Friday, May 19, 2023

CHOPARD – ALPINE EAGLE Shikkoku Edition

 

CHOPARDALPINE EAGLE 41mm Shikkoku Lucent Steel™ Edition 2023

Tokyo 2023 – Chopard presents a 100-piece limited edition adorned with an original monochrome dial to enrich its sporty-chic Alpine Eagle collection. This timepiece features a SHIKKOKU (darkest shade of black) dial, imbued with Japanese codes of simplicity, zen aesthetics and sense of purity echoing the exquisite balanced proportions of the Alpine Eagle’s identity. 

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To celebrate the launch of this exclusive Japan-only model, Chopard welcomes a rugby player Keita Inagaki as the face of a new campaign. He is a well-known prop who figures prominently on the field. Matching the dignity, strength and elegance of the Alpine Eagle, he shares his insatiable quest with this collection: the challenge of the future like an eagle soaring up majestically into the sky of the Alps.

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Chopard has chosen the Japan National Stadium as the venue for the unveiling of this new model of the Alpine Eagle collection. Like an eagle soaring over the Alps, every athlete who plays in this stadium aims for the top of the world. The National Stadium is called “Forest Stadium”, located in the grove of the Meiji Shrine, which connects the Inner Garden of the Shrine inheriting the historical greenery, to the Imperial Palace. The Stadium is in harmony with nature as the Tree of Life. It expresses the modern interpretation of the traditional “beauty of the eaves” preserved and handed down in Japanese architecture, gently connecting the architecture and the environment. The sustainable development at the heart of the Maison’s value; and the architectural design concept “Form follows function”, which is the source of inspiration for the Alpine Eagle collection; in addition, Keita Inagaki who is the top athlete and the Ambassador of the Alpine Eagle collection –– the National Stadium is the one and only venue that embodies all these things above at once.

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Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele welcomed Keita Inagaki to the stage to celebrate the new partnership at the ANDON Hall (the main venue), tinged with the mysterious and serene Shikkoku colour. Along with the unveiling of the new Alpine Eagle Japan Limited Edition, a specially produced short film and campaign visuals are presented. At the interview with Keita Inagaki, he talked about his impressions of being appointed as an Ambassador and comments on this new model, his own styling as one of the fashion leaders in the rugby world, and his hopes and ambitions for the future. 

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Beyond the exhibition space where new and representative models are displayed, there is the Stadium’s field that can only be reached by those athletes who aim for the top and have mastered their own path. The guests had a lot of fun in the stadium where you can feel the warmth of the wood, and the event of the new Shikkoku-colour model of Alpine Eagle collection ended on a high note.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, made the following comments on the Japan-only model and the appointment of Ambassador: Japan is actually the biggest market for the Alpine Eagle watches in the world. In order to express our gratitude, we decided to announce the Japan limited edition ‘SHIKKOKU’. As the name suggests, the dial is intense black. Its hands tell the time, of course, but that’s not the main theme on this watch. It’s a very bold and powerful design, and I think you’ll feel special when you actually wear it on your wrist. I finally met Mr. Inagaki today and realized that nobody could wear this watch better than him.”

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“I am truly honoured to have such a wonderful opportunity. As an Ambassador of this collection, I will do my best to convey its charm to everyone. Black is actually my favourite colour. I was impressed by the spirit of Chopard’s artisans because they are particular about true black even more than black. The design of the strap also complements its strength. It’s a watch that I want to wear all the time,” commented 

Keita Inagaki.

The Alpine Eagle collection of sporty-chic timepieces has been enriched by a 100-piece limited edition adorned with an original monochrome dial. It is crafted in Chopard's exclusive ultra-resistant, highly luminous, responsible Lucent Steel™, composed of 80% recycled material. The new chronometer-certified Chopard 01.15-C movement featured in its 41-mm case has been specially developed by the Manufacture’s workshops as a variation of the 01.01-C calibre. 

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This timepiece features a ‘SHIKKOKU’ dial, imbued with Japanese codes of simplicity, zen aesthetics and sense of purity echoing the balanced proportions of the Alpine Eagle’s identity. This exclusive model, whose design remains firmly inspired by the beauty of Nature, is sure to become a sought-after model for collectors in Japan.

A ‘SHIKKOKU’ dial: Japanese traditional beauties

A new colour makes its debut on the dial of this watch in the Alpine Eagle collection. Like Aletsch Blue, Bernina Grey or Pitch Black, ‘SHIKKOKU’ is inspired by a palette of natural colours and evokes the wonderful lacquerware coatings which are true to Japanese culture and its ancestral crafts. Shikkoku is indeed considered to be the darkest shade of black: a symbol of nature, profound mystery and tranquillity, and thus pursuing the ideal of simplicity attached to zen aesthetics.

