Watch Museum Archives -

A contemporary watch that evokes the past

The Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet opened its doors a month ago. The Audemars Piguet museum explores the luxury watchmaking manufacture history through over 300 watches, each telling a unique story from the Swiss brand’s past. The luxury house is celebrating the milestone with [Re]master01 Selfwinding Chronograph. This limited edition of 500 pieces evokes the highly distinctive design attributes of the original chronograph wristwatch from 1943, with its two-tone steel and pink gold case enhanced with a champagne dial.

Audemars Piguet [Re]master01 Selfwinding Chronograph unites 1940’s design with contemporary technology, visible through a new sapphire crystal caseback. The design of the watch is very esoteric and unusual. The dial has so much character and so much life. According to Audemars Piguet’s François-Henry Bennahmias, “you can see the humanity throughout the watch.”

When the watch came up in 1943 it was a unique watch. Because Audemars Piguet never made a serie actually before 1951. Every single watch was unique.The high-end brand’s goal was to re-adapt completely the vibe from 1943 and bring it to 2020.

Faithful to the original design language of pre-model 1533 from 1943, [Re]master01 features a round case and lugs in stainless steel, enhanced by a bezel, oliveshaped pushers and chamfered crown in 18-carat pink gold. The teardrops lugs highlight the two-tone case’s harmonious curve, while the very thin bezel provides unobstructed view on the dial’s detailed work. The case has been meticulously polished by hand.

The case’s two-tone polished aesthetics is complemented by a satin-brushed gold-toned dial enriched with black transferred hour-markers, pink gold hour, minute and seconds hands, blue chronograph hands and a blue transferred tachymetric scale. Although the dial design has retained the original timepiece’s classic features and Art Deco-inspired numerals, the watch’s enlarged 40 mm diameter ensures better legibility fit for a contemporary use.

Similarly to the 1943 wristwatch, [Re]master01 features the signature “Audemars Piguet & Co Genève” on the dial. From around 1885 to the mid1970s, AP had a workshop in Geneva to be closer to end clients and facilitate distribution within Europe and beyond. When APstarted to sign its watches in the early 20th century, the city of Geneva was frequently mentioned on the dial.

[Re]master01 is equipped with the Manufacture’s newest generation of selfwinding chronograph mechanism: an integrated chronograph with column wheel and flyback function.

According to Hodinkee, “this is one of the better releases I’ve seen over the last year. It’s beautiful, it’s technically impressive, and it’s a watch that contains a lot of stories and history in a wearable, not-too-fussy package. If you’re looking for a high-end chronograph that’s a little bit different than the usual suspects, this is your watch.”

Longines welcomes Ambassador of Elegance Kate Winslet to Saint-Imier.The winged hourglass and Kate Winslet to make a difference for those with autism.

Saint-Imier - Longines and Kate Winslet to re-issue a special watch for the Golden Hat Foundation-2016-- — Longines Welcomes Ambassador of Elegance Kate Winslet to Saint-Imier

For the award-winning Kate Winslet, true elegance is the only beauty that never fades. The famous British actress was spotted in Saint-Imier, Switzerland with a unique mission. Over the last six years, Kate had a special role – The Ambassador of Elegance for Longines, the Swiss watch maker based in Saint-Imier municipality in Bernese Jura. Winslet, a natural embodiment of “Elegance is an attitude” motto, visited the birthplace of all Longines’ horological marvels to embark on a new journey through time.

Longines Watch Factory and Museum, the must-visit attractions for all watch aficionados, are listed as Swiss Heritage Site of National Significance. The film of the visit included an exclusive tour of the renovated Longines Museum, a tour guided by Walter von Känel, President of Longines. The treasure room, the ‘long meadows’, the ‘hour angle’, the #eleganceisanattitude spaces are retracing the story of the famous Swiss watchmaking company born in 1832. Take a (virtual) Look Inside The Longines Museum.

Here, Kate Winslet found a particular watch to play an important role for her and for Longines. The timepiece belonging to the Flagship collection stays true to Longines historical values: tradition, elegance and performance, while supporting a worthy cause.

All Kate Winslet’s cinematographic and philanthropic work convey a state of mind and a determination to break free of trends so as to set the next ones. The Oscar-winning actress has always a refreshingly positive attitude and a strong faith that the greatest success we’ll know is helping others succeed and grow.

Together with Kate Winslet, the Swiss watch brand is lending its voice to raise awareness and eliminate barriers for people living with autism. An example of altruism, Kate Winslet believes there is hope for all affected by this condition. The newest Longines x Kate Winslet collaboration will see the re-issue of the watch from Longines Flagship Collection supporting The Golden Hat Foundation co-founded by Kate Winslet. To change the way people on the autism spectrum are perceived is a difficult task, but the non-profit organization is making a difference through unique awareness initiatives, career placement, education and training, onsite services, and high-profile projects.

Winslet’s involvement in narrating ‘A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism’ documentary (2010) led to her founding the charitable organization. Kate also published ‘The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism’ book containing statements from stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Caine, and Marion Cotillard. Actress’ charitable work with the Golden Hat brought her the 2011 Yo Dona award for Best Humanitarian Work.

‘Longines is honoured to have welcomed Kate to Saint-Imier, and to have shared with her the watchmaker’s passion, which has remained unchanged for nearly 185 years. The watchmaking company is pleased to once again salute the beautiful heart of this wonderful actress, which led her to create her foundation and dedicate herself to helping the less fortunate,’ said Longines in a statement.

‘It makes me incredibly proud to work on this effort to bring awareness to the plight of people with autism. I believe that all people with autism should be given the opportunity to learn to communicate, receive a suitable academic education and experience social relationships,’ Kate Winslet said about her mission at Golden Hat Foundation.

‘After watching A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism with my daughter, she turned to me and asked, “What if I wasn’t able to tell you I love you, mummy?” As I thought about what that meant, for a mother not to be able to talk with her own child, I realized that I had to lend my voice to raise awareness of this rapidly increasing disorder. As a mother, I thought, how could I not help tell this story of another mother’s journey to discover her son; a journey of courage and determination to try to change the world for children with autism,’ added Kate Winslet.

With proceeds of the watch sales going to the Golden Hat Foundation, the 2017 Longines Flagship timepiece will be a heartfelt way to make a difference and turn a special moment into a lasting memory for those you care. Never underestimate your ability to make someone else’s life better – even if you never know it.