Visiting the Audemars Piguet Manufacture

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Straight from sunny Florence I flew to back to snowy Switzerland to visit the manufacture of Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux. Being the oldest fine watchmaker that is still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet), I had the chance to indulge in the brand’s history and to explore the craftsmanship first hand.

sandra_bauknecht_audemars_piguet_manufacture_visitWearing a work coat and shoe covers for protection at the manufacture.

img_4949The modern part of the manufacture.

Since 1875, the company has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie, including a number of world firsts. At the heart of the Swiss Jura, numerous masterpieces are created in limited series embodying a remarkable degree of horological perfection, including daring sporty models, classic and traditional timepieces, splendid ladies’ jewellery-watches, as well as one-of-a-kind creations.

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I was deeply impressed seeing the precision that goes into the assemblage of the 3120 movement that comes also with my favorite watch, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold  – 37 mm .

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img_4951The entrance to the museum.

Over the years, Audemars Piguet has collected vintage models that are beautifully presented in the in-house museum that is only open to private tours.

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audemars_piguet_manufacture_11audemars_piguet_22An impressive family history

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montre_musique_audemars_piguetMusical watch, around 1840, Piguet & Meyland

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audemars_repetition-minuteRepetition Minutes, 1875, Louis Audemars

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royal_oak_audemars_piguetThe first Royal Oak was designed by Gérald Genta in 1972.

dates_audemars_piguetUntil today, all information on sold watches are written down by hand. In the ’30s, customers included Bulgari, Van Cleef and Bucherer.

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At the moment, Audemars Piguet is building a new museum in Le Brassus designed by Danish architectural firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group). Incorporating the existing building, the new form of a hairspring will showcase the history of the oldest, family owned watchmaker (see below).

LoL, Sandra

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Collage and last photo: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet, all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold

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After today’s earlier post about the launch event of the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold by Audemars Piguet in Florence, I would like to show you this beauty in detail. For me, it was love at first sight. Since quite some time, I have been wishing for a rose gold watch but have not discovered the one I truly liked. Now I have found my match.

carolina_bucci_audemars_piguet_frosted_gold_royal_oakThe new Royal Oak Frosted Gold from 2016 interpreted by Carolina Bucci.

royal_oak_jacqueline_dimierA design icon – the Royal Oak from the ’70s created by Jacqueline Dimier

Celebrating 40 years of a women’s design icon, this contemporary timepiece is available in both white gold and pink gold and has been created in collaboration with Florentine jewellery designer, Carolina Bucci whom I met in her studio in Italy for an amazing interview that will be published shortly. Just like the Royal Oak Frosted Gold, I was immediately taken by her style, grace and sophistication. Moreover, she is a warm-hearted person and it felt like we have been knowing each other for ages.

audemars_piguet_ro40_08_carolina_bucci_officergbHaving fun at work: Carolina Bucci and Jacqueline Dimier

The original Royal Oak was designed by Gérald Genta in 1972 und reinterpreted by Jacqueline Dimier in 1976 as the first version for women. It was a first task when she joined the company in 1975. Rather than play down the masculine looks of the Royal Oak, Jacqueline Dimier shifted the approach and played to its strong character, adapting its handsome proportions to obtain a lighter, sleeker look.

In 2016, the Le Brassus Manufacture honours the style and character of another female designer, Carolina Bucci, who has contributed to the Royal Oak legacy.

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The launch of the Royal Oak Frosted Gold enriches Audemars Piguet’s tradition of experimenting with jewelry techniques. Its defining feature resides in its shimmering sparkle reminiscent of diamond dust, which in turn comes from a surface treatment process rooted in an ancient gold hammering technique, also called the Florentine technique which is an iconic style element used by Carolina Bucci for her eponymous jewelry line.

By beating the gold with a diamond tipped tool, it creates tiny indentations on the surface that give a sparkle effect similar to that of precious stones. After many months of trial and error, Audemars Piguet’s experts developed it into a horological craft suited to the unique case and bracelet construction of the Royal Oak.

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One of the challenges for Audemars Piguet’s craftsmen was for example that the original gradating bracelet construction demanded that the order in which the rest of the finishing (polishing and satin finish) is executed be reconsidered.

