Monday, February 27, 2023

PORSCHE DESIGN – Chronograph 1 GP 2023 Edition

PORSCHE DESIGN  –  Chronograph 1 GP 2023 Edition

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Tradition Meets Zeitgeist – On the Wrist and On the Ice Racetrack

Porsche Design is once again the official timing partner of the GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, in January 2023. For the fourth new edition of the legendary ice race, the design brand is presenting a special edition of the Chronograph 1 in a limited edition of 250 pieces. 

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Ferdi Porsche, nephew of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the founder of Porsche Design, and organizer of the GP Ice Race since 2019, was even more closely involved in the development of the chronograph this time and set decisive accents in the design process.

Back to the Roots

For Ferdi Porsche, the collaboration with Porsche Design is very close to his heart, because it was his uncle who revolutionized the world of watches back in 1972 with the Chronograph I, the first all-black wristwatch, thus laying the foundation for the Porsche Design brand. With this partnership, Porsche Design is sending a clear signal, as Zell am See has also been home to the design studio for decades. Since 1974, functional and iconic Porsche designs have conquered the world from here. 

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Together with his feel for form and color, the trained architect Ferdi Porsche incorporated his uncle’s philosophy into the creation of the timepiece with the design team of Studio F. A. Porsche. He intensively accompanied the development of the chronograph in Porsche’s own watch factory in Solothurn, Switzerland. The result is a timepiece that is visually based on the original from 1972 but, at the same time, embodies a modern zeitgeist. “It has become a very distinctive chronograph that takes me back to my roots. Always on my wrist, the timeless design is the perfect companion for any style, any occasion, and on any day. The special thing about it is that motorsport enthusiasts immediately recognize the story behind it,” says Ferdi Porsche.

Innovation by Tradition

The focus in the development process of the new Chronograph 1 – GP 2023 Edition was on optimizing its function as a timekeeping instrument and on the racetrack. The design of the GP timepiece is faithfully based on its iconic model from 1972, which was derived from the aesthetics of the dashboard of the Porsche 911. Fluorescent hour indices and exceptionally bright Super-LumiNova® luminous material create a maximum contrast on the matte-black dial. 

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Together with the seven-fold antireflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with hard coating, this ensures optimal readability. But it would not be a “genuine” timepiece in the sense of the Porsche Design founder if its functionality and refined design details had not been further developed in crucial places: the pointed minute hand (rectangular in the original), the red stop hands (white in the original), and the uncoated silver titanium case. 

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The latter is more than an innovative design statement of the young generation that makes this limited edition of the Chronograph 1 unique. Rather, the goal here is to reduce weight. A highly precise drive is produced by the WERK 01.240 caliber with flyback function and COSC certification, innovative quick-switch date display, and bilingual day display. The case is dynamically water-resistant to 10 bar and has a diameter of 40.8 mm. As a reminder of the original, the historic Porsche Design logo can be found on the dial, crown, and clasp as well as on the back of the case. In addition to the edition number, another highlight is a laser engraving of the GP logo: a Yeti sitting on a tractor. The bezel has a 60-minute scale, and the controls are in contrasting black.

Special Textile Strap for Racing Drivers and Winter Sports Enthusiasts

The GP 2023 Edition features two bracelet variants. The modern white GP badge, which already adorned the GP 2022 Edition, ensures a high level of functionality, as the textile strap allows the watch to be put on quickly and worn comfortably over a ski or racing suit – for example, when skijoring. In this traditional ice-racing winter sport, daredevil skiers were originally pulled across the ice track by horses; today, this is done by horsepower in the form of sports cars. 

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As an alternative to the special GP badge, the strap is also available as a classic black version made of fine vehicle leather and with a matte-black titanium folding clasp. Customers receive the high-quality timepiece in a black box with a laser-engraved acrylic plaque. A must-have for all watch enthusiasts and Porsche fans.

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The strictly limited Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – GP 2023 Edition can be ordered from December 15, 2022, onwards at porsche-design.com and in Porsche Design Stores worldwide at a price of 8.950 euros.

