Confrérie Horlogère “Clef du Temps”

An exceptional timepiece that that allows the wearer to “modulate the speed of the time”.
Confrérie Horlogère upmarket watch brand’s “Les Masters” collection is the venue for the presentation of outstanding movements born of pioneering mechanical and engineering research. A prime example is “La Clef du Temps” tourbillon watch featuring a hand-wound mechanical movement providing three days of power reserve.

Truly unusual in design, issued in a very limited series of 24, each of which corresponds to a timezone, “La Clef du Temps” is the brainchild of Mathias Buttet, founder of Confrérie Horlogère.

This extraordinary mechanical timepiece conveys the idea that “true luxury and wealth lie in the possibility to manage one’s time”…

“La Clef du Temps” houses a sophisticated mechanism that allows the wearer to “modulate the speed of the time”. How, exactly? Simply actioning a three-position crown opposite 9 o’clock alters the running speed of the hours and the minutes – the latter displayed at 2 o’clock.

Crown position 1 : the pace of time slows by half (so that the value of one normal hour is displayed as a half-hour on the dial of “La Clef du Temps”).

Crown position 2 : the pace of time remains the same (i.e. one hour remains one hour).

Crown position 3 : the pace of time is doubled (so a standard half-hour becomes a full hour on the dial of “La Clef du Temps”).

Confrérie Horlogère “Clef du Temps”

This way, pleasant moments can be made to last twice as long, while unpleasant ones can be shortened by half while always retaining the option to “return” to real time. The watch’s extremely sophisticated mechanism allows its time indications to remain in positions 1 or 3 as long as its wearer wishes since a simple return of the crown to position 2 resets the hour and the minute hand to the real time of day.

What for Mathias Buttet does his unusual watch stand for? A sort of revenge …. A family weekend with the kids will make anyone realize how quickly happy moments evaporate while moments of crisis or gloom seem never-ending. Mathias Buttet’s “La Clef du Temps” thus provides twenty-four people with a rare opportunity to regain control over their time by… controlling the speed at which is flows.

Other dial information: retrograding running seconds at 4 o’clock and a power-reserve indication (PRI) in a 120° sectoral indicator at 8 o’clock.

Further noteworthy features include the movement, shaped like a stylized human brain, the futuristic case crafted in grade 5 titanium, the strap composed of eight rubber-clad strands and a deployment clasp that features the Confrérie Horlogère logo.

Like all Confrérie Horlogère products, “La Clef du Temps” benefits from a lifetime warranty and the totally Swiss-made provenance of its every part and component.

www.confreriehorlogere.ch

Edox Sea Dubai Super Limited Edition

A Tribute To Sea Dubai Sailing Team

The new Super Limited Edition dedicated to the crew of the sailing yacht embodies the sporting spirit of the regatta, a glorious blend of courtesy, fair play, sportsmanship and courage.

The generous 45 mm case is coated in black PVD to emphasize the enigmatic look. The elegant dial proudly sports a blue 44, the symbol of the class.

Fitted with an Edox 94 mechanical calibre, the power reserve has a blue gauge on the dial and the timepiece is water resistant to 244 metres.

The engraving on the case back has been reinterpreted with a motif representing unfurled gennakers and the name of the watch. The famous porthole aperture affords an in-depth view on the watch’s magnificent mechanism and provides the perfect finishing touch to the new Sea Dubai Super Limited Edition.

The new Sea Dubai Super Limited Edition is limited to 244 pieces worldwide and is presented in a splendid wooden box with a porthole aperture.

Edox Sea Dubai Super Limited Edition with porthole aperture

Technical Features

REF. 94003 357N NIN

Movement:
Edox 94, Soprod 9090 complication

Crystal:
anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal

Case:
stainless steel case 316L with black PVD coating

Case diameter:
45 mm

Case-height:
14 mm

Water-resistance:
244 meters / 800 feet

Dial / Hands:
black carbon fibre

Strap:
genuine black rubber strap, embossed Edox logo, stainless steel 316L folding buckle with black PVD coating

Functions:
hour, minutes, seconds, big date display

Suggested retail price:
CHF 5′300.- / Euros 4′430.-

Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine Limited Edition

Preserving the best from each era and consistently capturing the signs of the times: such is the infinitely delicate responsibility of the designers, master-watchmakers, engineers and artisans of Vacheron Constantin, as they shape creations destined to generate emotions as enduring as those aroused by the discovery of the first pocket watch made by Jean-Marc Vacheron and dated circa 1755.

