Vacheron Constantin Opens New Boutique at South Coast Plaza in Orange County
Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest Haute Horlogerie manufacturer with more than 250 years of uninterrupted history, announces the opening of its newest boutique at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, California.
South Coast Plaza offers an unparalleled luxury shopping experience, in keeping with Vacheron Constantin’s high level of sophistication and commitment to exceptional customer service. The exclusive new boutique is the brand’s third in the United States, with others open in New York City (September 2011) and Las Vegas (August 2012), and marks the brand’s 32nd boutique worldwide.
The new boutique welcomes watch collectors and enthusiasts to view its fine timepieces in more than 750 square feet of floor space. The boutique is rich in elegant architectural and decorative details, which incorporate contemporary elements into the traditional design that reveals the brand’s constant search for excellence and aesthetic perfection. A custom-made Murano crystal chandelier graces the center of the boutique, and is complimented by sleek showcases and walls finished in fine Venetian plaster. The Venetian glass decorations create an environment of refined elegance and invite customers to appreciate the culture, history, and tradition of excellence that defines Vacheron Constantin.
Known for its technical and aesthetic excellence, and the high level of finishing of its timepieces, Vacheron Constantin displays a very sophisticated level of refinement as well as a strong attachment to its heritage, the transmission of know-how and high quality craftsmanship. The boutique will offer the entire range of collections from the Geneva-based manufacture, as well as exclusive boutique models including the new Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis collection. The boutique will offer the Ateliers Cabinotiers service, a highly exclusive service which allows the client to entirely customize his or her timepiece through a collaboration with the Maison. An attentive after-sales service is also offered.
“We are delighted to open our third U.S. boutique at South Coast Plaza,” said Hugues de Pins, president of Vacheron Constantin North America. “We are very proud that our first California boutique is situated within the Orange County community, marking an important step in the brand’s expansion in America. This new boutique will provide an exceptional experience that will enhance customer understanding of the brand, its heritage, and its commitment to excellence in high watchmaking.”
In keeping with the brand’s strong commitment to supporting Arts and Culture around the world, Vacheron Constantin has committed to supporting the Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ 2012-2013 Season as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 Candlelight Gala. The annual event, which supports the Center and its programs, took place on Friday, December 7th.
Lawrence M. Higby, chairman of the Center, said, “We are very honored that Vacheron Constantin selected Segerstrom Center for its first philanthropic partnership in Orange County. I know that commitment to community and to supporting the arts, in particular, is part of the Vacheron Constantin heritage and tradition. We applaud them for this and welcome them to our Center family.
New watches: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Collection
Richard Mille Opens Boutique in Singapore
The new Richard Mille Singapore boutique was inaugurated on December 14th in the prestigious setting of the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Orchard Road, one of the great bastions of luxury in the Garden City.
The Singapore boutique is one of the brand’s largest showrooms covering 200 square meters featuring a new showroom concept enhanced by very subtle lighting. All forthcoming boutiques of the brand will be inspired by this new design concept encapsulating a unique and enlightened atmosphere.
A range of new areas, including a “watchmakers workshop” and a lounge bar, also characterise this boutique. The bar’s warm and friendly atmosphere encourages visitors to spend some time in this temple devoted to very fine watchmaking.
At the heart of the boutique, 24 display cases present and showcase the collection’s most exceptional creations. Curved display cases fixed to an all-glass facade recall the tonneau shape of Richard Mille timepieces and enable collectors and enthusiasts to admire these watches from all angles. Two distinctive sculptures – one located on the outer facade and the other on the inner facade – represent the spectacular mechanisms used in Richard Mille watches.
The inauguration of the boutique began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of Richard Mille and Dave Tan, CEO of Richard Mille Asia, joined by a prestigious brand partner and friend, Michelle Yeoh, who wished to be at Richard Mille’s side for this momentous occasion. After the ceremony, the new boutique was unveiled in spectacular fashion, and the 300 guests enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to discover the new RM universe. To welcome the guests, the evening’s waiting staff were dressed in various sporting outfits (tennis, golf, motorsports, etc.) typically worn by some of the brand’s partners, providing a glimpse of the world Richard Mille is truly passionate about!
After the cocktail reception, the evening continued in one of the Grand Hyatt Singapore’s luxury Salons, renamed the “RM Club” for the occasion. A fabulous programme was concocted and music took centre stage, with a performance from the famous DJ ed (Leo Lanvin) to start the show, followed by the South Korean girl group MISS A, who gave guests an exceptional concert to round off an exceptional evening.
