Anyone coming down from the Marchairuz pass could easily drive by without noticing it, while approaching it from Le Brassus means crossing a branch of the River Orbe to reach this discreet location backing onto a hillside. By "it", we mean the farmhouse, a listed historical two-storey building of which the modest size is inversely proportional to the significance of its role: this is where Blancpain creates its finest Haute Horlogerie models. There is simply no equivalent in the vicinity. Back when the brand was still co-owned by the Biver/ Piguet (1982), it settled there and focused most of its activities in this spot. The Swatch Group's takeover 10 years later gave Blancpain a new boost and the ensuing fast growth that was both internal and external (with the integration of the Frederic Piguet factory) led it to spread to various new locations. The group then made a singular decision: to endow the brand with a production site (known as T0) in Le Sentier, with a 700-strong workforce, while preserving the historical farmhouse and continuing to entrust it with the assembly and decoration of Haute Horlogerie models. 20th wedding anniversaryTwo decades on, the state of this particular union is as flourishing as ever. The Swatch Group even treated its prestigious farmhouse to a makeover in 2007-2008 with a complete interior renovation. The aesthetic approach adopted involves full respect for the watchmaking traditions of the Vallee de Joux, with moderately sized workshops, wooden workbenches, absolute serenity and plenty of exposure to daylight. Of its 40 occupants, around 30 are devoted to horology as such, while the rest exercise various handcrafts, mainly engraving and painting on enamel. Each brand signature is finely hand-crafted. Olivier Müller / Delos Communications Letting time take its courseThis is a place free of any productivity calculations, deadlines to be met or assembly chains to be kept up to pace. The objective is absolute quality, without worrying about the time required to meet that goal. In a profession such as engraving, human dexterity will determine how long it takes to finish each part. In the Minute Repeater workshop, everyone knows that perfection calls the tune: of the two calibres of this type made by Blancpain, five or six weeks will elapse before they are ready to be cased up. When it comes to enamelling, the time factor simply does not come into it. "For dials with known colours, I know the blends, the firing times and things move quite fast", says the single artisan responsible for this art. He goes on to say, "When someone orders an unknown colour or a very special kind of painting, I have to make several attempts in order to achieve the result I'm looking for", before concluding with the telling words: "But that doesn't matter to me at all. Here, I am granted as much time as I need to do my work properly. I will get the job done regardless of how long it takes. "? The palette of colours involved in painting on enamel. On the far right, an indiscreet glimpse of a one-off model. . . Olivier Müller / Delos Communications Well-charted territoryThe farmhouse in Le Brassus avoids dissipating its efforts on countless different models. The minute repeater 33 and 233 movements have been in use for a long time now. The tourbillon is also fully mastered by Blancpain, as is the carrousel that has even become one of its signatures. Above and beyond this well-marked roadmap lies… the unknown. These are bespoke models that also have their place in the company farmhouse. The numbers are small and the details are kept secret. A few lucky future owners generally tend to request unique and personalised finishes. No photos or statistics are available, since this activity is strictly confidential. For the team of artisans exercising their art in the farmhouse, this field of activity is a double-edged challenge: a daily source of creative stimulus, as well as a considerable added sum of work alongside the creation of exceptional models and various limited series. The latter are mostly defined a year or two ahead of time. Technical feasibility studies and component production are done in Le Sentier, while the farmhouse is responsible for actually bringing them to life. Some collections are nonetheless predictable from one year to the next: by way of example, after the year of the horse, the next Chinese new year will be that of the goat. The 'watchmaker-farmers' in Le Brassus should feel entirely at home. One of the rare one-of-a-kind creations unveiled at Blancpain's Haute Horlogerie site. Olivier Müller / Delos Communications Click on the large image on top of the page to view the sideshow.
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Immediately after the prosperous exhibition for the to start with halt in New york city, the Youthful Watchmakers Tour took maintain of Beijing on June 20th. Shots from the gifted crew of younger watchmakers were shot at their watchmaking benches at quite a few iconic and historic relics from the city, mixing the standard Swiss craft as well as the deep cultural richness of Beijing. Next the shoot, the Zen Dwelling Place was transformed into a GP World to showcase the exquisite timepieces and profound cultural foundation of Girard-Perregaux. Guests loved taking part in one-on-one workshop, mastering with regards to the complex composition of enjoy movements, along with the crafted actions on their own beneath the advice of the brand's gifted watchmakers.
Girard-Perregaux thinks that the new era of youthful watchmakers can passionately carry out various roles, which can be equally as colourful and assorted given that the precious Girard-Perregaux replica watches they make. They completely interpret the classical mix of watchmaking as well as their innovative spirit, jam packed with vitality.
Stefano Macaluso, Normal manager of Girard-Perregaux claimed: Girard-Perregaux, with its 221-year heritage, has cemented the street for watchmaking in various methods. The younger watchmakers not only inherit the tradition in the manufacturer, but in addition carry far more electric power and vigor with them, entirely combining custom and innovation.
Dominique Loiseau, Girard-Perregaux's famed watchmaker, also joined and hosted an in-depth dialogue with Mr. Alexandre Bigler, look at qualified from Christie's Hong Kong. Their discussion incorporated timing art, machine producing and the inheritance of classics, likewise as Girard-Perregaux's 221-year tradition and Loiseau's vision for the future improvement in the Brand name.
‘I'm honored and excited to be in Beijing today , says Loiseau. Girard-Perregaux has been making historical past to the last two centuries. Tradition is foremost a know-how, the fundamental respect for immutable rules with the mechanic, without compromise. But without creativity, custom is a bad habit. We have to evolve with our time. The essential is to try to create replica watches that can touch our contemporaries as well as the foreseeable future generations.
A legend during the watchmaking globe, Mr. Dominique Loiseau has been engaged within the watch-making industry for far more than 30 years giving birth to some from the most amazing contemporary creations. This thirty day period, Fratelloreplica replica watches site exists 5 several years currently! For five many years, I have been ranting about replica watches , the replica watch sector, Basel, SIHH, replica watch books, accessories, boutiques, jewelers and so on. and so on. Over the last five many years, I've built many good friends inside the observe small business. Some of them became authentic close friends and that i am hunting forward to fulfill extra interesting (enjoy) people today from the coming years.
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