Throughout its exceptional history characterised by the exploration of countless different paths, in step with current trends and fashions but also guided by its own creative instinct, Vacheron Constantin has consistently distinguished itself – as its historical heritage vividly illustrates – by the extraordinary production of pocket watches that are exceptional in terms of their complications, decorations, shapes…

All of which means that today’s creations from Vacheron Constantin – worthy heirs to a proud legacy and tradition – continue to offer devotees of fine watches a deliberately classical style of contemporary elegance.

Yesterday, a symbol of both prestige and freedom

Since its origins in 1755, the year it was founded, the very soul of Vacheron Constantin has been permeated by the famous credo of its quest for excellence. The face will always reflect the soul, and the soul will always enshrine the timeless beauty of the face. This ageless secret is embodied in each creation by Vacheron Constantin.

The pocket watch was originally created to facilitate people’s daily lives. They no longer needed to listen to the church bells or to check the clock at home or in the office in order to know the time. For the very first time, a powerful symbol of prestige as well as freedom, a watch followed its owner every where and became a source of inspiration for watchmakers who were able to use their know-how in making ever smaller movements designed to facilitate their use.

In the same way, while initially considered as vulnerable, pocket watches only remained so until technological breakthroughs enhanced their protection. Today, they can be made as watertight, accurate and user-friendly as wristwatches. These days everyone has pockets, which was not necessarily the case in days gone by, so there is now nothing to prevent someone indulging in this delightful folly.

Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine Limited Edition

Today, a fine object of contemporary dandyism

Vacheron Constantin is revisiting its past and the golden age of the pocket watch by presenting a model featuring a pure, classic and timeless design, belonging to the Collection Excellence Platine and thus necessarily rare because issued in an extremely limited edition.

While not succumbing to the current vintage craze, this pocket watch sets the tone for authentic contemporary dandyism. This spirit is embodied in the exquisitely refined gesture of removing from one’s pocket a splendidly understated model composed of the rarest and most precious of metals – platinum – distinguished by a density that admirably reflects its value. This sensual timepiece with its gentle curves is equipped with the new mechanical proprietary Calibre 4400, bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. This epitome of elegance is clothed in a navy blue leather pouch that slides on a leather cord or an original platinum-linked chain, according to personal preference. 21st century elegance is no longer all about wearing time on your sleeve…

In a decidedly modern twist, the pocket watch is promoted to the status of a beautiful and iconic object in its own right. Whether nestling in a pocket, hung around the neck or placed as a table-clock on a desk, it represents a wish to look at time differently rather than simply wearing it on the wrist.

A completely different gesture… Holding a precious pocket watch in the palm of your hand, in order to take time to look at the time on its dial, has once again become an infinitely elegant gesture.

A keen awareness of passing time… A pocket watch is also a means of gaining another grip on time: it is held in the hand and thus offers another perception of time, involving a genuine feeling of reappropriating the moment in hand.

A multi-sensorial object…Released at last from the wrist and presented in a playful form thanks to its pouch and its leather cord or platinum chain, the pocket watch appeals to a variety of senses through its tactile, visual and auditory qualities.

Harmonious shapes creating a perfect balance between exterior and interior perfection.

For this first pocket watch in the Patrimony line, Vacheron Constantin once again offers devotees of fine watches the simplicity and elegance of a naturally classical style. The Patrimony Contemporaine pocket watch created by Vacheron Constantin – issued in a limited edition of 50 individually numbered watches available exclusively in the Collection Excellence Platine – reflects a desire guided by the excellence of time-honoured expertise.

A voluptuously curved yet elegantly slender case in 950 platinum; a broad, beautifully restrained 950 platinum dial with a finely grained sandblasted finish reflecting the light with a gentle glow such as only platinum can offer; as well as 950 platinum baton-shaped hands gliding over delicately applied understated hour-markers: the exquisite metallic harmony of this creation contributes to its overall aesthetic equilibrium.