Audemars Piguet Appoints New CEO
The Board of Directors of the Audemars Piguet Group is pleased to announce the nomination of Mr. François-Henry Bennahmias as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the whole group.
General manager ad-interim since the end of May 2012, Mr. Bennahmias, 48 years of age, has demonstrated the same commitment and dynamism as CEO of Audemars Piguet (North America), Inc., in New York since 1999.
Backed by the Board’s full approval, we wish him every success in this new step of his career that started with AP in 1996 while also taking the opportunity to thank in advance the entire staff for their continuing support.
Breguet Launches Global Exhibit
From January 21st to February 24th 2013, Breguet will be hosting an exhibit at Geneva’s Cité du Temps to celebrate one of the most striking inventions in watchmaking history: the tourbillon.
Through a didactic and interactive exhibition entitled “Breguet, the innovator. Inventor of the Tourbillon”, the House pays tribute to the discovery that undoubtedly symbolizes its founder’s genius.
An event will be held on Wednesday January 23rd 2013, in the presence of Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO, Montres Breguet. After Geneva, this exhibition will tour other European cities, then traveling across Asia, the Middle East and the United States.
On June 26th 1801 (or rather on 7 Messidor Year 9, since the Republic calendar was still in force at the time) the French Minister of the Interior awarded Abraham-Louis Breguet a patent for the invention of the tourbillon. This new type of regulator was developed in response to a longstanding problem: the detrimental effects with which gravity effects on the regularity of a movement by generating variations in rate. Breguet understood that in order to reduce such errors, he would need to install the entire escapement within a mobile carriage that would perform a complete rotation, generally in one, four or six minutes. The regular repetition of the variations would allow them to compensate for each other.
This supremely ingenious invention turned out to be exceedingly difficult to produce, and of all Breguet’s brilliant ideas, this was undoubtedly the toughest to implement. One of the reasons behind this daunting task relates to the weight of the tourbillon, which must be sufficiently light at no more than one gram, and yet also robust, so as to avoid inducing rating errors rather than eliminating them. This inherent difficulty was compounded by that of finishing the over 70 tiny parts that must fit and mesh together with absolute precision. Making a tourbillon was not within reach of all watchmakers, and only the finest proved capable of producing one after the 10-year patent had expired.
Building on its unique heritage, the House of Breguet constantly develops new tourbillons that now form an extensive Grandes Complications collection. The exhibition “Breguet the Innovator. Inventor of the Tourbillon” is an invitation to discover these contemporary masterpieces, while celebrating the tourbillons of the past. Visitors are immersed into a dedicated area where the secrets of this prodigious invention are revealed to them.
Graham is the Official Timing Partner of the LA Kings Ice Hockey Team
Graham is off to a speedy start in 2013 as the Official Timing Partner of the Los Angeles Kings, winners of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Championship.
The Kings headed into the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs in 8th place in the Western Conference, and fought their way to the top, playing their final winning game on their home ice, for their first championship win. To celebrate this sought-after achievement and honor their hard work, Graham has developed a limited edition timepiece.
The Graham Chronofighter Oversize LA Kings is highlighted with the LA Kings iconic team colors of silver, black and white. The start and stop lever on the left of the case, a renowned Graham signature, is made of the same plain carbon material as carbon fiber NHL hockey sticks. It results from a very specific Swiss-made machining process. This means that the lever is a unique piece of carbon which provides the watch with more stiffness and enhanced usability.
Source: The Luxury Watch Blog
Corum Enters The Brazilian Market
Antonio Calce, Corum CEO and Partner said “Latin America is an important market for the watchmaking industry and for the development of our Brand. Thanks to our partnership with Grifith Jeweller, we will strengthen our presence in the Brazilian market. Today Brazil not only plays an important role in the South American market, but also acts as a catalyst in the rest of the world, which means it is essential to develop visibility on this market. This is the beginning of a trustworthy longterm partnership.”
To mark its new deployment and to commemorate its re-launch on the Brazilian market, Corum watches presented a model that will definitely please brand aficionados: Limited Edition Admiral’s Cup Seafender 48 Tides Iate Clube de Santos.
“It’s a tribute to the 65th anniversary of the Iate Clube de Santos, one of the most important nautical institutions in Brazil, and to this end Corum chose one of its most emblematic models, the Admiral’s Cup 48 Tides”, explains Cedric Doffey, Director for Corum Latin America.