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It took many weeks between both parties, Bucci’s Florentine craftsmen and Audemars Piguet’s manufacture to alter the surface of the gold in such a way that it sparkles when catching the light, while retaining the softness and flexibility of the Royal Oak’s bracelet. It is a very delicate alchemy to operate: nothing is added, nothing is removed, but the watch is transformed.

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Today Audemars Piguet merges Jacqueline Dimier’s timeless design with Carolina Bucci’s contemporary approach, marking a dazzling link between modern horology and contemporary jewellery: The Royal Oak Frosted Gold, when a watch icon turns 40 years young!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

frosted_gold_rose_gold_37mm

ROYAL OAK FROSTED GOLD – 37 mm (MY FAVORITE!)
Ref: 15454OR.GG.1259OR.01

CASE
Hammered 18-carat pink gold case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, water-resistant to 50 m.
DIAL
Silver-toned dial with “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, pink gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
BRACELET
Hammered 18-carat pink gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
FUNCTIONS
Hours – Minutes – Centre seconds – Date

 royal_oak_frosted_gold_rose_33

ROYAL OAK FROSTED GOLD – 33 mm
Ref: 67653OR.GG.1263OR.01

CASE
Hammered 18-carat pink gold case, glareproofed sapphire crystal, water-resistant to 50 m.
DIAL
Silver-toned dial with “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, pink gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
BRACELET
Hammered 18-carat pink gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
FUNCTIONS
Hours – Minutes – Date

royal_oak_frosted_gold_white_gold_37

ROYAL OAK FROSTED GOLD – 37 mm
Ref: 15454BC.GG.1259BC.01

CASE
Hammered 18-carat white gold case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, water-resistant to 50 m.
DIAL
Rhodium-toned dial with “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
BRACELET
Hammered 18-carat white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
FUNCTIONS
Hours – Minutes – Centre seconds – Date

royal_oak_frosted_gold_white_33

ROYAL OAK FROSTED GOLD – 33 mm
Ref: 67653BC.GG.1263BC.01

CASE
Hammered 18-carat white gold case, glareproofed sapphire crystal, water-resistant to 50 m.
DIAL
Rhodium-toned dial with “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
BRACELET
Hammered 18-carat white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
FUNCTIONS
Hours – Minutes – Date

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I am so in love… hope you will like it, too!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet

With Audemars Piguet in Florence

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As the women’s Royal Oak celebrates its 40th anniversary, I was invited last week by Audemars Piguet to join them for the unveiling of the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold in Florence at Palazzo Vecchio, which is the town hall of the Italian city.

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The dinner was held inside the breathtaking Salone dei Cinquecento that has a length of 52 m (170 ft), is 23 m (75 ft) broad and dates back to 1494. On the walls are large and expansive frescoes that depict battles and military victories by Florence over Pisa and Siena by Giorgio Vasari. You immediately understand why it plays such a key role in Dan Brown’s «Inferno».

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Interesting to know is that before the entrustment of Vasari, the two greatest Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, were commissioned for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room. Leonardo started working on the «Battle of Anghiari», while Michelangelo focused on another portion of the wall for the «Battle of Cascina», but none of their work was ever completed. Attempts made to find Da Vinci’s original work behind the Vasari fresco have so far been inconclusive.

ap_royal_oak_frosted_gold_launch_09_jacqueline_dimier_and_carolina_bucci_officergbTwo creative minds united: Jacqueline Dimier and Carolina Bucci

royal_oak_frosted_gold_audemars_piguetPersonally speaking: The new Royal Oak Frosted Gold was love at first sight for me.

Coming back to the shining reinvention of an iconic design, that fast first created in 1976 for women by Jacqueline Dimier, the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold has been reinvented in collaboration with Florentine jewellery designer, Carolina Bucci. Both attended the gala dinner along with Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Audemars Piguet, François-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive Officer, model Arizona Muse, as well as actress and brand ambassador Freida Pinto.

sandra_bauknecht_francois_henry_bennahmiasWith Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henry Bennahmias

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sandra_bauknecht_freida_pintoWith Freida Pinto

