Monday, March 31, 2014

SEIKO – Prospex Kinetic GMT Diver & Solar Chronograph


















Serious watches for serious sports
B a s e l w o r l d - 2 0 1 4
March 27
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For true watchmakers, adventure sports, whether on the sea, on land or in the sky, present
the greatest challenges of all. Since Seiko made its first diving watch in 1965, Seiko has been
exceeding the expectations of those whose sports require watches with truly professional
specifications. Now, Seiko Prospex brings together all Seiko’s sports watch expertise in one
collection.

















From 1,278 timing devices in 1964 to pioneering in sports watch technology
In 1964, Seiko announced itself on the world stage of sports timing technology with a whole
new generation of timing and scoring devices that set a new standard. The multi-sport suite of
timing, scoring and display systems comprised no fewer than 1,278 devices in all. Ever since, the
challenge of sports has inspired Seiko to create new technologies, new materials, new functions
and new display systems to serve the needs of true sports enthusiasts worldwide.
In particular, Seiko pioneered several features in diver’s watches that are now widely accepted
as setting the global standard, including the ‘accordion’ or corrugated style strap, the wide arrowshaped
hands for extra legibility, and the two-piece case construction for added security. Similarly,
in aviation watches, Seiko invented the trigonometric slide rule that allows pilots to make complex
calculations in flight.
With its new Diver’s and Aviation watches, Prospex is the latest expression of this long tradition.

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The Prospex Diver’s watch
The new Prospex Kinetic GMT Diver’s uses the same double case system as the legendary 1975
model, but it does so in a modernized and stylish way. As the name Prospex implies, it has a
professional specification, with 200m water resistance, but it also has a design flair that makes it
unique, as is clear from the window in the side of the outer case through which you can see the
inner case.

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The dial is designed uniquely with legibility in mind. The professional level of the specifications
becomes clear when you study the details, the 3 dimensional hour markers, the anti-reflective
coating on the sapphire crystal and the precise and secure operation of the uni-directional bezel.
The caliber is Kinetic, the perfect technology for diving as it combines 1 second a day precision
with the certainty of Seiko’s unique no-battery-change Kinetic technology.

It is available with a steel bracelet or with a silicon strap, designed for strength, flexibility and
longevity. The Kinetic GMT Diver’s is true to the Seiko tradition, but is updated with the very latest
in design and technology.


The Prospex Aviation Solar Chronograph
The Prospex Aviation Solar Chronograph is a modern reinterpretationof a Seiko classic. In 1972, the Seiko Flight Computer set a new standard in aviation watches and began a tradition in this area that is today renewed with a solar aviation chronograph of high specifications.

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The slide rule allows calculations of distance, fuel and oil consumption and speed, while the chronograph measures elapsed time for up to 60 minutes. Powered by light alone, this remarkable watch delivers what pilots need most, complete reliability throughout their flight.

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Perfect timing and reliability on the sea, on land and in the sky
Adventure sports know no boundaries. Whether for use on the sea, on land or in the sky, the
adventure sports enthusiast will find the Prospex watch that meets the challenge and delivers
precision and reliability in even the most adverse conditions. Prospex is built to perform and built
to last. The collection is broad in the range of sports watches it includes, incorporating all Seiko’s
technologies, Kinetic, solar, quartz and mechanical, and in its price range, with models starting at
300 Euro and going up to 3,000 Euro for the 1000 meter saturation diving watch. Seiko Prospex is
Seiko’s first new mainstream Elite collection for seven years and takes its place alongside Sportura
and Velatura as an important new reference point in the world of sports watches.

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 SEIKO – Prospex Kinetic GMT Diver’s
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Technical details
Specifications: SUN019 Kinetic GMT Diver’s
・Caliber 5M85 Kinetic GMT
Powered by the movement of your body
Power reserve: Approximately 6 months
Power reserve indication at the press of a button
GMT hand with easy hour hand adjustment function
Instant-start function
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month (at temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
・Case
Diameter: 47.5mm
Stainless steel case
Water resistance : 200m Diver
・Band
Stainless steel with three-fold clasp with secure lock, push button release with extender
・Glass
Sapphire crystal
Remarks
・Recommended retail price in Europe: Euro 660
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SEIKO – Prospex Aviation Solar Chronograph
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Technical details
Specifications: SSC261 Aviation Solar Chronograph
・Caliber V175
Stopwatch up to 60 minutes in 1/5 second increments
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month (at temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Duration of operation after fully charged: Approximately 6 months
・Case
Diameter: 46.1mm
Stainless steel case, Screw case back
Water resistance 10 Bar
・Band
Stainless steel with three-fold clasp with push button release
・Glass
Sapphire crystal
Remarks:
・Recommended retail price in Europe: Euro 610

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CHRISTOPHE CLARET – Maestoso















CHRISTOPHE CLARETTraditional Complications Maestoso Limited Edition NEW

Maestoso
Traditional pivoted detent escapement with constant force
Art in the service of time

It possesses the majesty of masterpieces over which time holds no sway. It is the new creation by Christophe Claret; A vibrant tribute to watchmaking heritage, an ode to research and innovation. This timepiece boasts no fewer than three patents, the fruits of development conducted entirely in-house by Manufacture Claret, offering a new lease of life to the traditional pivoted detent escapement.


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Maestoso. Its name speaks for itself. Majestic and imposing, through its personality as well as its technicality. Derived from a team spirit that revels in taking on the finest challenges, no matter how much time it takes. Maestoso has written a new chapter in the history of Haute Horlogerie. And the challenge? To equip a wristwatch with a traditional detent escapement, a mechanism usually designed to run in a perfectly stabilized position.