Inside this elegant exterior beats Calibre 4400, the new mechanical hand-wound mechanism representing the latest generation of proprietary movements and entirely designed, developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin according to the highest standards of Geneva’s Grand watchmaking tradition. Its generous 28.50 mm diameter, magnified by the transparency of the sapphire crystal back, is perfectly suited to the equally liberally sized 43 mm case.

Thanks to its large barrel, this calibre driving the solitary hour and minute hands is endowed with around 65 hours’ power reserve, corresponding to three full days. And since Vacheron Constantin consistently matches such understated simplicity with exceptional finishing, Calibre 4400 proudly bears the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva.

The Patrimony Contemporaine pocket watch Collection Excellence Platine thus embodies a philosophy that has remained unchanged through 250 years of history, experience and expertise: an obsession for perfection at each stage in the conception of a watch, and in each and every second of the life of the person it so faithfully accompanies.

Pure, rare, eternal… Platinum, the most precious of all metals

The obvious choice of precious metal when only the best or the most exclusive will do, platinum has inspired Vacheron Constantin to create its Collection Excellence Platine Limited Editions, in tribute to the distinctive properties and assets of this rare metal.

Long considered the exclusive preserve of royalty and statesmen, now joined by collectors and exceptional individuals with refined tastes, platinum conveys a definite aura of prestige that elicits a sense of kinship among a distinguished elite of discerning connoisseurs. For them, owning a Vacheron Constantin timepiece from the Collection Excellence Platine grants them privileged access to one of the world’s most exclusive circles.

Each new and necessarily limited-edition Vacheron Constantin model identified as belonging to the Collection Excellence Platine features a solid platinum dial discreetly bearing the inscription “PT950”, along with platinum hands, case and crown, and is housed within a grey lacquered ashwood presentation box.

Vacheron Constantin watchmakers first began using platinum in 1820, and the Geneva-based manufacture has since employed this precious metal in many of its most complex and original creations.

While 18-carat gold contains just 75% of the precious metal, platinum is 95% pure. Also much rarer than gold, it is found in an extremely small number of deposits worldwide, mainly in South Africa.

Its density and its weight are far superior to other metals and make it a more durable material. This quality means that a tiny scratch on a platinum model merely displaces the metal, engendering only a minimal loss of material. An object in platinum therefore retains its full value, as befits a token of eternity. Moreover, it is not subject to oxidation and is thus not affected by the passing of time, making it a perfect lifelong companion.

In addition to its resistance and its density, platinum boasts another remarkable quality: its extreme malleability. It is indeed malleable to the point where a single gram of metal can be drawn out to form a thread stretching almost two kilometres.

Vacheron Constantin created the Collection Excellence Platine specifically in order to highlight the distinctive qualities of this noble metal.

Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine Limited Edition

Technical Specifications

Reference
Patrimony Contemporaine pocket watch
Collection Excellence Platine
82028/000P-9490

Limited edition of 50 numbered pieces

Movement
4400, developed and produced Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva

Energy
Mechanical, manual-winding

Height of movement
2.8 mm

Diameter of movement
28.50 mm

Jewels
21 rubies

Frequency
28′800 vibrations/hours

Indications
Hours and minutes

Power-reserve
Approx. 65 hours

Case
Platinum 950
43.00 mm diameter

Water-resistance
3 Bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial
Platinum 950
Finishing sand-blasted
« PT 950 » hallmark between 4 and 5 o’clock

Chain Delivered with an alligator leather cord
Length 30 cm

Platinum chain available on order
Length 30 cm

DeWitt Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Mecanica

With the Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Mecanica, a wristworn companion exuding an even more ruggedly virile and unmistakably modern charm, DeWitt is once again displaying noteworthy creativity by enriching its legendary constant-force tourbillon with a dial featuring a revolutionary design.

Presented as a world first at Baselworld 2006, the ingenious regulation system incorporated within the Tourbillon Force Constante Academia, first presented at Baselworld 2006, has been entirely revisited by the DeWitt master-watchmakers, and the completely redesigned movement can be admired on the dial of this new model. Its previously off-centred hand-setting is now located in the middle of the dial on the Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Mecanica, thereby considerably facilitating time read-off.