Launched for the first time in 1993, the Admiral’s Cup 48 Tides is considered a huge innovation in the watchmaking industry and is still a benchmark in the world of high-end timepieces. More than just a watch, the Admiral’s Cup 48 Tides is an essential navigation instrument. It provides important nautical information such as the strength of the tide, an estimation of the water levels, the strength of the currents and the time of the tide. It is equipped with Caliber CO277 providing a 42-hour power reserve along with Corum’s exclusive tides module, certified by the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of French National Marina and ensuring full indications of the height of successive tides. The model is presented in two versions: a sporty titanium edition water-resistant to 300 meters, and a more urban model in 5N 18K red gold which is water-resistant to 50 meters.
The Limited Edition consists of 65 pieces and comes in two different models: one in titanium which features blue and yellow details – in reference to the colors of the Iate Clube de Santos – and the second in pink gold.
Romain Dumas joins Richard Mille’s racing team
Romain Dumas is an enthusiast for fine watchmaking and Richard Mille watches, and while racing he will be wearing a titanium RM 011 FM, an exceptional creation designed specifically for motor sports. It was with this watch on his wrist that the French driver, winner of the Le Mans 24 hour race and of countless prestigious races around the world, set off on Sunday 12th August to tackle the legendary hillclimb up Pike’s Peak, Colorado’s highest mountain. Romain Dumas took to the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3-R to compete in the 90th ‘race to the clouds’. The track is nearly 20 km long, and with 156 turns, terrifying ravines and a finish line at 4,300 meters, it gave Romain Dumas the chance to demonstrate the full range of his talent. After setting the fastest time on the first day of the trials, the French driver, who was taking part for the first time in this celebrated and unique event, finished in second place, a mere 17 thousandths of a second behind Rhys Millen. A very close finish and a fine achievement for Romain Dumas.
Like golf, polo or tennis, motor sport demands physical performance and stamina. In its ongoing quest for new testing grounds, Richard Mille invested in this sport to take up continually renewed technical challenges in order to test its watches’ capacity for endurance, performance and of course comfort under the stresses of racing, as well as to present solutions never before seen in the sector of extreme haute horlogerie.
Romain Dumas: a few key dates
Romain Dumas was born on 14 December 1977 and began his career in kart racing at the age of 15, achieving several wins. A few years later, he won the Volant ELF ACO at Le Mans, and became French Formula 3 champion in 1998. In 2007, he won the 24 hours on the Nürburgring and took 3rd place in the 24 hours at Le Mans. He few months later, he won the ALMS championship in the United States, with 21 wins out of 39 races. In 2010, he won the 24-hours at Le Mans behind the wheel of an Audi R15, and in 2011 he was at the top of the podium again at the 24-hours on the Nürburgring. Romain Dumas is also a keen rally driver, and since 2010, he has taken part in various races in the French Championship. In August 2012, Romain Dumas competed for the first time in the renowned American Pike’s Peak hillclimb, finishing second, a mere 17 thousands of a second behind Rhys Millen.
Breitling – Navitimer Blue Sky Limited Edition 60th anniversary
In 1952, Breitling – already a firm fixture among aeronautical professionals – decided to create a new “wrist instrument” specifically designed with aviators in mind. The result was the Navitimer with its famous circular slide rule providing simple and fast handling of all calculations relating to airborne navigation: an authentic wristworn instrument panel. In an era preceding the advent of electronic calculators, this model unique in its kind was soon adopted by many pilots for flight preparation and monitoring – whether it came to calculating average speed, distance covered, fuel consumption or rates of ascent and descent. The only authentic aviation chronograph in widespread use, it was naturally chosen as the official watch by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the largest of its kind in the world and of which the logo often appears on models from the 1950s and 1960s. The Navitimer features a functional design and a highly original technical yet elegant look that is recognizable at first glance. It thus established itself as one of the ten great 20th century watchmaking classics, a timeless benchmark in its field and a reliable value. Continuously made since 1952, while remaining loyal to the aesthetic of the original, it is the world’s oldest mechanical chronograph still in production.
