Wednesday, October 22, 2014

GIRARD-PERREGAUX – Cat’s Eye Anniversary ‘Protect What Is Precious’




















GIRARD-PERREGAUXCat’s Eye ‘Protect What Is Precious’
10th Anniversary NEW

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Girard-Perregaux and Susan & David Rockefeller “Protect What Is Precious” in Shanghai

Shanghai (October 21st, 2014)

Last night philanthropists Susan and David Rockefeller, together with Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, Girard-Perregaux and auction house Christie's, presented a special premiere screening of “Food for Thought, Food for Life”, the latest documentary by Susan Rockefeller, at the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai. The movie focuses on the development of healthier and sustainable food sources and the future of ecological and agricultural environments, underscoring the Rockefellers’ advocacy work under their personal motto of ‘Protect What Is Precious’.

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A roundtable discussion about “Food, Environment and Culture” followed the screening, and included the Rockfellers, Dai Jianjun, creator of the Dragon Well Manor restaurant and organic food pioineer, and Ma Jun, founder of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, a leading figure in environmental protection in China. The discussion focused on increasing people’s awareness about sustainable food practices and advocacy for a healthier planet and future.

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Inspiring dialogue and collaboration around sustainable business practices is a shared responsibility. Susan & David Rockefeller, Girard-Perregaux and Christie’s together share the belief that their joint event and subsequent collaborations are important steps toward a more healthy, sustainable future for all. "We should especially respect all living things and the soil and sea that support human life”, said Suan Rockfeller. “It is my life-long purpose to protect our planet, a place which defines the real meaning of wealth. I am very pleased to be partnering with Girard-Perregaux, a company which shares my values around sustainablity and combining creativity and tradition to create a better new world."

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In line with the event and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the brand’s iconic ladies’ collection, The Cat’s Eye, Girard-Perregaux has created a ‘Protect What Is Precious’ special edition timepiece, designed in collaboration with Susan Rockefeller.

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The timepiece features 73 tsavorites on the white hand-polished mother-of-pearl dial ranging from bright to pastel green, representing the “green ideals and values” that Girard-Perregaux and the Rockefellers jointly share. Designed for women who appreciate the preciousness of time, the beauty of nature and need to protect our planet, this special edition watch is engraved with the motto “Protect What Is Precious” to raise environmental awareness.

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Technical Specifications

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Anniversary ‘Protect What Is Precious’

Case in pink gold
Dimensions: 35.44 x 30.44 mm
Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire
Dial: white or grey mother-of-pearl
Case-back: sapphire crystal, secured by 4 screws
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)

Setting
Bezel: 62 brilliant-cut diamonds, ~ 0.80 ct
Dial: 73 tsavorites-cut diamonds.

Girard-Perregaux movement GP03300-0101
Mechanical, self-winding movement
Diameter: 25.60  mm (11½’’’ )
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h - (4 Hz)
Power reserve: min. 46 hours
Jewels: 27
Functions: hour, minute
  • Black alligator leather strap
Pink gold folding clasp
Reference: 80489D53A6003-CKHA (white mother-of-pearl)
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About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2014 that totaled £2.69 / $4.47 billion, making it the highest half year total in Christie’s history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers around 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales in the first half of 2014 totalled £498.9 million ($828.2 million). Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.


About David Rockefeller. Jr.
David Rockefeller, Jr. is the Chair of the Rockefeller Foundation and is an active participant in the nonprofit arena, especially in the areas of philanthropy, environment, the arts, and public education. He is the Chair and Founder of Sailors for the Sea, an environmental organization created to educate and motivate the global boating community about significant challenges to ocean health. Mr. Rockefeller is a Trustee of the Asian Cultural Council and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His former foundation affiliations include service as Trustee and Chairman of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, President of the Rockefeller Family Fund and Trustee of the National Park Foundation, the Alaska Conservation Foundation and the Boston Foundation. He is the former Chair and currently a Director at Rockefeller & Company. Mr. Rockefeller is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.


About Susan Rockefeller
Susan Rockefeller is board member of Stone Barns Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and also a principal of Susan Rockefeller, Co., a company that creates documentaries and inspires fashion accessories to elevate awareness about protecting what is precious to her: family, art and nature. Susan’s jewelry and accessories can be found at London Jewelers, Bernie Robbins, Takashimaya and on the company’s website. Her films have explored a range of contemporary issues, often using both real life heroes and those of myths to confront issues such as ocean acidification and the future of ocean health, PTSD and the use of music to heal, the confluence of race, poverty and illness, global food sustainability. Her films have aired on HBO, PBS, and the Discovery Channel. Susan sits on the boards of Oceana, We Are Family Foundation and is a member of Natural Resources Defense Council Global Leadership Council. She received her undergraduate degree from Hampshire College and her master’s degree from NYU

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MONTBLANC – Metamorphosis II Chronograph


MONTBLANCVilleret 1858 Metamorphosis II Chronograph NEW

The Transforming Alchemy of Innovation and Tradition

Montblanc's unveiling of the new Metamorphosis II at Watches & Wonders turns the spotlight on one of the most complex movements ever developed and designed in Montblanc’s manufacture workshops in Villeret, revealing the timepiece in a completely new aesthetic.