The aesthetic of this model has also been revamped to enhance its modern appeal. Inspired by its inherently avant-garde nature, DeWitt wished to endow its creation with a powerful masculine appearance that is the timeless signature of the Geneva-based watchmaker. The upper part of the black sunburst dial on the Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Mecanica has thus been embellished with a “car radiator grille” motif surrounded by a rhodium-plated ring. The openings revealing the tourbillon and the movement regulating organ have been fitted with a tinted glass, a visually appealing system that lends a mysterious contemporary elegance to this distinguished timepiece.

Equipped with the mechanical hand-wound DW8003 movement, the Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Mecanica embodies the original constant-force principle, which involves integrating a regularity-enhancing additional mechanism within a traditional movement. Between the initial moment of winding the watch and the end of the power reserve, the constant-force device serves to transmit regular and identical energy impulses, whatever the degree of tension of the barrel spring.

Limited edition

DeWitt Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Mecanica

Technical Specifications

Calibre
DW8003

Movement
Mechanical hand-wound

Power reserve
72 hours

Movement thickness
7.8mm

Movement diameter
30mm

Vibrations
21,600 AH

Balance
4-armed Gyromax

Balance-spring
Flat

Escapement
52° angle of lift

Jewelling
25 jewels

Case
Rose or white gold; back secured with screws

Diameter
43mm

Thickness
12mm

Dial
Sunburst guilloche dial and gold

Strap
Alligator leather

Buckle
Folding clasp in rose or white gold

Water resistance
30 metres

Edition
Limited edition

Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve

Five different finishes for an ultra-sophisticated new dial: the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin once again demonstrates its superlative mastery of the watchmaking art with its new Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve model.

The tonneau or “barrel” shape, explored by Vacheron Constantin since 1912. In 1889, the Geneva-based manufacturer produced its very first wristwatches and also began charting new stylistic territory, in step with the major artistic movements characterising the dawn of the 20th century. In turn elongating, curving, embellishing or paring down the case according to the inspiration of the moment, Vacheron Constantin already introduced departures from exclusively round designs in 1912, starting with the famous tonneau or “barrel” shape. A contemporary expression of the brand’s inimitable artistic sensitivity, the Malte line was born with the third millennium in a reinterpretation of the tonneau shape. As the loyal guardian of an unbroken Genevan watchmaking tradition since 1755, Vacheron Constantin has an exceptional heritage that represents an inexhaustible source of inspiration for its contemporary creations such as this new Malte model.

With its generously sized case (39×49mm), original fan-shaped lugs, distinctively graphic dial design and facetted dagger-shaped hands, the new Malte is bound to delight the most demanding connoisseurs.

The tonneau-shaped case frames a magnificently harmonious dial in silvered gold, striking a perfect balance between technical and traditional watchmaking. It is adorned with five different finishes, all of them involving highly skilled craftsmanship. The inner zone features a silvered, finely hand-guilloché “Clous de Paris” or hobnail motif. The outer zone is decorated with a vertical satin-brushed finish, also silvered. The minute circle, the power-reserve display as well as the inscriptions Vacheron Constantin Genève and Swiss Made are all transferred, while the seconds subdial at 6 o’clock is circular satin-brushed. And finally, the minute-circle and power-reserve zones are screen-printed in white. The moon-phase display embodies a clever blend of technology and expertise, composed of a disc with a galvanised base and a moon face in 18-carat white gold or pink gold depending on the model. The extremely broad dial ensuring user-friendly readability is punctuated by nine hour-markers, two Roman numerals and a Maltese cross, all in 18-carat white or pink gold, depending on the version.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve, white gold

The manual-winding 1410 calibre powering the Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve is entirely developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. It bears the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, a token of quality reserved exclusively for movements stemming from the finest Geneva workshops, and graced with exceptionally careful hand-crafted finishing. Both sides of the mainplate are circular-grained and the edge drawn out, meaning adorned with parallel lines using a file and bevelled. Also meticulously drawn out and bevelled, the bridges are embellished with a Côtes de Genève motif. In addition to hour and minute hands, Calibre 1410 drives a precision moon-phase display which will not require any setting for more than 100 years and an indication of the over 40-hour power reserve. This 22-jewel manual-winding movement oscillates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve is available with a case in 18-carat white gold or 5N pink gold. The satin-brushed case-back is secured by screws. The dial is protected by a glareproofed cambered sapphire crystal. Naturally guaranteed water-resistant to a depth of 30 metres, this timepiece is fitted with a square-scale alligator-leather strap in black for the white gold model and chestnut brown for the rose gold model – both equipped with a gold folding clasp matching the case colour.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve, pink gold