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Power Ladies: Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm, Editor in Chief Style Magazine/Bolero, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Audemars Piguet and Dominique Lohm, PR Audemars Piguet/The Pool with my humble self

ap_royal_oak_frosted_gold_launch_10_palazzo_vecchio_firenze_officergb

table_setting_audemars_piguetBeautiful table setting

sabina_hanselmann_diethelm_david_pantillon_sandra_bauknechtHaving a great time with Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm, Editor-in-Chief Style Magazine/Bolero and David Pantillon, Country General Manager Switzerland

ap_royal_oak_frosted_gold_launch_14_palazzo_vecchio_firenze_officergbChef Annie Féolde and her team framed by Freida Pinto and François-Henry Bennahmias

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After a sensational dinner imagined by local 3* Chef Annie Féolde, the evening ended with a showcase concert by Brocken Back, sending us off in the crisp Florentine night with lots of amazing memories.

ap_royal_oak_frosted_gold_launch_21_broken_back_officergbLive performance by Broken Back

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The next day my adventure continued. I flew with a private jet back to Switzerland to visit Audemars Piguet’s manufacture in Le Brassus.

Stay tuned for more for more details on the visit and the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold that has captured my heart in a second as well as an amazing interview with Carolina Bucci and Freida Pinto.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet and © Sandra Bauknecht

Birthday Memories

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Today is my birthday and yes, I do love having birthdays! I am honest, I love cake, a glass of champagne, surprises and being surrounded by my friends…

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I still remember two years ago when I celebrated into my big day during the opening celebration of the new Audemars Piguet store in Zurich. I had the honor to be seated next to the brand’s CEO François-Henry Bennahmias, who went on stage to tell the guests that nobody was allowed to leave the party before midnight because of me. Great memories!

Let’s see what will happen today…

SandraBauknecht_CEOAudemarsCEO Audemars Piguet François-Henry Bennahmias with me

HJ_79420BC-ZZ-9190BC-01_4_closeup_OriginalThe newly launched Diamond Fury watch

And if anyone is looking for a birthday surprise for a loved one, have a look at Audemars Piguet‘s newest watch launch, that was presented during SIHH 2016: Diamond Fury, a true Haute Joaillerie talisman, that reveals its mysterious character via a secret panel which, when touched, subtly unclips to show the dial beneath. It took passion, perfection, over 1,500 hours and 4,635 brilliant-cut diamonds to created this amazing cuff watch with a punk-rock goddess streak.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Audemars Piguet

In Geneva for SIHH

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Today and running through the week, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) has opened its doors. Only invited journalists and retailers from around the world are able to visit this most exclusive watch fair in Geneva at the Palexpo convention center. Renowned watch brands, such as IWC Schaffhausen, Audemars Piguet, Piaget, Montblanc, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin just to name a few display their newest timepieces. As all of these houses have in general famous ambassadors, you will most likely run in many celebrities at the exhibition. In the evening, exclusive events take place. One that is definitely not to miss is IWC Schaffhausen’s gala night which always takes place on Tuesday evening. Enjoy some of my impressions of last year and stay tuned for the new ones coming up soon!

Sandra_Bauknecht_CHarlotte_CashiraghiMonday night is Montblanc night. Charlotte Casiraghi wore the same Montblanc earrings than me.

PierreNiney_Sandra_BauknechtFrench actor Pierre Niney

BoothIWCTuesday is THE day at the IWC Schaffhausen booth, many celebrities (here among them Nico Rosberg, Louis Hamilton, Ronan and Storm Keating) visit the Swiss watch manufacturer.

Marc_Forster_Sandra_Bauknecht_LuisGarciaFanjulFramed by Marc Forster and Luis Garcia Fanjul.

Sandra_Bauknecht_Karolina_KurkovaIWC brand ambassador Karolina Kurkova with me

In the evening, the IWC gala «Journey to the Stars» took place which was amazing.

IWC Gala 1

Sandra_Bauknecht_Adriana_Lima_Barbara_BeckerWith Adriana Lima and Barbara Becker.

SimplyRedGreat performance by Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall.

Sandra_Bauknecht_Emily_BluntLove her! Emily Blunt

IMG_9708Having fun!

Sandra_Bauknecht_James_MarsdenJames Marsden.