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The most striking feature of this new Montblanc timepiece is its "metamorphosis" concept which is driven by a highly complex mechanical movement with 746 components and protected by various patents that took over 4 years in development. It was at SIHH 2010 when Montblanc first introduced connoisseurs to the astounding concept of overlaid dials, which open majestically like a theatre curtain. The aim of this unique complication is to offer a spectacular change of design and function of the timepiece from classic time to chronograph and back using the same movement. A bold, creative and innovative way to combine the characteristics of traditional fine watchmaking with revolutionary principles of innovation.

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Metamorphosis II is the first timepiece to perform such a capacity for transformation. To master this challenge, the Montblanc master watchmakers took the 156 years of expertise as a chronograph specialist of the Montblanc manufacture in Villeret - the former manufacture Minerva - and borrowed traditional methods from the art of automaton manufacture, an age-old artisanal craft long practised alongside fine watchmaking in the Swiss Jura mountains.

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Crafted entirely by hand, Metamorphosis II represents the perfect symbiosis of tradition and innovation, and will rightfully claim its place among the grand complications in the world of fine watchmaking. A skilful alchemy between classical, timeless beauty and sporty elegance, the new aesthetic of the Metamorphosis II enables Montblanc to open up a new chapter in the history of horological design.

A Timepiece with Two Faces

The functioning principle of the Metamorphosis II is as simple to explain as it is difficult to create : In the classic position, the timepiece displays the classical face of time showing the hours, minutes and date. A slide on the left side of the case is used to transform this elegant, classic indication, by revealing a new face. Additionally, the control device initiates a highly sophisticated mechanical process that transforms the dial with the classical time indication into a chronograph and new function.

The Metamorphosis of Watchmaking

The concept of the Montblanc Metamorphosis II is inspired by the opening of a theatre curtain to reveal a stage. Its innovative principle forges a unique link between the movement components and the dial functions to create a new ensemble.
During the metamorphosis, which is controlled by the sliding bolt situated between "10 o'clock" and "8 o'clock" on the middle case, two wings fold in on themselves inside the lower part of the dial, gradually disappearing on each side. They unveil a chronograph counter disc for counting down the minutes, which rises gradually like a lifting ramp inside the movement until it "absorbs" the hand that indicates the date, thanks to a subtly defined opening. Similar transformation is performed in parallel in the upper part of the dial. Two wings also move apart on the left and right sides, causing the classic time display with Roman numerals to disappear. They reveal a new dial in a new design with Arabic numerals and index, ensuring optimal readability of the chronograph face.
This process is reversible, and the opposite movement is initiated when the control device is actuated again: the sliding wings at the top and bottom of the dial are re-deployed, concealing the chronograph counter, which is once more lowered out of sight inside the movement, and bringing the timepiece 's classic, elegant face back to the fore.

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One of the most innovative, technical characteristics of the Metamorphosis II is its ability to permanently retain all of its functions irrespective of the chosen face. The chronograph and date functions remain active independently of the watch face. Hence, when the timepiece is in classic mode and the chronograph is actuated, the chronograph minute counter continues to run. When the chronograph face is revealed again, the elapsed time is indicated instantly.

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The same happens for the date: even if the chronograph mode has been active for several days, the date continues to run in the background, and is displayed again with complete accuracy when the watch returns to the classic mode.It only takes around five seconds to switch from one face to the other. During this time, numerous components of the timepiece – the wheels, cams, pinions – begin a perfectly choreographed mechanical dance, driven by a separate barrel and precisely controlled by a force regulator. A total of 82 moving components, all of them meticulously crafted by hand, are involved in this extraordinary watchmaking metamorphoses.

The Time for Classic Elegance

In its classic position, the Montblanc Metamorphosis II displays all the understated elements of elegance of a fine watchmaking timepiece in the most traditional sense. While the red gold case is perfectly round, the display itself is classical yet highly original. The time indication uses the regulator principle with separated hands and scales for the hours and minutes. The hours are indicated by a single hand which moves around a subdial with Roman numerals at "12 o'clock".The minutes display is even more technically complex, with its large central hand tracing a 210 degree retrograde arc between "8 o'clock" and "4 o'clock". Once it reaches the "60" graduation on the right of the dial, the hand instantly returns to the "0" position and traces its path afresh. Finally, a small hand very clearly indicates the date on an additional dial graduated from 1 to 31 at "6 o'clock".

