Sunday, March 23, 2014

ROMAIN GAUTHIER – Logical one Secret Ruby & Diamonds


ROMAIN GAUTHIERLogical one SECRET Ruby & Diamonds NEW

LOGICAL ONE SECRET by ROMAIN GAUTHIER
The Ultimate Synthesis of Fine Art and Haute Horlogerie

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Logical one Secret features an unparalleled fusion of superlative expressions of fine art and award-winning haute horlogerie.

With its cover closed, hours, minutes and seconds are embraced in a glittering ocean of diamonds cascading right down to the lugs. An incredible 181 invisibly set baguette diamonds, totally nearly 7 carats, make for an ever-changing panorama of constantly glittering and sparkling reflections.

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A gentle squeeze on the pusher discreetly set into the caseband at 4 o'clock lifts the cover, revealing the intricate complexity of Logical one's award-winning − Best Men’s Complications Watch at the 2013 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève − multi-patented constant force movement.

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The fully integrated cover sensually follows the form of the sapphire crystal underneath to create a canvas for artists of many mediums, e.g. gem setting, guilloche, miniature painting, enameling, engraving to 'paint'.

The craftsmanship required for invisible diamond setting is even more demanding than most in that it requires not one but two skilled artists: gem setter and diamond cutter.

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To be invisibly set, each and every diamond has to be carefully grooved, with each cut running the very real risk of breaking the stone. However, while invisibly set diamonds are very difficult to accomplish, the effect is spectacular as, without visible support, the gems look larger and light can reflect and refract throughout unimpeded in an explosion of brilliance.

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And besides the sheer transcendental aesthetical magnificence of a cover and lugs blanketed in 100s of stunning diamonds, they also provide a practical advantage in creating an extremely scratch resistant case.

Logical One features the quadruple-patent-pending Romain Gauthier flat chain-and-fusee style constant force system with ruby chain links, ergonomic push button winding system, dial-side visible balance, mainspring barrel with sapphire inserts, plus a 60-hour power reserve indicator. 
 
Constant force
 
The vast majority of machines run on constant force: Cars and planes don’t start running slower as fuel runs low and machines receive how much electricity is produced.

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                                                          Both lines on the graph above represent a 60-hour power reserve
Yet the power that runs and regulates the vast majority of high precision mechanical timepieces varies greatly according to the state of wind of the mainspring.


Constant force is one of the holy grails of horology and with Logical One, Romain Gauthier has reinvented the chain-and-fusee − one of the oldest and most traditional methods of supplying constant force to a watch/clock movement − making it both more reliable, more effective . . . and more constant.

‘Coming from an engineering background, it appeared strange to have a high precision machine forced to run at varying power levels. So I started with the premise that it would be better to have constant energy.’  Romain Gauthier

Traditional chain and fusee
 
A fusee (‘fusée’ is French for cone) is a cone-shaped pulley wound with a cord or chain that is attached to the mainspring barrel.

Fusees have been used since 15th century to improve timekeeping by compensating for the diminishing torque/power of the mainspring as it ran down. 
  Fusee (the cone-shaped pulley on right) with chain

The first fusees used fine cord; however, as technology enabled the manufacture of ever-smaller chains, these replaced cords because chains transmit power more efficiently. But the traditional chain and fusee has two inherent problems:

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     1. The multiple layers of chain (often eight turns) on the fusee mean that the individual links have to be small, which means that they are relatively weak.

     2. The chain is often transmitting force between the fusee and mainspring barrel at an angle, which is both inefficient and adds stress.
 
Replacing the fusee with a snail cam
 
Romain Gauthier solved both problems by replacing the fusee with a slowly rotating snail cam, which is situated at 10 o’clock to the left of the hour/minutes dial.

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As the snail cam and mainspring barrel are on the same level, the force is always transmitted in a straight line and, as only one short line of chain is needed, the links can be bigger and stronger.