Technical Specifications

References
Malte moon phase and power-reserve
83080/000G-9408 et 83080/000R-9407

Movement
1410, developed and produced Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva

Energy
Mechanical, manual-winding

Height of movement
4.2 mm

Diameter of movement
26.00 mm

Jewels
22 rubies

Frequency
28′800 vibrations/hours

Indications
Hours, minutes
Small seconds at 6 o’clock
Precision moon phase
Power-reserve

Power-reserve
Approx. 40 hours

Case
18 K white or 5N pink gold
39 mm x 49 mm tonneau shape

Water-resistance
3 bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial
18 K white or 5N pink gold
Silvered, « Clou de Paris » hand-guilloché interior zone
Vertical satin finished exterior zone
Applied Maltese cross in 18K white gold or 5N pink gold

Strap
Black or brown hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-scaled alligator leather

Clasp
18K white or 5N pink gold folding clasp, polished half Maltese cross

Invention Piece 1 White gold case

Honoring the first invention

The Invention Piece 1 embodies Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey’s wish to honor the Double Tourbillon 30° and to raise the bar yet another notch by opening up whole new vistas for their first major invention. Both the architecture of the movement and the display of information symbolize the four years of meticulous research that the Inventor Watchmakers have devoted to developing the new mechanism.

In this Invention Piece 1, the creative Greubel Forsey twosome has rearranged the volumes and surfaces of the timepiece according to a new technical and aesthetic structure. The latter places the Double Tourbillon 30° at the centre of a semi-circular hour and minute display, thereby visually reinforcing the link between the mechanism responsible for measuring the time and its “symbolic” indication.

Compared with the Double Tourbillon 30°, the movement driving the Invention Piece 1 has been profoundly modified to off-center the double cage by shifting it slightly to the left and distinctly higher. This position freed up space to place the object of the invention at the very center of the highly original hour and minute display. Two triangular indicators – a red one for the hours and a blue one for the minutes – enable the observer to follow the passing of time on the mechanism’s two concentric semi-circles.

To facilitate read-off, the 12-hour and 0-minute markers are aligned at the traditional 12 o’clock position.

Invention Piece 1 Red gold case

Magnificently evoking the mechanical genius of the Invention Piece 1, the various speeds of rotation of these different elements give an idea of the complexity of the mechanism: whereas the outer cage takes four minutes to perform a complete rotation and the inner cage just 60 seconds, the double hands turn in 24 hours for the hours display and two hours for minutes.

Around the tourbillon with its indicators, the absence of a dial reveals the frosted nickel silver bridges that are clearly visible on three distinct levels.
This opening provides a view of the concentric gearing serving to drive the hour and minute indicators. The off-centred small seconds and power-reserve displays are reminiscent of a miniature solar system.

While the case with its signature Greubel Forsey lugs is immediately recognizable, this Invention Piece 1 expresses its unique nature, reinforced by an unexpected detail: directly engraved on a plate appearing on the case-back, a unique message from the Inventor Watchmakers will forever accompany the owner of this exceptional timepiece.

388 parts contribute to the smooth running of the movement driving the Invention Piece 1, including 128 for the double cage that weighs just 1.17 grams.

The Invention Piece 1 is produced in a single edition comprising three versions of 11 watches each, a number chosen for its symbolic value representing the Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey partnership.