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The hour, minute and date hands show the time on a particularly refined and sophisticated 18K solid gold dial, which features a variety of different artisanal finishes and decorations requiring a very unique know-how of traditional watchmaking craftsmanship. The inner part of each side of the dial is decorated with hand-crafted silvered "Grain d’orge" (barleycorn) guilloché. The lower section adorns a sapphire bridge while the outer part of the dial features an artisanal circular-brushed satin finish as well as the hour counter at "12 o'clock". Finally, the minute track is decorated, with a hand-crafted raised brim index in 18 K red gold and cabochon index.
This decorative work, carried out with the greatest respect for tradition by master craftsmen, illustrates the importance that Montblanc attributes to both the internal and external beauty of its timepieces. In this configuration, the refined elegance of the Metamorphosis II harks back to the golden age of watchmaking.

The Ultimate Chronograph


It takes just five seconds for the Metamorphosis II to undergo the transformation from classic time to a sporty, elegant chronograph face . Thus transfigured, a unique character emerges, poised for action and configured for the measurement of short intervals of time.

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The emerging dial, which displays dynamic Arabic numerals, features a hand-crafted black-coloured "Clous de Paris" guilloché decoration at 12 o’clock for the indication of the hours, beautifully contrasting with the silvered spiral guilloché and circular-brushed satin finish of the centre part of the dial. These different artisanal finishes reinforce the timepiece's readability, infusing it with a precious dynamism.
While the retrograde minute hand retains its original function, the central seconds hand changes its function to serve as the chronograph second hand.The chronograph minutes counter in black rises from inside the movement to the level of the dial and is actuated by pressing the pusher integrated in the crown.With its monopusher column wheel chronograph mechanism, horizontal clutch and large balance wheel with Phillips terminal curve, operating at a traditional frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillation per hour, Montblanc pays tribute to the legacy of the legendary Minerva chronographs, produced since 1858 in the Villeret manufacture. Once the brief time intervals have been measured, the slide can simply be slid across to return the Metamorphosis II to its original configuration featuring its classic face.

Over 156 Years of Watchmaking History

It is thanks to the expertise nurtured over 156 years in the Swiss watch manufactures in Le Locle and Villeret that Montblanc was able to bring its ambitious vision of the Metamorphosis II to reality. All of the watchmaking disciplines and traditional craftsmanship mastered to perfection in the Maison’s workshops have been used for the development of this extraordinary timepiece. Combining a strong respect for tradition and a quest for revolutionary innovation, the Metamorphosis II underlines Montblanc's positioning at the very heart of fine Swiss watchmaking.

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Incorporating a total of 746 components made from precious materials and decorated entirely by hand - 494 of which are dedicated exclusively to the metamorphosis function - this extraordinary new timepiece is the subject of numerous patents and ranks among the most complex of contemporary watches. In the spirit of all the timepieces of the prestigious Collection Montblanc Villeret 1858, the new Metamorphosis II remains faithful to its dedication to perfection in terms of traditional artisanal craftsmanship and innovative construction, aesthetic refinement and reliability.
This truly exceptional timepiece will be produced in a very limited edition of eighteen pieces, offering a unique interpretation of the metamorphosis of time.




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TECHINCAL SPECIFICATIONS


Ident. 112442

Movement: MB M 67.40
Type of movement: 
Hand-wound mechanical movement.
With mechanical transformation of the time indication function to the chronograph function
Chronograph: Monopusher chronograph with horizontal clutch and column wheel
Dimensions: 16 lines (38.40 mm); height =12.45 mm
Number of components: 746 (494 for the metamorphosis)
Number of jewels: 85
Power reserve: Approximately 50 hours
Balance: Screw balance
Frequency: 18'000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz)
Hairspring: With Phillips terminal curve
Main plate: Rhodium-plated nickel silver with circular graining on both sides
Bridges: Rhodium-plated nickel silver with Côtes de Genève
Going-train: Gold-plated, faceted arms, diamond polished surfaces
Classical indications:
Hour counter at "12 o'clock"
Retrograde minute hand
Central seconds
Date indicator at "6 o'clock"
Chronograph function indications:
Central chronograph seconds
30 minute rotating disc counter at "6 o'clock
Features
Case:
18K red gold (5N)
Dimensions: diameter = 52 mm, height = 15.8 mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: 18K red gold (5N) with sapphire crystal
Watertightness: 3 bar
Dial:  
Gold decorated with various hand-crafted finishes depending on the face ("Grain d’orge" guilloché, "Clous de Paris" guilloché, spiral guilloché, circular satin finish, minute track with raised edge in 18 K red goldand cabochon index); sapphire bridge; hour circle with black Roman numerals for the classic face and black Arabic numerals for the chronograph face
Crown: 18 K red gold (5N) with mother-of-pearl Montblanc emblem
Pushers:
Sliding mechanism on the case’s flank at "10 o'clock" to start the transformation,
date corrector at "4 o'clock", chronograph pusher integrated in the crown
Hands: 
Hour and minute hands in 18 K red gold (5N),
date hand in nickel silver,
chronograph hands in Pfinodal
Strap:  
Hand-sewn black alligator-leather strap with triple folding clasp made of 18 K red gold (5N)

Limitation: 18 timepieces

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