Ruby chain (patent pending)

To further improve efficiency, Romain Gauthier has taken full advantage of the larger chain links by making the links in low-friction hard-wearing synthetic rubies.

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And there is yet another innovation in the construction of the chain itself.

Romain Gauthier has replaced the traditional method of joining chain links, by placing a fine sheet of paper between the links and connecting plates, riveting them together and burning the paper away to create a fine (though imprecise) tolerance, with a snap clip system that offers high-precision, simplicity, reliability and consistency.

Winding with ergonomic pusher

Winding Logical One is a pleasure thanks to Romain Gauthier’s innovative push button winding system, with the pusher set neatly into the left caseband.

While the push-to-wind system is a pleasure to use, its advantages are not only ergonomic and aesthetic, but based on sound engineering principles.


A traditional crown is relative small with a fine (relatively fragile) stem that has to transmit the force 90° between the crown to the mainspring barrel. The pusher to wind Logical One transmits force to the barrel on the same plane.

Mainspring barrel with sapphire lining

As the mainspring unwinds in a traditional brass barrel, the metal of the spring scratches the metal, even when freshly greased. Over time, grease clots, scratches get rougher, the barrel sticks to the spring and does not rotate smoothly.

Sapphire plates

To eliminate this potential source of uneven friction, Romain Gauthier has placed mainspring of Logical One between synthetic sapphire plates.  Sapphire has the ideal properties of having a low coefficient of friction with steel − why watch movements have ruby bearings – and is highly scratch resistant – why it is used for watch crystals.

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Sapphire plates

To eliminate this potential source of uneven friction, Romain Gauthier has placed mainspring of Logical One between synthetic sapphire plates.  Sapphire has the ideal properties of having a low coefficient of friction with steel − why watch movements have ruby bearings – and is highly scratch resistant – why it is used for watch crystals.

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A world of details
  • Bespoke gear wheels with graceful circular arms for maximum rigidity
  • Special power-process hand frosted bridges
  • High efficiency gear teeth profile (patent pending)
  • Polished screw heads with distinctive S-slot for more length/less slip
  • Balance wheel with curved arms and calibrated eccentric weights
  • Triangular pallet lever (Romain Gauthier invention) for improved rigidity.

Movement & finishing
The movement for Logical One was entirely conceived, developed, designed, produced, decorated, assembled and regulated by Manufacture Romain Gauthier.



Highly polished sharp internal bevelled angles in the movement plates and bridges are the hallmark of superlative hand finishing because, to date, machines are not capable of milling and polishing sharp internal bevels.  With Logical One, Romain Gauthier has gone a step further still in creating double-angle bevels with sharp internal angles, which give the effect of border. 

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This distinctive eye-catching hand finish, created by using a two parallel bevels, has a similar effect to that of a frame around a beautiful painting, in that the frame highlights the artwork within.

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Romain Gauthier profile

Romain Gauthier was born in 1975 in Le Sentier, in the picturesque Vallée de Joux, at the heart of fine Swiss watchmaking. It was there that he developed a passion for traditional haute horlogerie blended with clean, contemporary design and innovative micro-engineering.  After studying precision-mechanics, Romain gained a diploma as a constructor of precision machinery. In 1997, he started his first job as machine programmer/operator and over the following years, Romain managed and grew the department into one of the best - equipped and most efficient production facilities in Europe.

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Determined to create his own watch brand, Romain completed an MBA in 2002. His final thesis – passed with distinction – was the business plan for Montres Romain Gauthier. He then began work on the timepieces themselves. "I knew that a good movement was the basis of everything I planned to build, so I started with that."


In 2005, after three years of working in secret, Romain launched his brand in Baselworld 2007 with the Prestige HM, featuring his own in-house manufacture movement.

The Prestige HMS followed in 2010, Logical one in 2013 and Logical one Secret in 2014.

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Technical Specifications

Special features
Gem setting:  181 invisibly set baguette diamonds, 6.9 carats total
Hours, minutes, small seconds, 60-hours power reserve,
Push-button winding and innovative chain-and-fusee style constant force system.
Limited Edition.