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It is worth reiterating that the whole watch – case, hands and all the parts of the movement, down to the balance spring – was designed, manufactured and assembled in Manufacture Claret's workshops. Maestoso is one of the few watchmaking creations today to be equipped with a cylindrical balancespring; extremely difficult to make, but the beauty in Christophe Claret’s eyes is worthy of the challenge that it entailed. True to the fine craftsmanship that the brand has always advocated, the timepiece is hand-finished in the purest Haute Horlogerie tradition. Perfection can be read in the detailsand in the technical and aesthetic challenges constantly taken on by the watchmakers in the Manufacture’s Soleil d’Or ateliers.

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This type of detent escapementfirst appeared in the 18th century, at a time when watchmakers were competing to create a time-measuring instrument of maximum precision, to be used to determine a ship’s exact geographical position at sea. Regarded as the quintessence of chronometric precision, even ahead of the tourbillon, this historic escapement is traditionally equipped with a laminated gold blade spring. Christophe Claret has made sure to adhere to these specifications to the finest detail. At the time, it was found primarily in marine chronometers, mounted on gimbals to ensure an invariable position. Though it demonstrated exemplary reliability, it actually had the weakness of being particularly sensitive to lateral impacts.

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There is a considerable challenge: the slightest shock to a detent escapement can cause it to stop or even release the escape wheel and break. Another danger is overbanking, in which an external shock, or even setting the time, can cause the balance wheel to oscillate with excess amplitude, i.e. more than 360°, causing a second impulse. This can speed up the escapement wheel and disrupt timing. Enabling the mechanism to operate in all the positions that wearing a wristwatch entails – without resorting to the convenience of a modern, shorter detent – is a genuine gamble, pulled off via the three patents and a series of additional innovative systems.

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To prevent the detent from turning over, an anti-pivot cam, integral to the spring balance, works in conjunction with the safety finger. The ensemble is fitted between a mainplate and two sapphire bridges, and pivots on a ball bearing – a patented mechanism – that distributes the load on the escapement. So it de facto absorbs the impacts by means of a spring that provides the requisite flexibility. The upper bridge, crafted from sapphire crystal, allows the intrinsic beauty of the mechanism to be fully appreciated.

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To cope with the risks of over-banking, a flexible thrust bearing fitted on the wheel and connected to the balance absorbs any excess energy.Christophe Claret has also endowed the watch with a constant force, guaranteeing stable energy and amplitude throughout the power reserve. Thus the constant force spring, wound up by the barrel, always releases the same energy at regular intervals, making the torque to the escapement more constant. Finally, a stop seconds, another patented device, also plays an essential role by stopping the balance when setting the time.,

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Besides these ingenious additional systems, a micrometric worm screw on the regulator, also patented, is used to regulate the timing rate. Visible at 8 o'clock, the mechanism combines performance with design. Last and not least, Maestoso is equipped with two mainspring barrels, each with two superimposed springs transmitting force to the regulatorand providing an optimal power reserve of more than 80 hours.

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And you cannot help but notice that, in addition to its precision, the mechanism blossoms, occupying all the spaceoffered inside the 44mm diameter case. In perfect harmony, Maestoso makes depth of field its best asset.Opening up the perspective, the graduated flange bears applique indexes, with the logo of the brand subtly appearing as the 12 o'clock mark. The transparency of the bridges turns the spotlight on the detent escapement and constant force mechanism.

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 The pillars sculpted in the form of ruffs, inspired by watches from the time of Louis XIV, open up a lateral view of the mechanism. The bridges are inspired by Charles X. The aesthetic coherence with Christophe Claret’s Soprano is striking. All the functional elements of the decoration, such as the gold chatons cradling the jewels, play in concert for a captivating show, masterfully orchestrated by the DTC07 caliber. The hour and minute hands, emblematic of the brand, are enhanced by a luminescent coating and fly majestically over the movement. Made from titanium and rubies, the hands echo the set jewels.

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The horological mastery of the watchmakers in the Manufacture’s Soleil d’Or ateliers brilliantly combines the traditionalknowledge and skill of Christophe Claret in the constant quest for innovation. Available in 5N red gold, anthracite PVD titanium with white gold, or anthracite PVD titanium with red gold, the watch intimately connects the past to the present through art. An art dedicated entirely to time, which speaks for itself: Art for art's sake.

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Technical Specifications

Movement
Caliber : DTC07, mechanical hand-wound
Dimensions : Diameter: 31 mm / Height: 8.60 mm (without hands)
Number of components: 301
Number of jewels: 44
Power reserve: 80+ hours / Two barrels fitted in parallel with four springs
Distinctive features: Charles X style skeletonized stepped bridges
Functions
Hour and minute display
Constant force at 4 o'clock
Case
44 mm x 52.11 x 13.59 mm
  •  Reference: MTR.DTC07.030-050  
5N red gold and anthracite PVD-treated grade 5 titanium (polished / satin-finished)
Black ceramic and anthracite PVD-treated hands with Super-LumiNova
  • Reference: MTR.DTC07.000-020 
White gold and anthracite PVD-treated grade 5 titanium (polished / satin-finished)
Red ruby and black PVD-treated hands with Super-LumiNova
  • Reference: MTR.DTC07.060-080 
5N Red gold
Black ceramic and anthracite PVD-treated hand with Super-LumiNova
Crown
5N red gold and anthracite PVD-treated grade 5 titanium with black PVD-treated titanium cabochon
Water-resistant
30 metres (3 bar / 100 ft)
Dial
Constant force at 4 o'clock
Bracelet/strap
Black alligator
Clasp
ADLC-treated stainless steel, 
Anthracite PVD-treated grade 5 titanium caps, 
5N red gold Christophe Claret logo
Limited edition: 20 pieces
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