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On this textured dial with its radiating pattern evoking the eye of an eagle, the indication of the hours, minutes and seconds provides an elegant monochrome design through tone-on-tone black hour-markers and hands – enhanced with Cool Gray Super-LumiNova to ensure visibility even in the dark. Unlike the usual Alpine Eagle large models, this dial does not feature any date indication: an aesthetic bias to ensure perfect overall symmetry and harmony.

Chopard 01.15-C Calibre: mechanical precision

This sense of balanced proportions has been made possible through a variation of the emblematic Chopard 01.01-C self-winding movement usually featured in the Alpine Eagle 41 models. 

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The Chopard 01.15-C has been redesigned in order to remove the date mechanism, thus simplifying the dial’s look by eliminating the aperture-type date display between 4 and 5 o’clock. Visible through a transparent tinted glass caseback, the movement is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, a label of precision and excellence.

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When fully wound, the mechanism enjoys a 60-hour power reserve. Constantly seeking to meet the highest standards of precision, Chopard watchmaker artisans have also equipped this movement with a stop-second function enabling the user to set the time to the nearest second.

Lucent Steel™: a sustainable material with exclusive properties

The latest Alpine Eagle model is entirely made of Lucent Steel™. In keeping with the sustainable approach to which the Manufacture is committed, this metal exclusive to Chopard is made from 80% recycled material. Thanks to its anti-allergenic composition, it has properties comparable to surgical steel, making it highly dermocompatible. 

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This alloy is also 50% more resistant to abrasion than conventional steels and has a unique hardness. Finally, thanks to a crystal structure boasting superior homogeneity, its purity enables uniquely shimmering light effects.

The Alpine Eagle collection

Devised by three generations of men in the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection is a modern reinterpretation of the St. Moritz, the first watch creation by KarlFriedrich Scheufele (now Co-President of Chopard) in the late 1970s.

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With its pure and assertive design, Alpine Eagle further enriches this heritage with powerful natural inspiration. The collection embodies sophisticated and resolutely contemporary elegance characterised by a round case with stylised raised sides, a crown engraved with the compass rose, a bezel with eight functional indexed screws, a textured dial with deep hues and luminescent indications, as well as an integrated metal bracelet.

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Thanks to its independence and the integration of its various professions, Chopard performs all the production and assembly stages of the collection within its own watchmaking workshops, from movement to bracelet and including components as well as the case.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

 Collection : ALPINE EAGLE

Model:  ALPINE EAGLE Shikkoku Edition In Lucent Steel™ SHIKKOKU’color Dial 

/ 100-piece limited edition

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 Reference : 298600-3021  – in Lucent Steel™

Movement
Mechanical self-winding
Calibre 01.15-C
Self-winding movement
Diameter: 28.80 mm
Thickness: 4.95 mm
Number of parts: 196
Number of jewels: 31
Frequency: 28'800 vph (4 Hz)

Power reserve of 60 hours
COSC Certified Chronometer
Poinçon de Genève quality label
Functions and displays
Hours, minutes, seconds
Stop-seconds function
Case
Material: Lucent Steel™ A223, polished and brushed
Diameter: 41 mm
Thickness:  9.70 mm
Crown in Lucent Steel™ with compass rose 7 mm
Vertical satin-brushed caseband with polished chamfers
Vertical satin-brushed bezel with eight indexed screws
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Exhibition case-back – tinted glass
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Dial and hands
Brass stamped with a sunburst pattern inspired by the iris of the eagle, in a ‘SHIKKOKU’ color
Glossy black hour-markers and numerals, enhanced by Cool Gray Super-LumiNova
Glossy baton-type hours and minutes hands enhanced with Cool Gray Super-LumiNova
Glossy black arrow-type seconds hand with eagle feather counterweight
Strap and buckle
Tapering bracelet in Lucent Steel™, wide links with satin-brushed sides and polished central cap, triple folding clasp in Lucent Steel™ with safety pushers

🔰  Limited Edition: of ✅only 100 pieces / Only available in Japan

🔴 Price: EUR 23,650 / 23 000 $ / ¥ 2,156,000💰


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Press Release - 2023
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Thursday, May 18, 2023

VULCAIN – Cricket ‘Style Moderne’ For REVOLUTION & The Rake Edition


VULCAIN CRICKET Style Moderne’ For REVOLUTION & The Rake Special Edition - 2023

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A stunning two-tone Vulcain Cricket evoking the golden age of Art Deco design.
Limited to 50 numbered pieces.
 

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STYLE MODERNE
FOR REVOLUTION & THE RAKE

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Inspired by the golden age of Art Deco design, this limited edition Vulcain Cricket features a very special two-tone Bellini and anthracite colored dial, and a sector track like those made popular by brands such as Patek Philippe, Omega and Longines in the 1920s

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In that era, we had the advent of modern science, and watchmakers responded with sector or scientific dial watches that were masterpieces of Art Deco or “Style Moderne” design.