Georges Kern and Sandra Bauknecht, 2015With IWC Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern 

Sandra_Bauknecht_Louis_HamiltonBritish Formula 1 racing car driver Lewis Hamilton

hublot-SIHH-2015-ladies-watch-Big-Bang-Broderie-As SIHH is all about watches, I would like to show you two of my favorite models I spotted last year. First the Big Bang Broderie by Hublot. Sized at 41mm, these beautiful watches come in three styles (two are shown in the picture). All are limited to 200 pieces, each style.

Capture d’écran 2014-12-17 à 23.13.05And second, Cartier‘s Rêve de Panthère watch. In this spectacular creation, Cartier’s panther emblem enters the decoration – at once diurnal and nocturnal – of a day/night movement that belongs to the great tradition of the Maison’s complications. Like by magic, The background sky changes from starry night to shining sun for an extraordinary interpretation of time measurement.

Enjoy your day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hublot and Cartier, © Sandra Bauknecht

An Exclusive Gastronomic Experience

Audemars Piguet-Sandra Bauknecht-Dinner Experience

Yesterday, I had a crazy afternoon, driving back from Como to Zurich where I had literally fifteen minutes to get changed. Then I jumped in the next limousine to go to Basel to attend an exclusive gastronomic experience hosted by Audemars Piguet during Art Basel.

Roca Brothers

The famous watch manufacturer had invited the Roca BrothersJoan (head chef), Josep (sommelier) and Jordi (in charge of the desserts), from Spain to prepare a very special dinner.

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Their famous restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia, Spain which opened in 1986 was first located next to their parent’s restaurant Can Roca, but moved to its current purpose built building in 2007. It holds three Michelin stars and has been named the best restaurant in the world by the magazine Restaurant in 2013, after having been ranked second in 2011 and 2012.

Audemars Piguet -Dinner Experience Art Basel

The cuisine served by the restaurant is traditional Catalan, but with an interesting twist. Personally speaking, I find their dishes based on perfumes, and with unusual presentations, the most captivating.

They have created menus based on fragrances such as Calvin Klein’s Eternity or Carolina Herrera. This has resulted in a perfume being released by the restaurant itself, called Nuvol de Ilimona, which we were able to smell last night during the first dessert served, a lemon distillation. Smelling and tasting the food at the same time is an orgastic explosion.

François-Henry Bennahmias - Sandra BauknechtCEO Audemars Piguet François-Henry Bennahmias with me last night

Audemars Piguet spoilt us last night with this feast for the senses! Thanks a lot for this amazing invitation! Below you can see the yummy menu…

LoL, Sandra

menu audemars piguetMenu Audemars Piguet Art Basel Roca Brothers

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Photo Roca Brothers: Nacho Alegre for WSJ. Magazine

Audemars Piguet and Andreas Caminada

Audemars

Recently, I was invited by Audemars Piguet to explore their beautiful novelties 2011 during an outstanding dinner at Schloss Schauenstein, spoilt by chef Andreas Caminada.The creative, often surprising and always satisfying cuisine of the charming young Swiss has won him 3 Michelin stars and 19 GaultMillau points. Believe me, it was a feast for the eyes, in both ways.

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In 2011, Audemars Piguet has entirely reviewed the fundamentals of the Jules Audemars collection, its moon-phase calendar and dual timezone models, as well as its simple selfwinding watches including those with a date display.

The Jules Audemars extra-thin watch houses one of the world’s thinnest selfwinding movements measuring just 2.45 mm thick. Its slender case, streamlined bezel and pure dial generate genuine emotion of the kind surrounding objects that are built to last, because this timepiece is endowed with that special something that is in fact the natural elegance of authentic classics.

15180BC.OO.A002CR.01_02_PR(CMYK)

JULES AUDEMARS EXTRA-THIN

Reference • 15180BC.OO.A002CR.01, CHF 23.600.-

Calibre2120_001_PR(CMYK)Movement • Proprietary ultra-thin, selfwinding Calibre 2120
• Total diameter: 28,40 mm (12 ¾ lignes)
• Casing diameter: 28 mm
• Thickness: 2.45 mm
• 37 jewels
• 214 parts
• Power reserve: up to 40 hours
• Cadence of the balance: 19,800 vibrations per hour (2.75 Hz)
• Finishing: all parts finished by hand; mainplate rhodium-plated, bevelled and circular-grained; bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève.