A handsomely stylish limited edition
To celebrate its 60 years in flight, the favorite watch among aviation enthusiasts is now available in a 500-piece steel limited edition with a magnificent blue dial, a silver inner bezel and a red central chronograph seconds hand. A handsomely stylish new face for the most emblematic Breitling model. A transparent caseback affords a chance to admire Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, the best selfwinding chronograph movement. The series number is engraved on the case middle at 9 o’clock, and the color match is reinforced by an exclusive dark blue crocodile leather strap. The Navitimer Blue Sky Limited Edition 60th anniversary is also available on the Navitimer bracelet – or the highly original perforated Air Racer bracelet. Navitimer: the legend lives on.
Movement: Breitling Caliber 01, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 47 jewels. Over 70-hour power reserve. 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar. Case: Steel, 500-piece limited series. Water-resistant to 3 bars. Bidirectional rotating bezel with a circular slide rule. Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Diameter: 43 mm. Dial: Aurora blue, blue totalizers. Strap/bracelets: Dark blue crocodile leather/perforated Air Racer or Navitimer. More Breitling watches at theluxurywatchblog.com
Partnership agreed between the National History Museum, Chapultepec Castle, and Vacheron Constantin
The representatives from both sides thanked guests for attending the event, and shared their enthusiasm about the joint project, which involves the diagnostic and restoration of the watch collection belonging to the Chapultepec Castle. The high point of the night was the announcement of Mr. Marchenoir, where he confirmed that watch manufacturer would bedonating a historical Vacheron Constantin piece to be added to the Chapultepec Castle’s collection. This donation is a seal of a long-term commitment which will no doubt leave a legacy to future generations.
Guests were treated to the presentation of two Vacheron Constantin craftsmen, showcasing the Métiers d’Art arts of engraving and gemsetting. Timepieces from Vacheron Constantin’s Metiers d’Art, Patrimony and Malte collections were on display for guests to admire.
Guests enjoyed a champagne cocktail and gala dinner hosted by the Geneva-based manufacturer while listening to a wonderful quartet of violins by the prestigious Symphony Orchestra of Mexico City.
Hublot and D.Wade
Mardi 14 Aout a été le jour de sa visite des ateliers de la Manufacture Hublot à Nyon, insistant pour rencontrer tous les horlogers et les collaborateurs de l’entreprise, ne manquant pas de poser de nombreuses questions afin de mieux comprendre comment sa montre – la série spéciale King Power Dwyane Wade en céramique – est fabriquée et fonctionne.
J’ai partagé un super moment avec toute l’équipe Hublot et j’ai été réellement impressionné par la précision, le soin et le travail incroyablement minutieux des horlogers pour fabriquer les montres. De plus, c’est un honneur pour moi de faire partie de la liste très sélecte des ambassadeurs de la marque qui regroupe quelques-uns des meilleurs sportifs du monde parmi lesquels Usain Bolt bien sûr ! Et quel bonheur de découvrir pour la première fois la Suisse magnifique avec ses sommets enneigés et ses lacs !» a déclaré Dwyane Wade.
Nous sommes impressionnés par l’énergie et le dynamisme que Dwyane dégage. Cela est vrai non seulement sur le terrain avec une présence incroyable, mais aussi dans son attitude avec la création de la Wade’s World Foundation et les objectifs qu’il nourrit pour promouvoir l’éducation, la santé et les compétences sociales auprès des enfants en situation particulièrement difficile. La vraie personnalité d’une personne douée d’un certain talent est révélée lorsque celle-ci va plus loin que ce qu’elle peut accomplir grâce à son seul talent. Nous sommes particulièrement heureux que nos chemins se soient croisés, c’est un honneur de faire équipe avec lui», a ajouté Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman et Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO de Hublot.
Dwyane Wade réunit à lui seul le talent, la force et le style qui créent cette magie sur le terrain, l’enveloppe physique devient alors une forme indistincte qui se déplace avec vitesse et fluidité, ne manquant jamais d’impressionner les grands amateurs de basket. Ses exploits en NBA sont déjà légendaires et son rôle majeur en tant que Capitaine du Miami Heat ne représente qu’une des facettes de sa carrière éblouissante. Dwyane Wade a rejoint ainsi le cercle très fermé des ambassadeurs Hublot, tous de véritables légendes vivantes dans leurs disciplines respectives: Usain Bolt qui a confirmé être l’homme le plus rapide du monde, Diego Maradona, Manchester United, Bayern de Munich, Juventus de Turin, Ajax d’Amsterdam en football, Jet Li dans les arts martiaux et le cinéma, la famille d’Ayrton Senna en Formule 1… pour ne citer que ces derniers.
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