Invention Piece 1

Technical Specifications

Mechanical hand-wound movement, GF Calibre 02n

Off-centered Double Tourbillon 30°, Outer Tourbillon 4-minute rotation indicator, Inner Tourbillon 60-second rotation indicator, hours and minutes display,
seconds display, power-reserve indicator. Patented DT30° mechanism

Unique edition of 33 pieces

Movement
Movement dimensions
Diameter: 36.4 mm
Thickness: 12.72 mm

Number of parts
Complete movement: 388 parts
Tourbillon cage: 128 parts
Weight of the cage: 1.17 g

Number of jewels
38
Olive-domed jewels in gold chatons

Power reserve
72 hours

Barrels
Series-coupled fast-rotating double barrel (1 turn in 3.2 hours), equipped with a slip-spring to avoid excessive tension

Balance wheel
Free sprung balance with white gold mean-time screws (10.7 mm diameter)

Frequency
21’600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring
Phillips terminal curve
Geneva-style stud

Main Plates
Spotted and frosted nickel silver

Bridges
Frosted and gold-finished nickel silver
“Message from the Inventor Watchmakers” text in relief on a gold plate

Gearing
Involute circle profile
Conical gearing with corrected profile

Inner Tourbillon
Inclined at a 30° angle, 1 rotation per minute

Outer Tourbillon
1 rotation in 4 minutes
Hand-bevelled and open-worked cage pillars
Solid gold counterweight plate

Displays
Hours and minutes
Small seconds
72-hour power reserve on a sector

Habillage
Case
In gold or platinum with convex sapphire crystal, 3 versions in series of 11 each
Transparent back with convex sapphire crystal
Raised engraving of the name of the Invention on a hand-punched background
Gold security screws
Hand-engraved individual number

Case dimensions
Diameter: 43.5 mm
Thickness: 16.64 mm

Water resistance of the case
3 ATM – 30 m – 100 ft

Crown
Gold with engraved and black lacquered GF logo

Hands
Hours (red triangle) and minutes (blue triangle)
Small seconds
Power-reserve pointers in flame-blued steel

Strap
Hand-sewn black or brown alligator leather with gold folding clasp, hand-embossed with the Greubel Forsey initials

Vogue Joyas winners

The prestigious Spanish orchestra conductor Inma Shara, international image of Vacheron Constantin, received proudly the Award

Madrid, 23th June, 2009- The Vogue Jewels Awards 2009 was celebrated in Madrid (Spain). The impressive model Kallania won the prize in the category “Best Jewel Watch”.

The prestigious Spanish orchestra’s conductor Inma Shara, international image of Vacheron Constantin, was accompanied by Jean Louis Queimado, Brand Manager of Vacheron Constantin Iberia. This award is recognition to the exquisite work that has inspired the Manufacture’s master craftsmen to create a new world record: 186 emerald-cut diamonds for a total of approximately 170 carats that illuminates this miracle of patience and perfection.

Kallania is a masterpiece and a worthy heir of the renowned Kallista, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year.

Inma Shara, international image of Vacheron Constantin

Before it was individually certified by the independent laboratory of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), each diamond went through a long and a selection process from among a large number of stones extracted from several million tones of diamantiferous deposit. The exceptional level of purity, colour, cut, finishing and homogeneity is a rare achievement indeed.

More than any other factor, it is the proportions and precise positioning of the thousands of facets that make precious stones so beautiful. Perfectly aligned, the facets have been meticulously polished by experts to achieve a maximum clarity of reflected light.

Thanks to their light and delicate finishing, the diamonds reveal all their splendor once they have been inserted using the bead-setting technique; each bead is shaped like an inverted pyramid to lighten the appearance of the piece and highlight its luster and radiance.

The assembly, which is carved from white gold, gives shape to the cascade of diamonds which cover it. The perfectly integrated case and bracelet give this distinctive cuff-watch a contemporary air.

By combining traditional savoir-faire with contemporary design, Vacheron Constantin has once again affirmed its values in the 21st century. This house collectors’ piece shows its true worth, the thinnest mechanical movement in the world, the 1003 caliber. Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin, it is stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva.

Vacheron Constantin Kallania

Technical Specifications

Reference
Kallania – 33870/S02G-9452

Movement
1003, developed and produced Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the hallmark of Geneva

Energy
Mechanical, manual-winding

Height of movement
1.64 mm

Diameter of movement
20.80 mm

Jewels
18 rubies

Frequency
18′000 vibrations/hour

Indications
Hours and minutes

Power-reserve
Approx. 30 hours

Water-resistance
3 bar, equivalent to 30 metres

Case
18K white gold set with 18 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 35 ct.

Dial
18K white gold set with 32 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 9.5 ct.

Bracelet
18K white gold set with 136 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 125 ct.

Clasp
Paved scale clasp in 18K white gold

Total of the weight of approx 169.5 ct.