Case • 18-carat white gold
• Diameter: 41 mm
• Thickness: 6.7 m
• Water resistance: 20 m
• Sapphire crystal

Dial • Silvered with applied pink gold hour-markers
• Pink gold hour and minute hands

Strap • Hand-sewn black crocodile leather with large square scales, secured by an 18-carat white gold pin buckle

Functions • Hours and minutes

 

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The Jules Audemars selfwinding watch comes in three different interpretations: pink gold with silver-toned or black dial, and white gold with a silver-toned dial. Each may be adorned with a diamond-set bezel to create three additional versions. All feature a round case, a streamlined bezel and an understated dial. All display a discreetly self-effacing air that serves to highlight their sleek, slender lines.

15170OR.OO.A002CR.01_03_PR(CMYK)

My personal favourite is the one with the pink gold case and the black dial, preferably with a diamond-set bezel, a true authentic classy and elegant watch.

JULES AUDEMARS SELFWINDING

References
• 15170OR.OO.A002CR.01, CHF 18.600, 
18-carat pink gold case, black dial

• 15171OR.ZZ.A002CR.01, CHF 21.900 , 18-carat pink gold case, black dial, diamonds

15171OR.ZZ.A002CR.01_02_PR(CMYK)Movement • Proprietary selfwinding Calibre 3120
• Total diameter: 26.60 mm (11¾ lignes)
• Casing diameter: 26 mm
• Thickness: 4.26 mm
• 40 jewels
• 278 parts
• 22-carat gold oscillating weight
• Up to 60-hour power reserve
• Cadence of the balance: 21,600 vibrations per hour
• Variable-inertia balance with eight inertia-blocks and flat balance-spring
• Geneva-type mobile balance-spring stud-holder
• Three-position winding crown
• Finishing: all parts decorated; mainplate circular-grained; bridges rhodium-plated, bevelled, snailed and adorned with a Côtes de Genève. Diamond-polished jewel sinks; diamond-polished sinks and bevelled spokes on the wheels; bevelled screw rim and slot
• AP monogram and Audemars and Piguet family crests engraved on the oscillating weight

Cases • 18-carat pink gold, also available with a bezel set with 70 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.60 carats) or
• 18-carat white gold, also available with a bezel set with 70 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.60 carats)
• Diameter: 39 mm
• Thickness: 9 mm
• Water resistance: 20 m
• Sapphire crystal case-back

Dials
• Silver-toned or black with applied pink gold hour-markers
• Pink gold hour and minutes hands
Bracelets
• Hand-sewn brown or black crocodile leather with large square scales, secured by a pin buckle in 18-carat pink or white gold

Functions
• Hours and minutes
• Date

 

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In order to grasp the essence of the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph, you need to pick up the watch with your eyes closed and only open them after turning it over. Housed within a case that strongly hints at its innate sturdiness, protected by a sapphire crystal and a solid back secured by eight polished steel screws, a true masterpiece is revealed: the new selfwinding Calibre 2897, equipped with a tourbillon and a chronograph. A set of 335 parts on which the manually adjusted, corrected, bevelled and decorated surfaces create a shimmering play on light and shade. The automatic winding is ensured by a peripheral oscillating weight, while its chronograph is equipped with a column wheel and its tourbillon optimises its rating precision.
Its design is sophisticated and powerful, supported by a combination of iconic black-coloured materials: forged carbon for the case middle, ceramic for the bezel and rubber for the strap. A watch with two faces, the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph is an amazing blend of two worlds.

26550AU.OO.A002CA.01_02_PR(CMYK)

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SELFWINDING TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH

Reference • 26550AU.OO.A002CA.01, CHF 262.500
Forged carbon case; bezel, crown and pushpieces in black ceramics; pushpiece-guards and fastening studs in titanium

26550AU.OO.A002CA.01_04_PR(CMYK)Movement • Selfwinding Calibre 2897 with tourbillon and column-wheel chronograph
• Total diameter: (15½ lignes)
• Casing diameter: 31.40 mm
• Thickness: 7.75 mm
• 34 jewels
• 335 parts
• 65-hour power reserve
• Cadence of the balance: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz)
• Variable-inertia balance with screws and balance-spring with Phillips terminal curve
• Finishing: all parts finely hand decorated; bridges and mainplate rhodiumed, circular-grained, beadblasted and hand-drawn with file strokes; polished angles, bevelled screw rims and slots
• Peripheral oscillating weight in circular satin-brushed 950 platinum

