Glashütte Original Pocket Watch No. 1

The rediscovery of a way of life

Elegant, handmade pocket watches have always been a symbol of style and sophistication. Worn on a chain, the first pocket watches were admired in the 16th century as masterpieces of watchmaking technology and miniaturization. For the first time, the portable watch made it possible for people to carry the exact time around with them, “on hand”, as it were. Over the centuries, artistically finished pocket watches made of gold were both a status symbol and a useful everyday object. Particularly as a fashion accessory for men, the pocket watch was the expression of a way of life that attached importance to using a precious timepiece to read the time.

With the launch of the Glashütte Original Pocket Watch No. 1, the established manufactory harkens back to this epoch and presents a timelessly elegant pocket watch with quarter-hour repetition, which comes in a worldwide limited edition of 25 pieces. This timepiece in rose gold captivates with its high standard of watchmaking, its innovative construction and aesthetic design. A historical watch by Julius Assmann, a famous pioneer of the Glashütte watchmaking industry, served as the model.

One particularly striking feature of this watch is the quarter-hour repetition, which announces the quarter hours and hours acoustically. Using one tone, the repetition first of all indicates the previous hours, and then, by means of a second and higher tone, the quarter hours which have elapsed since the full hour.

To operate the repetition, a slide is located on the case at 6 o’clock. This is moved by hand in the direction of 9 o’clock, thereby tightening the mainspring. When the final point of the winding has been reached the signal mechanism is activated automatically. The progress of the signal mechanism is regulated by a centrifugal governor visible on the wheel train side. The beating of the two hammers is made audible by means of two gongs of different lengths, which are passed around the piece beneath the wheel train.

Two blued steel hands dominate the dial: the slender minute hand and the hour hand in classic “poire” form turn on the central axis, while the second hand is located underneath the polished eye in a sub-dial area. The classic display is enclosed by a minute ring which, along with the black Roman numerals, stands out in clear contrast to the enamelled dial.

The watch is wound via the crown and the time is set using a two-level yoke winding mechanism. This is designed so that at the moment of winding the crown, the balance wheel is halted and the eccentric second hand jumps to “zero”.

The newly designed hand-wound calibre 84-01 from Glashütte Original permits a precise time display. A doubly non-reflecting sapphire crystal protects the calibre and gives an unobstructed view of the exquisitely decorated piece. With three quarter plate, screwed gold chatons, hand-engraved balance cock and swan-neck fine adjustment, it is a high point of the art of Glashütte watchmaking. This elegant timepiece has a power reserve of 36 hours.

Two hinged lids of polished rose gold protect the watch on both sides, with the name of the watch as well as the serial numbering from 1 to 25 artistically engraved by hand on the bottom of the rear lid. Worn on a robust chain of rose gold in a special waistcoat pocket, the new Glashütte Original Pocket Watch No. 1 is set to become a luxury accessory for today’s refined gentleman.

This special model will be available as of April 2010 when it will be officially presented during BASELWORLD 2010 (18 – 25 March).

Further information:
Amy Chia
The Swatch Group (U.S.) Inc. – Public Relations
P: 201 271 4644
E: amy.chia@swatchgroup.com

CORUM - Golden Bridge Lady

With the Golden Bridge Lady, CORUM introduces a splendid and original interpretation of its legendary model. For the very first time, the famous mechanical hand-wound “baguette” movement is positioned horizontally in the case, delicately engraved to provide a stunning panoramic vision of the gear trains in motion.

Its mainplate and bridges are crafted in 18K gold and topped by two black openworked hour and minute hands. The case of the new Golden Bridge Lady provides a splendid gold, diamond and sapphire stage-setting for the fabulous caliber. The contemporary-sized (41 x 34 mm) case of the Golden Bridge Lady, available in a choice of 18K red or white gold, is graced with perfect proportions well suited to dainty feminine wrists.

The curving case band is set with 108 diamonds, accentuating the precious appearance of this exceptional timepiece. The ethereal vision of the movement nestling inside the case is enhanced by two horizontal flanges arranged on either side of the sapphire crystal case-back and set with 72 diamonds. Thus framing the movement like a genuine work of art, they further magnify the radiance and elegance of the exquisite Golden Bridge Lady.

This epitome of elegance reserved exclusively for women as its name implies, sparkles with more than 2.5 carats of precious stones. The case is water-resistant to 30 meters and fitted with sapphire crystals on the front and back, both treated with an anti-reflective coating, while the crown is set with a white mother-of-pearl applique. The genuine crocodile leather strap comes in white for the red gold model and black for the white gold version, secured by a gold pin buckle. Due to their sheer complexity and exquisitely delicate gem-setting, only a few Golden Bridge Lady watches are to be produced each year.

Technical Specifications

Limited production of 175

Reference
113.353.85/0089 0019R (red gold)
113.353.69/0081 0019G (white gold)

Movement
CO113
Mechanical baguette movement, hand-wound by a stem at 3 o’clock
18kt red gold or white gold hand-engraved plates and bridges
Slipping spring mechanism
Variable inertia balance adjustable by screws
Frequency: 4Hz, 28,800 vibrations/hour
19 jewels
Power reserve of 40 hours

Functions
Hours and minutes

Case
41 x 34mm
18kt red gold 5N or 18kt white gold case
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Case set with 72 diamonds, total: 1.6 ct
Fluted crown at 3 o’clock adorned with white mother-of-pearl

Dial
No dial
Flange set with 108 diamonds total: 0.9ct
“Leaf-shaped” hour and minute hands

Glass
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Strap
Crocodile leather strap, white on red gold models, black on white gold models

Buckle
18kt red gold 5N or 18kt white gold tongue buckle

Water resistance
3 atmospheres (30 meters/99 feet)

Source : www.swisstime.ch