Baselworld 2013 … Marc Hayek presented me some of the novelties of Blancpain and Breguet

Marc Hayek is member of the Executive Group Management Board of Swatch Group and also responsible for the luxury brands of the group. Listen to my interview and see the pictures …

I met Marc Hayek this afternoon and we talked about Blancpain and Breguet. Both brands were busy again and it was a pleasure to see the new watches.

I invite you to listen to Marc Hayek and to discover some of the novelties of the brands he takes care …

Marc Hayek today in the afternoon in his office here at Baselworld

There is also a picture of his grandfather Nicolas G. Hayek there. I think today he would be proud of his grandson Marc 🙂

NOTE!!! These are just teasers! These are the watches Marc Hayek talked about. I will of course follow up and show you more watches from Breguet and Blancpain that have been presented here at the Baselworld 2013

BREGUET CLASSIQUE CHRONOMÉTRIE 7727

The major innovation of the Breguet Classique Chronométrie model is without doubt the use of magnetic pivots. It is likely that the impact of this invention will not be felt for a few years yet. With the magnetic pivot, Breguet not only controls the negative effects of magnetism in a watch, but also uses magnetic force to improve the pivoting, rotation and stability of the balance staff. Breguet’s watchmakers have designed a stable system using two endstones incorporating powerful micro-magnets (approx. 1.3 teslas) that keep the balance staff centred and self-adjusting. One of the magnets is stronger than the other to create a magnetic gradient. A magnetic flux, generated within the balance-staff induces a magnetic attraction that keeps the end of the pivot in contact with the endstone. Held in an artificial gravitational force, the balance staff is unaffected by the different positions of the watch and the conditions at each pivot remain unchanged. If a shock knocks the balance staff sideways, the system acts like a pare-chute to return it to its position, except that magnetic forces re-centre the staff to regain maximum magnetic flux. The result is a balance that is insensitive to gravity, more stable and resistant to shocks. These innovations bring the reference 7727’s average rate to -1/+3 seconds a day, well within the COSC chronometer standard of -4/+6 seconds a day. More importantly, the difference in rate between the six positions has been brought down to -2/+4 seconds a day (maximum wind). No fewer than six patents protect these technical achievements.

BREGUET CLASSIQUE TOURBILLON EXTRA-THIN AUTOMATIC 5377

Breguet has designed the reference 5377 Classique Tourbillon extra thin automatic for admirers of this complication who wish to wear as thinner watch. This 42 mm watch has all its identifying attributes as a Breguet product, including its engine-turned dial and open-tipped Breguet hands, welded lugs, fine fluting on the case band, unique number and secret signature. The tourbillon carriage and the balance are in titanium, the balance-spring is made of silicon and the escapement is in silicon and anti-magnetic steel. The new calibre 581DR fitted into this timepiece beats at 4 Hz — a high frequency for a tourbillon — without sacrificing power reserve. The patented “high-energy” barrel provides 90 hours of running time. To keep the height of the movement down to 3 mm in a 7 mm thick case, Breguet’s watchmakers have placed the bidirectional platinum winding rotor on the edge of the movement. This new movement, protected by two patents, has been made into a work of art; the fine engraving and superb workmanship can be admired through the sapphire-crystal case back.

Blancpain Bathyscaphe

Since its creation in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms by Blancpain has been the archetypal modern diver’s watch. 60 years on, two new models join a fabulous lineage that has earned iconic status. The vintage-inspired Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe presented in a 2013 men’s and women’s version incorporates the latest watch industry developments with the silicon balance-spring. Inspired by the abyssal underwater exploration of Swiss adventurer Jacques Piccard, Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe diver’s watches were introduced in the late 1950s as models for both men and women. Imbued with the spirit of these historical models, the new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe offers a reinterpretation of these two models featuring the integration of the latest technical innovations.

So, once again: These were just teasers… There is more to come!