Case • Diameter : 44 mm
• Thickness : 14 mm
• Sapphire crystal caseback with Royal Oak Offshore engraving

Dial • Black with exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif, silver-toned counters. Applied and facetted white gold hour-markers with luminescent coating. Black flange. White gold facetted hour and minute hands with luminescent coating.

Strap • Black rubber, adorned with two grooves. Titanium pin buckle.

Functions • Hours and minutes
• Small seconds at 9 o’clock
• Chronograph with central sweep-seconds hand, 30-minute counter (at 3 o’clock)
• Tachometric scale on the flange


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2011 marks a new milestone in the historic partnership between Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Audemars Piguet, one of the most unique relationships in the watch industry. These two legends have collaborated to create the ultimate collector timepiece, The Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy Chronograph, a perfect blend of strength and control. This is anticipated to be the last watch in the series created by Schwarzenegger and Audemars Piguet. I am pretty sure of that!

26378IO.OO.A001KE.01_03_PR(CMYK)

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER THE LEGACY CHRONOGRAPH

Reference • 26378IO.OO.A001KE.01
, CHF 44.500, 1500-piece limited edition

26378IO.OO.A001KE.01_02_PR(CMYK)Movement • Selfwinding Calibre 2326/2840
• Total diameter: 29.92 mm (13 ¼ lignes)
• Casing diameter: 26 mm
• Thickness: 6.2 mm
• 50 jewels
• 370 parts
• 38-hour power reserve
• Cadence of the balance: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
• Variable-inertia balance with inertia-blocks and flat balance-spring
• Three-position winding crown
• Finishing: all parts finely decorated; mainplate rhodium-plated, bevelled and circular-grained; bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève

Case • Black ceramic case, bezel; beadblasted titanium screws, beadblasted titanium elements on the left
• side of the case
• Pushpiece-guards in rubber and beadblasted titanium
• 18-carat pink gold pushpieces, contact surface adorned with gridwork pattern
• Black ceramic crown adorned with a pink gold disc
• Diameter: 48 mm
• Thickness: 14.1 mm
vBeadblasted titanium caseback engraved with the inscription Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy, steel screws
• Water resistance: 100 metres

Dial • Black with exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif
• Numerals and hour-markers in diamond-polished pink gold
• Facetted hour and minute hands with luminescent coating

Strap • Anthracite aramid fibres, secured by beadblasted titanium pin buckle. Additional strap in hand sewn black crocodile leather with large square scales

Functions • Hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• Chronograph with centre sweep-seconds hand, 30-minute and 12-hour counters at 9 and 6 o’clock respectively
• Tachometric scale
• Date

 

IMG_1895Famous chef Andreas Caminada and Audemars Piguet CEO Phillippe Merck with me in the middle.

A very big thank you to Audemars Piguet and Andreas Caminada for such a lovely and yummy presentation! An evening of two superlatives…

LoL, Sandra

SIHH 2011 Preview

Sihh

The 21st edition of the famous Salon International de la Haute Horlorgerie (SIHH) will be taking place from the 17th to the 21st of January, 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Today, I would like to give you an exclusive preview of some exciting watches that will be presented at the „invitation only“ event.

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Photo: Studio Dieleman @ Cartier 2010

One of my favourites is Cartier’s Tourbillon and crocodile Geneva Seal white gold watch, calibre 9458 MC. It is a very feminine Grande Complication model, a beautiful union of haute horlogerie and haute joiallerie, limited to 50 individually numbered pieces.
Cartier has inversed the movement to show the mechanism and its skeletonised bridges, which now form part of the decor. Reminiscent of the Le Animalier Collection and the Pasha but significant with variation, a diamond crocodile carefully guards the time. The heartbeats are driven by the oscillations of a unique flying tourbillon: the calibre 9458 MC, adorned with the Geneva Seal.

