DIALED IN Horological News
SWATCH TEAMS WITH AUDEMARS
PIGUET ON NEW BALANCE SPRING
ALEXANDER SHOROKHOFF OFFERS
DEEP CUSTOMIZATION
German-based independent watchmaker Alexander Shorokhoff
announces that it will implement a wide set of customized designs for
a skeletonized watch with mechanical chronograph. The customer can
choose the style of the letters, the manner of the engraving, the extent
of skeletonization and the material for the case, strap or bracelet.
After selecting all components for a personal “Watch with Initials“ on
the company’s website, production can be started. One watchmaker
is dedicated and responsible for the unique timepiece from start to
finish. After a trial run the watchmaker signs the warranty certificate.
See the web site here. Price: 9,300 euros, or about $11,000.
Swatch Group, in collaboration with
Audemars Piguet, says it has developed
a new non-magnetic compensating
alloy called Nivachron for a new balance
spring. The two watchmakers developed
a special alloy with the aim of optimizing
the resistance of watch movements to
magnetic fields. Swatch says the new
alloy allows a considerable reduction in
the influence of the residual effect of a
magnetic field on the running of a watch
(a reduction by a factor of 10 to 20,
depending on the caliber) and adds that
the Swiss-made balance spring, made of
a titanium base, is very effective against
temperature variations experienced in
wearing conditions. Swatch also touts
greater shock resistance than previously
available.
IW reached out to both Audemars
Piguet and Swatch Group to learn more
about the details. Audemars Piguet
indicated that it will not comment on the
nature of the relationship, deferring to
the Swatch Group for all commentary.
iW then received a response to an e-mail
to Swatch Group HQ, which re-sent us
the press release with the advice that
“We will not comment any further.”
Swatch then confirmed that the paucity
of details was due to the fact that it
would soon announce a finished product
or products with the Nivachron balance
and will send additional details when the
project is finalized.
Correction: On page 42 in the iW Spring issue, we included the incorrect images and pricing for the watches
described. The pricing for the two Harry Winston watches pictured are: $38,900 (Avenue Classic Automatic rose
gold) and $40,000 (Avenue Classic Automatic white gold).
20 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2018
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