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These dials featured a circular track with radial markers emanating from it like the rays of the sun. This offered a precise reading of time. 

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For this Vulcain Cricket watch, there is the addition of white rhodium applied Arabic markers with the “3” and “9” oriented horizontally, just as in the vintage wristwatches from the ’30s. 

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Called Vulcain Cricket “Style Moderne” for Revolution & The Rake, it features a 39mm-diameter case, made in just 50 examples and priced at USD 4,060.

ALARM AWAKENED

The Vulcain Cricket dates back to 1947 when it was introduced as the world’s first mechanical alarm watch. It achieved this with the use of two barrels, the coiled springs that act as a power source for a watch. 

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How does a watch work? Basically, the barrel is like the gas tank in an Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato. Power flows along a series of gear wheels, the great wheel, the third wheel, the fourth or seconds wheel, and the escapement wheel. 

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The escapement is like a tap in the kitchen. It opens and closes, allowing a minute amount of energy to be released. This impulses a clever device invented by Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens called the oscillator that rotates in one direction then, thanks to the spring to which it is attached, rotates back — quite a lot like a child on a swing — unlocking the escapement and allowing yet another pulse of energy through. In attempts to create an alarm watch prior to the Vulcain Cricket, the power needed to drive the alarm mechanism would cause the barrel to deplete prematurely.
 
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To solve this, Robert Ditisheim, who was the third-generation owner of Vulcain, created a watch with two dedicated barrels — one to power the timekeeping function of the watch, and another to power the alarm function. 

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Even better, to rewind either barrel, you simply turned the crown either one direction or the other. That meant you could use the alarm as often as you wanted without affecting the underlying time-telling accuracy of your timepiece.

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Ditisheim called his masterpiece the Vulcain Cricket, powered by the now legendary caliber 120. The alarm worked with a hammer that struck an internal membrane incorporated into the watch’s double caseback. 

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The movement proved so accurate that even though it was designed for an alarm function in 1947, it went on to win the Neuchâtel Observatory Trials for accuracy. 

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Moreover, the Cricket was a decidedly handsome timepiece, characterized by a smooth round 36mm-diameter case, long elegant lugs typical of the ’40s and ’50s, large easy-to-manipulate crown, and a domed pusher for switching off the alarm.

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 Indeed, American presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson were all fans of the Cricket, leading to the association of the Cricket as the "President's Watch."

VULCAIN CRICKET
STYLE MODERNE’ FOR
REVOLUTION & THE RAKE

The Vulcain Cricket “Style Moderne” for Revolution & The Rake is one of the very few mechanical alarm watches, and the most accessibly priced Swiss-made alarm watch. To top that off, it is also rakishly handsome.

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In fact, The Rake’s indomitable editor-in-chief and TikTok sensation Tom Chamberlin had looked at the watch and said, “I love it because it has two identities. It can be very sporty when paired with a brown strap, and very elegant and perfect with an evening suit with a black strap.” 

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The Vulcain Cricket “Style Moderne” for Revolution & The Rake will be made in just 50 examples and is priced at an accessible USD 4,060.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Model: CRICKET Style Moderne’ For REVOLUTION & The Rake

Case
316L polished steel case
Diameter 39 mm × 12.7mm
Stainless steel pump pusher
Onion-shaped crown
Screw-down caseback with “REVOLUTION” logo and serial number
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment
Water-resistance to 5 ATM (50m)
Dial 
Two-tone semi-matte dial with black printing and polished silver indexes
Polished steel hands (Cricket Tradition)
Movement
VULCAIN MANUFACTURE Cricket V-10
Mechanical 12-lignes manually-wound alarm movement,
25 jewels, 165 parts, twin barrels,
Equipped with Exactomatic system,
48° angle of lift
Diameter 28.00 mm, thickness 5.60 mm    
 Frequency: 18,000 vib/h
 Power reserve: 42 hours
 Duration of alarm: approx. 20 seconds
 Decoration: nickel-plated treatment, blued screws, skeleton ratchet wheels
Functions:
Hour, minute, centre seconds, alarm,
decompression tables adjustable by a screw-lock crown at 4 o’clock
Alarm duration: approx. 20 seconds
Strap: Brown calf leather strap
Steel pin buckle or folding buckle as an option.
 
🔰AVAILABILITY limited to 50 pieces. 
  Availability: Special presentation BOX
🔴Retail price:  USD 4,060 💰

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Press Release - 2023
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PRESS CONTACT
VULCAIN:
Florie Maugeon
florie.maugeon@vulcain-watches.ch 
Tel / +41(0)32 930 80 14
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