Case and strap
Diamonds: red gold cover invisibly set with 149 baguette diamonds IF to VVS/G+, 6.0 carats;
lugs invisibly set with 32 baguette diamonds quality IF to VVS/G+, 0.9 carats
Case materials: red gold
Movement plates and bridges: titanium, stainless steel, brass
Dimensions: 43mm x 15.9mm
Water resistance: 30m /3atm / 90ft
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coat front and display back
Winding by push button at 9 o’clock
Time-setting crown with sapphire cabochon at 2 o’clock
Cover open by push button at 4 o'clock
Strap and buckle: alligator leather hand-stitched in Switzerland with red gold pin buckle

Movement
In-house manufacture movement calibre
Dimensions: 35.5mm x 10.5mm
Power reserve:  circa 60-hours
Number of jewels: 36 in movement, 34 for chain
Number of components: 394
Balance frequency: 28,800 bph / 4Hz
Highest level haute horlogerie finishing,
including hand polished screws and jewel countersinks; hand bevelled and polished bridges and plates.
Four patents pending

* Specifications may change according to the artwork and case materials  

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www.facebook.com - Montres Romain Gauthier
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www.Montres-RG.com

Friday, March 21, 2014

LOCMAN – MONTECRISTO Cronograph Automatic
















LOCMANMONTECRISTO Cronograph Automatic


  BASELWORLD - 2014
   LOCMAN PRESENTS
MONTECRISTO SELF-WINDING CHRONOGRAPH, THE FIRST CHRONOGRAPH DRIVEN BY A MECHANICAL MOVEMENT DEVELOPED BY THE SIO – ITALIAN SCHOOL OF WATCHMAKING

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For the creation of the first mechanical self-winding chronograph, the SIO – Italian School of Watchmaking, part of the LOCMAN group, was partnered by DePa Swiss Movements, an enterprise of Swiss artisans specialised in movement concept and development.

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The SIO – Italian School of Watchmaking was founded by Locman in 2006 with the intention of establishing a research centre and constant monitoring the quality of their watches. Over the years, SIO has certified and also developed the mechanisms of its major collections, partnering with companies for special projects.

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Marco Mantovani, LOCMAN Spa chairman, says: “We were able to develop a completely reliable, sturdy self-winding module. Our engineers also focused on the rotor weights so as to optimise the bidirectional winding stored by the self-winding mechanism for an average of up to about 50 hours.”





























The oscillating weight is enhanced with a bright yellow shade and personalised with the LOCMAN ITALY logo. The calibre reference – SIO/DPch 88 – is indicated on the movement mainplate.

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After upgrading the Montecristo’s movement, the SIO engineers went one step further and also revisited the design, giving it some extra competitive edge. The dial features sunray-pattern enamelling, the minute counter is placed at 3 o’clock and the small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, while the tachometric scale – absent in the quartz version – appears around the inner bezel ring of this model.

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The AISI 316L steel and titanium case is made of exclusively non-allergenic materials usually found in surgical instruments, and is topped by a flat glass with a special sapphire treatment to give the material a hardness comparable to that of natural sapphire as well as an exponential increase in its transparency. Tested waterresistant to 10 atmospheres, the Montecristo Crono case is attached to the silicon or hi-tech Lorica strap by the distinctive triple-bar lugs.

