The new Riviera magnum sports watches
Baume Mercier Riviera
Baume & Mercier is enriching its Riviera magnum sports watch collection with two substantial new models: a limited-edition all black chronograph with flyback function and transparent dial, and an athletic three-pointer and date display model. Both are made in a new XXL size measuring 45 mm in diameter.
In addition to their more generous size, these two new launches enrich the Riviera magnum line with several advanced design features: new hollowed hands, a case redesigned with one side shaped like a car radiator grille, a new rubber strap with pure lines, secured by an adjustable triple folding clasp and a larger crown.
Yet, the new Riviera magnum XXL watches retain the sporting, sophisticated attributes of the legendary Riviera line: the twelve-sided bezel characterizing the Riviera line, solidly secured to the case by four black PVD-coated screws, guaranteed water resistance to 200 meters thanks to the case construction with its screw-down back and crown, scratch-resistant glareproofed sapphire crystals to ensure optimal sturdiness and readability.
Audemars Piguet and the Gstaad Classic
The Watches Manufacture Audemars Piguet, which is regularly involved in a number of historical car rallies, becomes title partner of the Gstaad Classic and marks the occasion by presenting a Royal Oak Offshore “Gstaad Classic 2009” limited series.
In cooperation with an experienced organising committee, DSL Organisation, Peter Auto and the Gstaad Autombile Club, Audemars Piguet is associating with the “Gstaad Classic” a race for pre-1976 collector’s cars. The cars will drive along Alpine roads amid the magnificent unspoilt scenery of the Saanenland region. After the customary technical checks on September 2nd, the race will start on September 3rd, 2009 and will last for three full days spent discovering the three routes that each begin and end in the village of Gstaad.
Audemars Piguet and Gstaad Classic
Aiming to cover a total of 800 km, enlivened by 9 special sections on close. roads – a first in Switzerland – around one hundred teams will set out at the wheel of their classic racing car, competing either in the “regularity” or “competition” category. Around ten vehicles sporting the Audemars Piguet Racing Team livery will be taking part in the race. They will be vying with seasoned competitors to reach the higher echelons of the ranking.
An exhibition area at the heart of the village will host a number of prestigious cars, to the delight of classic car enthusiasts, along with various activities relating to the field of fine watchmaking.
The end of each day’s racing will see competitors return to the glamour and charm of Gstaad, where they can revel in the plush and friendly atmosphere of the grand luxury hotels, relaxing and savouring the quality of service of these prestigious establishments on which the resort has built its reputation. They will also be able to admire the title partner’s new watches in the Audemars Piguet Boutique located at the heart of the Grand Hôtel Park.
A Royal Oak Offshore watches special edition has been created to immortalise this race and will be officially presented during a gala evening to be held on September 5th in the legendary Gstaad Palace hotel. This resolutely sporting watch featuring bead-blasted titanium is a perfect blend of lightness and sturdiness. The “well-oiled mechanism” of its selfwinding movement combines accurate timekeeping with high-quality finishing. Moreover, its perforated black leather strap is a nod to that indispensable accessory of the gentleman driver, the famous 1950s style driver’s gloves. This model is also distinguished by its case-back engraved with the “Gstaad Classic 2009” logo. Once again, this new timepiece echoes the brand fundamentals as well as the values conveyed by this prestigious race: technology, as well as a quest for performance, precision and aesthetic elegance.
During the evening, Audemars Piguet will auction number 0 of this magnificent limited-edition timepiece. The funds raised will be donated to the Brain and Spinal Cord Institute (ICM), an association supported by numerous celebrities such as Michael Schumacher (founding member), Zinédine Zidane (the iconic spokesperson of the European Leucodystrophy Association) and Jean Todt (founding member), which aims to raise public awareness of neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Formula 1 racing driver and brand ambassador Sébastien Buemi will be attending the event in order to support this charitable operation, along with a number of eminent personalities and of course Audemars Piguet’s CEO Philippe Merk – who will present the future owner of this Gstaad Classic 2009 will the luxurious box that will house this exclusive creation.
Moreover, the best-placed competitors will be duly rewarded for their sporting achievements and will doubtless make a date in their calendars for the next edition in 2011.
Walter Lange’s 85th birthday
Walter Lange
At 66 years old, an age when other people are enjoying their retirement, Walter Lange revived the A. Lange & Söhne watch brand in Saxony, which had been founded by his great-grandfather Ferdinand Adolph Lange. That was in 1990. Now about to celebrate his 85th birthday, he is still in-volved in his life’s work.
The fact that there is once again an A. Lange & Söhne brand today is due to the political events of 1989 and 1990. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, history opened a historical win-dow of opportunity for Walter Lange. His interest was not solely in reviving the tradition of A. Lange & Söhne brand watches. Above all, he wanted to give the people in his former hometown hope for the future.
Four years of development, qualification, engineering, and planning resulted on 24 October 1994 in the first presentation of a collection of Lange watches for over 40 years. The new product launches exceeded all public expectations. The legendary watch brand was reborn.
On his 85th birthday Walter Lange can look back on his life’s work with pride as the small town of Glashütte is today the centre of German precision watchmaking again. More than a thousand people are now employed here in the watchmaking industry. It has trans-formed the region into a “blooming landscape” whose nucleus and motive force is the company founded by Walter Lange.