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 About the GP Ice Race:

With the GP Ice Race 2023, a spectacular event is now picking up speed once again – a collaboration that combines both sports cars and time as well as tradition and the future in an innovative and highly aesthetic way. Three exciting days of motorsport under extreme conditions and an extraordinary atmosphere. It almost fell into oblivion. After a break of almost half a century, the tradition has come back to life. What started as an idea of two friends is a spectacular winter event for motorsport fans. The values that the GP Ice Race has always stood for, such as tradition and innovation, will now be joined by another mission that is very close to the initiators’ hearts – the Ice Race is to become a synonym for sustainable motorsport and future-oriented mobility. Very much in keeping with Prof. F. A. Porsche, who likewise always left his unique designs as a legacy for tomorrow’s world.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection:   Chronograph 1 Editions

Model:   Chronograph 1 GP 2023 Edition

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Ref. WAP0710110P0GP 

Mechanism
Caliber: Porsche Design caliber WERK 01.240, chronograph with flyback function, COSC-certified
Swiss caliber with flyback chronograph function, day and date display, automatic winding from the Porsche Design Manufaktur in Solothurn
•    Rotor: 911 Dakar winding rotor, 360-degree rotor in rim design
•    Diameter: 13 ¼ ''' [30,00mm]
•    Height: 8.50 mm
•    Power reserve: 48 hours
•    Frequency: 28,800 per hour [4Hz]
•    Jewels: 25 
•    Regulator system ETACHRON and regulator corrector
•    Balance: Glucydur
•    Shock protection: Incabloc
•    Mainspring: Nivaflex
•    Bridges: load/stress optimised barrel bridge according to Porsche’s lightweight principle
•    Winding: energy-optimised rotor
•    Chronometer-certified (C.O.S.C.)
Long-term test in compliance with Chronofiable criteria: 10,000 cycles per push-piece; Porsche Design tapestry engraved on load-path-optimized bridges
Case
        Diameter: 40.80 mm
        Height: 14.15 mm
        Material: Titanium carbide, bead-blasted titanium case
        Black-coated lug modules, crown and pushers
        Finishing: made of extremely lightweight and durable titanium carbide
        Crown: Screw-fastened
        Glass: Sapphire crystal with hard coating, scratch-proof and with sevenfold anti-glare properties on both sides
        Case back: Screw-down, with solid caseback
        Water-resistant: Up to 10 bar (dynamic)
Dial
        Black matte dial
  • Minute, hour, running indicator display at 9 o’clock
  • Chronograph second hand and 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock
  • 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
  • Date and day of the week window at 3 o’clock
Strap
Textile GP strap to be worn over a racing suit
Also includes a classic black leather strap with folding clasp in titanium
        Clasp: Black titanium titanium folding buckle
Equipped with a quick-change mechanism, includes folding clasp with pushers in Black titanium
 
🔴 Price: US$ 9.650 / EUR 8,950  💰
🔰Limited to only 250 pieces

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www.porsche.com
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Press Release - 2023
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Press Contacts:
Porsche Design Group
Angélique Kreichgauer
Head of Public Relations
Tel.: +49 [0] 152 3911-6242
E-Mail: angelique.kreichgauer@porsche-design.de

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Sunday, February 26, 2023

AUDEMARS PIGUET – Royal Oak Selfwinding 37 mm Gold Turquoise Dial

 

AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Selfwinding 37 mm Yellow Gold Natural Turquoise Dial 2023

 AUDEMARS PIGUET UNVEILS A NEW ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING YELLOW GOLD MODEL WITH A NATURAL TURQUOISE DIAL

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is happy to unveil a new version of its 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding model, entirely crafted in 18-carat yellow gold and illuminated by a natural turquoise dial. 

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This original combination of precious materials endows the timepiece with unprecedented radiance. Used in jewellery for more than 3,000 years, turquoise is a rare stone to which a wealth of positive attributes are ascribed and that naturally finds its place in the Royal Oak collection.