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History

LOCMAN was founded in 1986 by Marco Mantovani. In 1997, LOCMAN decided to give up producing watches for other brands and to launch its first own-name line of original models.
LOCMAN aims to occupy a niche market with products featuring innovative designs, but distinguished by high-quality craftsmanship and refinement, in order to meet the demands of a category of consumers looking for original, exclusive and trendy products.
Thanks to the Linea Sport in 1999 and to the DIAMOND-Alluminio models in 2000, which featured a tonneau-shaped aluminium case with a non-allergenic strap in Lorica, timepieces by Locman Italy have become cult models featuring a striking blend of ambition and casual confidence that have earned them favour among the greatest international celebrities.
Today, the LOCMAN group is one of the major players in the Italian watch industry. The mother company is LOCMAN Spa, which has headquarters in Tuscany, on the island of Elba, and a network of offices spread between Florence, Milan and New York.
The heart of LOCMAN watches beats in Elba, where ideas are born and technical and commercial strategies are developed. The other production phases take place in Milan, within the Genesi industrial facility, considered to be the most efficient and modern laboratory in the Italian watch business. Meanwhile, the communication strategy and relations with the mass media are handled by Marchio Giallo, the Locman Group’s in-house advertising agency.

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Contact Methods
    info@locman.it
    Tel: +39 0565.979003
    Fax: +39 0565.979707
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www.facebook.com - Locman italy
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www.Locman.it

Thursday, March 20, 2014

ARNOLD & SON – Instrument CTB Chronograph

















ARNOLD & SON Instrument CTB Chronograph NEW


BASELWORLD Novelty 2014

Arnold & Son Unveils the World’s First True Beat Seconds and Chronograph Wristwatch: the Instrument CTB

With rich British heritage and unparalleled style, Arnold & Son never ceases to amaze and delight watch lovers with its deft blend of respected watchmaking tradition, visionary ingenuity and untiring commitment to excellence. A grand example of the brand’s unflagging Haute Horlogerie prowess can be found in the all new CTB – a world premiere.

 The CTB joins Arnold & Son’s Instrument Collection – and, like every other model from Arnold & Son, features an in-house mechanical movement. This line is inspired by the timepieces produced during the second part of John Arnold’s life when he and his son, John Roger, dedicated themselves to the quest for absolute precision (thereby establishing themselves as official suppliers to the Royal Navy).

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Underscoring its continued commitment to forward-thinking precision, Arnold & Son’s watchmaking experts masterfully rose to challenge of creating a World’s First in a wristwatch: a chronograph with a central true beat seconds hand. The magnificent CTB represents the brand’s second chronograph and blends the iconic Instrument Collection complication of a true beat seconds, while at the same time remaining true to the line’s optic code of superb legibility. This aesthetic direction has been achieved by incorporating a central true beat seconds hand and a central chronograph seconds hand – both on the same axis but with different jumping intervals. A huge technical challenge to have both functions operating from the centre, Arnold & Son’s unique invention is protected by two patents.

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Sometimes referred to as a dead beat seconds, the true beat seconds is a precision function wherein the seconds beat incrementally as opposed to sweeping along the dial – allowing for more accurate reading. To accomplish this function in and of itself is no easy feat. However, Arnold & Son has taken the idea to new heights by incorporating the true beat seconds on the same axis as the chronograph seconds hand. The result, when the continually running chronograph hand is started, is visually amazing. It gives the impression that it can catch up to the true beat seconds hand, but this never happens since the true beat seconds hand jumps away each second in a delightful and entrancing game of cat and mouse.

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The A&S7103 calibre is a proprietary mechanical self-winding movement with column-wheel operated chronograph. The movement is configured to give optimum balance and beauty to the dial, with off-centered hour and minutes at 12 o’clock, big central true beat seconds and central chronographs seconds, and 60-minutes chronograph indicator at 6 o’clock. The 31-jewel movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers more than 50 hours of power reserve. This world’s-first timepiece also offers the efficiency of bi-directional winding thanks to ceramic ball bearings.

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Each movement is NAC grey treated and meticulously completed in Haute Horlogerie finishing with hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève rayonnantes, brushed and skeletonised rotor, and screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads. The 44 mm stainless steel timepiece is offered with a light-grey and silvery opaline dial. The dial has a complex multi-level structure with at least three different finishes that offer breathtaking depth and dimension.