LANGE ZEITWERK, white gold, dial black, time bridge made of untreated German silver. Manually wound, jumping hours and minutes, small seconds hand with stop seconds, power-reserve indicator. Lange manufacture calibre L043.1 with constant-force escapement.

With a new timepiece concept, A. Lange & Söhne ventures a bold step forward Often, it is a new face that ushers in new times. That was the case after the rift in Europe had healed and the LANGE 1 paved the way for the comeback of A. Lange & Söhne. Fifteen years ago, it enriched the realm of horology with a fundamentally new concept and unprecedented technical finesse. As a design icon, it has long conquered its place at the pinnacle of timelessness. Now, with a mechanical, precisely jumping hour and minute indication of singular clarity, Lange presents another milestone. So yet again, a new face ushers in the next era in timekeeping. Its name: LANGE ZEITWERK.

“I shut my eyes in order to see” – the creative maxim of famous French painter Paul Gauguin was adopted by Lange’s calibre engineers and designers as they resolved to explore uncharted territory and, from an unbiased viewpoint, devise a watch that would be evolutionary and progressive in every respect. Ultimately, progress is always a result of curiosity. The question at Lange was: “Can the principles of a mechanical watch and a modern time indication format be persuasively combined?” The answer is the first mechanical wristwatch with a truly eloquent jumping numeral display. It is a watch that reinterprets time in an era of change. It not only endows time with a new face but also defines a new direction in watchmaking. It is a timepiece that embodies the spirit of time and simultaneously transcends it. Indeed, it is a watch that lets its owner experience a totally new sense of time.

LANGE ZEITWERK

A fresh design concept underscores the paradigm shift: The German-silver time bridge unfolds its wings across the entire width of the dial to prominently frame the large numerals of the laterally aligned windows that present the hours and minutes. It extends down to encircle the subsidiary seconds dial as well, uniting all three levels of time measurement in a harmonious setting. With its easy-to-grip bevelled flutes, the knurled crown points up and away, predicting an upswing movement. And in the upper third of the dial, the continuous power-reserve indicator reliably tells the owner when it is time to re-energise the movement.

With its emblematic name, the LANGE ZEITWERK is a watch that stands for uncompromising clarity. Thanks to the unparalleled size of its numerals, it tells the current time at even a cursory glance. With a whispered click and within fractions of a second, the minute display advances step by step until the watch initiates the big jump at the top of the hour. At this point, all three numeral discs switch forward simultaneously and instantaneously by exactly one unit. Here, timekeeping is elevated to the status of an event. The perfect moment for the showdown is at 11:59 – “high noon” in a widescreen format. The seconds hand embarks on its leisurely trajectory along the periphery of the subsidiary dial. Time seems to slow down as its course is deliberately observed. Thirty seconds to go. Mounting suspense. Then: ten … three, two, one – click – 12:00. One small step for a watch, but a giant leap for horology.

Beneath the extraordinary face, an equally revolutionary movement with a diameter of 33.6 millimetres fully occupies the space inside the 41.9-millimetre gold or platinum case.

LANGE ZEITWERK, platinum, dial rhodié, time bridge made of untreated German silver.

The significant amount of energy required to simultaneously advance all three numeral discs once every hour is delivered by a newly developed barrel with an extra-strong mainspring. Its patented design literally turns the venerable wind/unwind principle upside down. Thus, the mainspring barrel bearing with the higher friction rating is involved when the watch is being wound, but the barrel wheel always turns in the minimised-friction bearing as the mainspring gradually relaxes. This makes more torque available for powering the watch as well as the ensemble of discs with the hour and minute numerals.

A constant-force escapement, also patented, between the barrel wheel and the balance acts as a pacemaker for the jumping advance of the hours and minutes – in its compactness, the mechanism is quite likely unprecedented. The forces that occur when the numeral discs are accelerated and braked are far beyond the magnitude normally encountered in a movement. To absorb them, a fly governor was integrated in the mechanism. As it rotates, its vanes must displace air like a fan; it is this resistance that dissipates much of the energy and assures gentle switching.