NATURAL TURQUOISE RARITY MEETS POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES

This new 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding watch features an intensely radiant turquoise dial. Cut to form a slender disc, the turquoise has then been ground, sandblasted and polished before being integrated into a gilded brass outer casing. The overall thickness is just 0.75 mm. Each dial is one of a kind because every stone has its own natural composition, texture and colour, thus reacting differently to different machining operations or finishes.

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Originating from Mexico, the turquoise carefully selected to adorn this new model features a discreet pattern in a darker hue, making the appearance of each dial unique.

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Already used by the Egyptian and Chinese civilisations more than 3,000 years ago, turquoise is among the world’s oldest stones. This combination of historical heritage and vibrant colour makes it one of the jewellery industry’s most precious and sought-after gems. It is also reputed to have many spiritual benefits while bringing health, good luck and protection.

DAZZLING DESIGN

This is the first 37 mm Royal Oak variation in yellow gold since 2018. The case, bezel and integrated bracelet feature the Manufacture’s trademark touch in terms of hand-finishing with alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces performed by the artisans in Le Brassus.

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Framed by this yellow gold case, the natural turquoise dial brings ocean-like intensity. Its blue shade strikes a contrast with the yellow gold hands and hour-markers featuring a luminescent coating enabling optimal readability in the dark. The turquoise is embellished by the polished yellow gold applique bearing the "Audemars Piguet" signature, which has been affixed to the dial with tiny feet specially designed to fit the thickness of the stone. The date window in the same colour as the stone ensures pleasing aesthetic harmony.

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This new reference also showcases the design evolution that marked the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary by reinforcing its ergonomics as well as its visual impact. The corresponding developments visible on this 37 mm model include larger chamfers, trapeze-shaped first links on the tapering bracelet showing a pronounced decrease in thickness, along with a sapphire caseback slightly more integrated into the case middle.

NEW-GEN SELFWINDING CALIBRE

This Royal Oak model is equipped with the latest selfwinding hour, minute, seconds and date movement from the Manufacture, Calibre 5900, which first appeared in 2022 on certain 37 mm references. This movement combines a slim 3.9 mm thickness, a high 4Hz frequency and a 60-hour power reserve. 

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The mechanism is visible through the sapphire caseback revealing the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight along with the refined decorations adorning the components, such as the polished angles, vertical satin brushing, Côtes de Genève, circular graining and chamfering.

A TRADITION OF NATURAL STONE DIALS

While mineral or precious stone dials emerged on pocket watches in the late 19th century, it was not until the 20th century emergence of smaller-diameter wristwatches that the use of these fragile dials became more common.

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Stone dials flourished at Audemars Piguet between the late 1960s and the 1990s, at a time characterised by a revival of creativity in wristwatch design. The timepieces were thus adorned with a multitude of colours thanks to tiger's eye, lapis lazuli, aventurine, garnet, mother-of-pearl, opal, ruby, amethyst and jasper.

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The new 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding model extends this creative heritage by combining the natural brilliance of turquoise with a case entirely crafted in yellow gold, giving life to a timepiece with a resolutely sunny personality and positive vibes. 

"Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.”

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Collection : ROYAL OAK

Model:   Royal Oak Selfwinding / 37 mm

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Ref. 15550BA.OO.1356BA.01
 

MOVEMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Selfwinding Calibre 5900
Total diameter                                                   26.2 mm (11½ lignes)                                       
Total thickness                                               4 mm                                    
Number of parts                                                186                                         
Number of jewels                                               29                                                                   
Minimum power reserve guaranteed                60 h                             
Frequency of balance wheel                              4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)   
 
 Click, to see the large size. BIG FOTO

FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date.
CASE
18-carat yellow gold case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback
Diameter:  37 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm

Glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, screw-locked crown
Water-resistant to 50 m.
DIAL
Turquoise dial, yellow gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
STRAP
18-carat yellow gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.

🔴 Price : incl. VAT 55'000 CHF 💰

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Press Release - 2023
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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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