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Technical Characteristics

Ref. 1CHAS.S02A.C121S Stainless steel Case

Calibre:                                  
A&S7103
Exclusive Arnold & Son mechanical movement, self-winding,
column-wheel, ceramic ball bearing, 31 jewels,
diameter 30.4 mm, thickness 8.5 mm,
power reserve 50 h (without chronograph), 28,800 vibrations/h
Functions:
hours, minutes, true beat seconds, chronograph
Movement decoration:
NAC grey treated with Haute Horlogerie finishing: hand-chamfered
bridges and polished edges, fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève
rayonnantes, circular satin-finished wheels, screws with bevelled
and mirror-polished heads. Oscillating weight: skeletonised with
brushed surfaces
Dial:  
light-grey and silvery opaline
Case:   
Stainless steel, diameter 44 mm,
cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides,
see-through sapphire case back
 Strap:
Hand-stitched black or brown alligator leather
Water resistance:
30 Meters

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Marketing & Sales
Boulevard des Eplatures 38
CH – 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
info@arnoldandson.com
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 www.ArnoldandSon.com - Media
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 www.Arnold&Son.com

BREVA – Génie 02 AIR Limited Edition

















BREVA Génie 02 AIR Limited Edition NEW


Spread your Wings and Soar!

The Breva Génie 02 Air combines the stunning sophistication of a beautifully crafted mechanical timepiece with the practicality of a fully functional, high-performance altimeter. Whether your passion is paragliding, flying, skydiving, hang gliding, mountain climbing, skiing, or simply enjoying the fresh air and stunning views that high altitudes offer, the Génie 02 Air is the perfect companion.

The black titanium case of the Génie 02 Air offers a subtle but stunning backdrop to the high-legibility hands and markers, ensuring that essential information, i.e. time and altitude, is easily visible at a glance.

The superbly finished proprietary movement, much of which can be fully appreciated through the open dial and display back, was developed exclusively for Breva by award-winning movement constructor Jean-François Mojon (Chronode). The Génie 02 Air is 100% Swiss-made, from inception to realization.

The dial side of the timepiece is dominated by a sub-dial at 8 o'clock displaying hours and minutes, and the precision altimeter sub-dial at 2 o'clock displaying meters (or feet). Arcing around the top of the dial is the large-scale altitude indicator, which displays up to 5,000 meters (or 16,400 feet), with small seconds below. At 4 o'clock, an indicator is revealed when the air valve is open or closed (it must be open to indicate the altitude). Below is the 65-hour power reserve indicator.

In pride of place at the bottom of the dial is one of two aneroid capsules measuring air pressure (from which the altitude is derived), with a high-precision arm multiplying by 200 the expansion and contraction of the capsules and relaying the air pressure to the two altitude indications.

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Three chevron-engraved crowns wind, set, adjust, and operate the functions of the Génie 02:
  • 9 o'clock: a two-position crown both winds the movement and sets the time.
  • 2 o'clock: a screw down crown rotates both the altitude's precision-scale and large-scale to adjust for variations in air pressure, which affects altitude readings.
  • 4 o'clock: a screw down crown either seals air out of the movement or allows it in (for altitude function). Longevity and reliability of the timepiece are maximized by means of an osmotic Teflon membrane that filters any moisture and humidity from air before it enters the movement. Just above the crown, a red band on the dial marked “SEALED” warns when the valve is unlocked.
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Turning the Génie 02 Air over allows the complexity of beautifully finished 415-component movement to be more fully appreciated. The movement is framed by the code names of many of the world's airports, engraved around the perimeter of the caseback along with their altitudes above sea level: GVA430M, HND6M; SYD9M; JFK/LHR24M; SIN7M; DXB19M; HKG9M; LAX38M; GYD3M; CDG119M; BCT4M; CVF2008M; OLB37M; IBZ6M; MIA2M; KUL22M; LTT18M; CGK10M; BGI52M. How many of these airports do you recognize?
Winding the movement makes the rotation of the mainspring barrel cap visible.
The Génie 02 Air is a limited edition of 55 pieces in titanium G5 and is available with calibrations in either meters or feet.