At the same time, the constant-force escapement makes an important contribution to stabilising the rate of the movement: across the entire 36-hour autonomy period, it drives the balance with nearly uniform power, regardless of the state of wind of the mainspring and unaffected by the energy-consuming switching cycles that take place in one-minute intervals. Incidentally, a balance wheel with eccentric poising weights and a hairspring manufactured in-house constitute the high-precision beat controller.

LANGE ZEITWERK, yellow gold, dial champagne, time bridge made of untreated German silver.

As progressive as this watch with the “A. Lange & Söhne” signature may be, it remains a staunch advocate of classic horological values. A glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the lavishly decorated L043.1 manufacture calibre that in addition to all its technical novelties of course also features a three-quarter plate, a hand-engraved balance cock, and screwed gold chatons – each element is an endearingly familiar and regal asset of every Lange watch.

Chronoswiss’ “Edition Zeitzeichen” 2009 - Zeitzeichen V

Model:
Edition Zeitzeichen [“Signs of the Times Edition”]
Limited edition (very small series of only 33 pieces)
Large wristwatch (hand-wound), with guilloche, engravings and skeletonizing performed by hand

Reference no.:
Zeitzeichen V (floral, fully skeletonized)
– CH 6721 ZR V red gold (18 ct.)
– CH 6721 ZW V white gold (18 ct.)

Zeitzeichen VI (floral, partial dial)
– CH 6721 ZR VI red gold (18 ct.)
– CH 6721 ZW VI white gold (18 ct.)

Zeitzeichen VII (dragon)
– CH 6721 ZR VII red gold (18 ct.)
– CH 6721 ZW VII white gold (18 ct.)

Displays:
Hours , minutes, seconds

Chronoswiss’ “Edition Zeitzeichen” 2009 - Zeitzeichen VI

Case:
Massive 21-part case made of 18 ct. red gold, brushed and polished, diameter 44 mm, height 10.80 mm; flat one-sided antireflective sapphire crystal; massive, onion-shaped crown made of same material as the case; fully threaded screw-in back with one-sided antireflective sapphire crystal; screwed-on strap bars with patented Autobloc system, water-resistant up to 3 atmospheres

Movement:
ETA 6498-1 in an individual modification (very small series), hand-wound, diameter 36.6 mm (16 ½’’’), height 4.50 mm), 17 jewels, Incabloc shock absorption, appx. 40-hour power reserve, 2.5 hertz, 18,000 vph; hand-engraved Glycydur screw balance, Nivarox-1 flat balance-spring; pallet, escape wheel and screws are highgloss polished; base plate, gear-train bridges and balance cock elaborately and manually skeletonized and engraved; hand-polished steel screws (some of them blued) and blued pawl, transmission wheel and ratchet wheel; certain other parts of the movement are coated with blue platinum

Chronoswiss’ “Edition Zeitzeichen” 2009 - Zeitzeichen VII

Dial:
Solid sterling silver dial (925) guilloché, engraved and skeletonized by hand

Hands:
Blued steel hands

A unique Vacheron Constantin marking the 10th anniversary of Action Innocence

VACHERON CONSTANTIN is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Action Innocence with a unique watch that has the flattest mechanical movement. A skeleton watch, hand decorated that is incarnating the highest standards of decorative arts craft, so dear to the Genevan watchmaker.

Vacheron Constantin continues to support the association by donating an exceptional and unique watch to the auction to held during the Gala Dinner on Thursday 18 June in Geneva.

The skeleton movement of this unique timepiece, that was design specially for this occasion, has a so called “Ottoman” decoration. On the side at nine a clock it has engraved “Action Innocence”.

This watch – with a diameter of 30mm and a thickness of 5.48mm – in polished 18K white gold, on top has a convex sapphire crystal along with a transparent background that you can admire the famous mechanical caliber 1003 manual winding SQ stamped the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, of a thickness of only 1.64 mm, which is the size the flattest in the world. The hands indicating the hours and the minutes are painted in black.

The gift of a timepiece that is celebrating the craft of watchmaking and the excellent finish characteristic to Vacheron Constantin – marks the importance given by the watch manufacturer to the daily work of the association, chaired by Valerie Wertheimer, with the objective of helping to preserve the dignity and integrity of children on the Internet.

Geneva, 18th of Mai 2009
PR Vacheron Constantin – Genève – T+ 41 22 930 20 05

Translated from French by the Editor