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Photo: Laziz Hamani @ Cartier 2010

A very masculine looking and impressive timepiece is the new Calibre de Cartier Astrotourbillon watch, Calibre 9451 MC.
The Astrotourbillon movement, which was introduced last year after five years of development in the Manufacture, now powers the Calibre de Cartier watch, limited to 100 numbered pieces. The 47mm titanium case on black alligator strap make it a disctinctive choice.

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Calibre de Cartier Astrotourbillon watch, Laziz Hamani @ Cartier 2010

 

Panerai Luminor Composite PAM 386

Panerai Luminor Composite PAM 386


Panerai Radiomir Composite PAM 339, the bestseller of 2010

Panerai Radiomir Composite PAM 339, the bestseller of 2010


As I am a big fan of Panerai watches anyway, it is no wonder that the new Panerai Luminor Composite PAM 386, that will be officially unveiled in Geneva, has caught my eye immediately.

Reminiscent of the Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Militare PAM 339 which was introduced exactly one year ago and powered by a 8-day manual wind, the new model comes equipped with an automatic P.9000 caliber.

The timepiece has a scratch-resistant 44mm ceramic case and might be limited to 1000 pieces which is still to be confirmed.

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Van Cleef & Arpel Five Weeks In a Balloon

Van Cleef & Arpels’ new piece Five Weeks In a Balloon will be surely amongst the star attractions at the upcoming SIHH 2011 – inspired by the world famous fiction author Jules Verne and his Extraordinary Voyages novel of the same name.
The dial of the watch is decorated with chamlevé enamel and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, the case is made of white gold. The scene depicts a balloon rising into the air of Zanzibar. The hours and minutes are displayed by the balloon’s anchor and a flying bird. Why not dream a little dream with this beautiful novel model?

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Jaeger-Le-Coultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 in pink gold

Jaeger-Le-Coultre launched the iconic Reverso model to meet the English polo players’ need for an unbreakable watch in 1931. Another reason for its immediate success was the possibility to personalize it by engraving the initials or family crest. Almost 80 years later, the line will be supplemented with two limited editions, named Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931.

Being a beautiful bridge between past and present, the watch demonstrates all the Art Deco glamour of the original style interpreted in today’s language. The square-shape case is available in steel or pink gold and measures only 7.2mm in thickness to demonstrate its ultra-thinness. Inside is a just 2.94mm thick manufactory-made mechanical hand-wound movement, calibre 822. It is a very understated piece, only having the name Reverso written on the dial. Timeless elegance!

Jaeger-Le-Coultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 in steel

Jaeger-Le-Coultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 in steel


Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater

Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater

Audemars Piguet’s newest addition is a feast for your eyes. The Millenary Minute Repeater watch (Reference 26371TI) comes wih a 47mm x 42mm titanium case, an anthracite grey dial, applied pink gold numerals, a minute repeater slide activator (at 7 o’ clock) and a black croc leather strap.
The best of the watch lays inside, the manual wind AP caliber 2910 movement (flat double balance-spring, 165 hour power reserve from 2 barrels, third barrel powering the minute repeater, 21 600 vph (3hz) frequency and 443 parts in total).

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Baume & Mercier Jumping Hour watch

Baume & Mercier Jumping Hour watch

The Baume & Mercier Jumping Hour watch will be available in fall 2011 and will be limited to 500 numbered pieces. Here are some details: 42mm steel case, automatic mechanical Dubois Depraz 14400 movement, black alligator strap with a not so common jumping hour complication.


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The upcoming timepiece is very similiar to this year’s rose gold Baume & Mercier William Baume Jumping Hour watch (Ref M0A08857) that was limited to 40 pieces (see below).

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Baume & Mercier William Baume Jumping Hour watch, fall 2010

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Girard Perregaux 1966 Small Seconds

Girard Perregaux 1966 Small Seconds


girard-perregaux-caliber-3300The casual observer can appreciate the classic elegance of the new Girard Perregeaux 1966 Small Seconds. A 40mm white or rose gold case with a white enamel dial and a beautifil alligator strap. The technically inclined may adore its new movement, the Girard Perregeaux automatic Caliber 3300.

I hope that you have enjoyed this preview. I cannot wait to go to Geneva and see all those watches in real life. Which one is your favourite?

LoL, Sandra