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Génie 02 Air Details

High performance mechanical altimeter: paradoxically, an altimeter doesn't really measure altitude at all: it measures air pressure. In 1928, German inventor Paul Kollsman revolutionized the aviation world when he invented the world's first accurate barometric altimeter.

An air pressure altimeter is in fact a barometer developed specifically to display altitude rather than barometric pressure. Pressure in the earth's atmosphere is a result of the weight of the air pulled down by gravity. The higher the altitude, the less atmosphere above, so less pressure is exerted.

Aneroid capsules: the aneroid capsules in the Génie 02 were especially developed to Breva's specifications to optimize their precision and use in a wristwatch. The capsules are made from a special non-magnetic memory metal (a Breva-patented invention), which is lighter and stronger than aluminum and has twice the ductility of steel. The capsules are exposed for long durations to high temperature and pure oxygen to maximize thermal conductivity and oxidation resistance.

The Génie 02’s aneroid capsules were developed specifically for registering air pressure for altitude readings rather than barometric pressure, and are different from those used on the Génie 01.
A lever, clearly visible on top of the aneroid capsules, transmits the combined height of the capsules through a complex system of gears and racks to the two precision, large-scale altimeter indications. The gearing for these two displays has been carefully calculated to optimize both precision and legibility.

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Adjusting for changes in air pressure: atmospheric pressure can change with weather, and this can affect altitude readings. When bad weather approaches, air pressure can fall, causing the altimeter in the timepiece to confuse this decrease in pressure with an increase in altitude.

In order to compensate for weather- or temperature-induced barometric pressure variations, the altimeter should be calibrated by using a known altitude or a known pressure value. A known altitude can typically be taken from a specific landmark on a topographic map. If a known altitude is not available, a known pressure value will suffice. Barometric pressure is measured several times per day and can usually be obtained from aviation weather reports.
Altitude has historically been measured using a calibrated barometer, which is essentially what a pressure altimeter is. A barometric altimeter measures air pressure, which decreases with increasing altitude due to less atmospheric pressure.

Flight Levels

A pilot must recalibrate the altimeter according to local air pressure at sea level, in order to take into account natural variations of pressure over time due to weather and temperature. If altimeters are not calibrated before flight, two aircraft could be flying at the same altitude even though their altimeters indicate that they are at different altitudes.

To ensure aeronautic safety, planes and air traffic controllers use flight levels, which is a nominal pressure altitude in feet divided by 100 and always divisible by 500 (so always ending in 0 or 5), rather than actual height above sea level. For example, 33,000 feet is referred to as "flight level 330”.

Actual altitudes above ground are not as important for flight safety as the difference in altitudes between planes. This difference can be determined from the air pressure at each craft, and does not require knowledge of the local air pressure on the ground.

Flight levels solve this problem by defining altitudes based on a standardized air pressure at sea level. All aircraft operating on flight levels calibrate to this setting regardless of the actual sea level pressure.
A second advantage of flying at a consistent flight level, rather than true altitude, is that an aircraft's aerodynamic and engine performance depend on air pressure rather than its true altitude above ground or sea level. It is much easier to trim a plane to operate efficiently at a specific air pressure rather than altitude.

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Profile of Breva founder, Vincent Dupontreué

Breva founder Vincent Dupontreué was born just outside Paris in 1977. He had a precocious entrepreneurial spirit that had him making and selling bracelets on the beach in Corsica during holidays when just 11 years old and building and selling skateboard ramps with his brother at 13. A job working in a bespoke men’s clothing store at 18 led, a few years later, to the position of sales manager at Ermenegildo Zegna. Vincent Dupontreué quickly decided he wanted to run his own boutique and when that wasn’t a possibility – he was still only 22 years old – he set up his own fashion brand, called ‘Vincent Dupontreué’.


