    Screw-down secure crown at 10 o’clock
Strap/bracelet: 
   Three-row stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp
    Quick-change system
    Grey-black strap made of #tide ocean material® with pin buckle
    Quick-change system

🔰Kit Sport & Urban

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Dial:    Silver dial with sunray finish;
    Indexes with yellow gold-coloured PVD coating
    Hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova® coating
Watch cases:    Sports type
    Stainless steel 316L, bezel with golden PVD coating
    Round, 41 mm diameter, with six screws on the upper side
    Screw-down secure crown at 10 o’clock
    Urban type
    Stainless steel 316L
    Round, 40.0 mm diameter
    Screw-down secure crown at 10 o’clock
Strap/bracelet:    Dark brown calfskin with pin buckle
    Quick-change system
    Stainless steel Milanese bracelet with butterfly clasp
    Quick-change system


🔰Kit Urban & Heritage  

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 Dial:    Dark blue with sunray finish;
    Indexes with yellow gold-coloured PVD coating
    Hour and minutes hands with Super-LumiNova® coating
Watch cases:        Urban type
    Stainless steel 316L, bezel with golden PVD coating
    Round, 40.0 mm diameter
    Screw-down secure crown at 10 o’clock
    Heritage type
    Stainless steel 316L
    Cushion-shaped, 43.4 x 45.0 mm, with four screws on the top side
    Screw-down secure crown at 10 o’clock
Strap/bracelet:    Three-row stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp
    Quick-change system
    Blue NATO strap with pin buckle
    Quick-change system

Special features:        DS (Double Security), exchangeable watch cases and straps, Nivachron™ balance spring

Reference/Price:    

    C041.407.19.051.00    Kit Aqua & Sport
        Switzerland CHF 970.00*

    C041.407.19.031.01    Kit Sport & Urban
        Switzerland CHF 960.00*

    C041.407.19.041.01    Kit Urban & Heritage
        Switzerland CHF 940.00*

Available from fall 2022  *recommended retail prices

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Press release - 2022
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Contact:    Certina SA,
Mattenstrasse 149, 2503 Biel – Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)32/933 3550 / E-mail: pr@certina.com 
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