After seven successful years Vincent Dupontreué sold his fashion brand, did an MBA in Lausanne, Switzerland, and ran an art gallery for a couple of years.

On his 33rd birthday in 2010, the desire for a nice watch ignited his entrepreneurial spirit once again and he decided to launch his own high-end Swiss brand. A beautiful weekend on Lake Como in Northern Italy provided both the inspiration for the name, Breva –  ‘La Breva’ is a warm southern wind contributing to the agreeably mild micro-climate around Lake Como – and the idea of creating a mechanical timepiece that forecast the weather.

In 2013, after three years of research and development, Vincent Dupontreué launched Breva with the Génie 01, the world’s first mechanical wristwatch displaying time, altitude, weather forecasting barometric pressure and power reserve. This was followed in 2014 by the Génie 02, which features a fully functional precision mechanical altimeter, as well as time and power reserve indications.

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Technical Specifications

Breva Génie 02 Air Limited Edition of 55 pieces

  Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds
Large-scale altitude indicator
Precision-scale altitude indicator
Power reserve indicator
Air pressure valve
Equalizer seal indicator
Altitude scale adjuster
  Movement
Proprietary movement developed exclusively for Breva by Jean-François Mojon/Chronode
Diameter: 38.10mm
Number of components: 415
Number of jewels: 45
Balance frequency: 4 Hz
Dual aneroid capsules specifically developed to derive altitude from air pressure
Power reserve: 65 hours
  Case, Dials and Strap
Case material: black titanium G5
Dimensions:  44.70 mm x 16.10 mm
Number of components: 88
Crowns: winding setting crown at 9 o'clock, altitude corrector at 2 o'clock, air valve at 4 o'clock
Crystals: sapphire crystal and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides
Dials: black grained indexes and numbers in three-dimensional Super-LumiNova
Altitude scales: available in metric (meters) or imperial (feet) measurements
Water resistance: 30 m
Air valve with Teflon moisture-resisting osmosis membrane
Strap and buckle: natural rubber strap with titanium tang buckle
Calibrations: altitude calibrations available in either meters or feet

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www.facebook.com - Breva Watch
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www.Breva-watch.com

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

SPEAKE-MARIN – MAGISTER Tourbillon

















SPEAKE-MARINJ Class MAGISTER Tourbillon NEW

Magister Tourbillon features a hand-finished 60-second tourbillon in a white-lacquered dial. The platinum micro-rotor powering the automatic-winding movement can be appreciated through the display back of the grade 5 titanium case.

Magister Tourbillon brings together everything that is quintessentially Speak-Marin: an eye-catching tourbillon, sculpted heat-blued hands, iconic Piccadilly case, fluted crown and finely finished movement, here featuring a platinum micro-rotor. Magister Tourbillon radiates a sophisticated aura, exuding the class and refinement for which Speake-Marin has become a byword.

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The beautiful hand-finished tourbillon rotating at 6 o’clock is framed superbly by its stainless steel guard. The eye-catching, highly polished tourbillon bridge is made from Durnico maraging steel, chosen for its superior strength.

The tourbillon has played an important role in the story of Speake-Marin. The first timepiece ever to bear the Speake-Marin name was the Foundation Watch, a hand-made pocket watch which Peter Speake-Marin equipped with a tourbillon escapement. The watchmaker’s topping tool wheel motif in the Speake-Marin logo, which first appeared in the tourbillon cage of the Foundation Watch, can also be seen in the tourbillon cage of the Magister Tourbillon.

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Peter Speake-Marin recognises the tourbillon’s capacity to improve timekeeping accuracy by averaging out positional errors due to gravity. However, it is the visual aspect of this mesmerising escapement that draws him to it.

“The tourbillon is one of the things that I love most about watchmaking,” he says. “Not because of the precision it gives to the timekeeping, but because of the animation it gives to the dial. It shows time moving in a way that a minute-repeater or a grande sonnerie, for example, won’t offer. It’s something which, for me, is extremely profound.”


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Of the topping tool wheel design for the tourbillon cage, Peter adds: “I have always been attracted to the topping tool because of its form. You use a tool to make a component, you make a timepiece, and the timepiece is a dream turned into reality. The topping tool motif is very much at the root of everything I do: It is the tool which gives me the means to realise my dream.”

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Magister Tourbillon’s visually-arresting blued steel hands are also designed in the same style as the hands of the Foundation Watch, the Rosetta Stone of Speake-Marin. The polished, sculpted hands – including a heart-shaped hour hand – are set off superbly by the elegant white lacquer, multi-level dial. The sides of the highly legible Roman numerals taper towards the centre and follow the line of the hands. This subtle but significant detail endows the dial with a dynamic, contemporary feel.

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The tourbillon – its one-minute rotation providing an intuitive indication of the passing seconds – contrasts beautifully against the pristine white dial. The “3Hz” frequency of the SM3 movement and the “platinum mass” of the winding rotor are referenced in the centre of the dial.

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The comfortable titanium Piccadilly case features Speake-Marin's signature fluted crown. The polished bezel frames the dial, just as the polished guard in the dial around the escapement frames the tourbillon.

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Turning the Magister Tourbillon over, the movement featuring hand-finishing can be fully appreciated through the display back. On top of the offset mainspring barrel is the noble platinum micro-rotor, its strong and sober aesthetic counterbalanced by the intricate complexity of the tourbillon.

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The lower tourbillon cage is supported by a striking paddle-shaped bridge offering clear visual access to the surrounding gears below. The rhodium-finished German silver bridges and movement plates are circular-grained with polished screw heads and countersinks. Technical details are engraved and gilded on the bridges either side of the platinum rotor.

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The Speake-Marin Magister Tourbillon is available with a polished Grade 5 titanium case.


The “J Class” collection
Magister Tourbillon launches the Speake-Marin "J Class" collection. After the exhilaration of a white-knuckle ride on a finely-tuned racing yacht – heeling on a broad reach with its rail near the ocean and spray cutting the air – comes the yacht club, replete with rich wood-panelled walls and vintage navigation instruments. And it is in the rarefied ambience of the club that the high-class pedigree of the Speake-MarinJ Class” timepieces – including Magister Tourbillon – comes into its own.


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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Speake-Marin J Class Magister Tourbillon Grade 5 Titanium Case

REFERENCE:  PIC.10030
Features and indications
• Central hours and minutes
• Hand-finished 60-second tourbillon   
• White-lacquered, multi-level dial
• Automatic-winding movement with 950 platinum micro-rotor
• Power reserve 72+ hours
• 42mm Piccadilly case in polished Grade 5 titanium
• Display back

Dial and hands
• White-lacquered, multi-level dial featuring tapered Roman numerals
• Central Speake-Marin signature Foundation hour and minute hands in heat-blued steel

Movement and finishing
Calibre SM3
• Rhodium-finished German silver bridges
• Glucydur balance
• Automatic-winding movement
• 950 Platinum micro-rotor
• Diameter of rotor: 16.40mm
• Single barrel
• Frequency: 21,600vph / 3Hz
• Power reserve: over 72 hours
• Dimensions: 30.40mm x 5.40mm
• Jewels: 25
• 4N gold-plated bridge engravings:
Twenty Five (25)
Jewels; 60 Second Tourbillon;
Platinum Rotor Mass;
Swiss Made; Speake-Marin Switzerland;
Frequency 3Hz;
72 hour power reserve;
Project launched 2013

Case and strap
• 42mm Piccadilly case in polished, grade 5 titanium
• Case comprising 27 components
• Dimensions:  11.30mm x 5.40mm
• Front and display-back sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coating
• Case-back circumference engraving: “Speake-Marin – The Piccadilly”   
• Water resistance: 3atm/30m/100ft
• Hand-made, natural alligator strap
• Pin buckle in titanium

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