Watch

Lifestyle, Polo News

BIANCHET Official Watch & Timing Partner of the POLO RIDER CUP 2023

19. May 2023

BIANCHET, the Swiss tourbillon watch brand, is announced as Official Watch and Timing Partner of the POLO RIDER CUP, held from 14 to 24 June 2023 at the Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin. (France).

For the second consecutive year, Bianchet partners with POLO RIDER CUP in the prestigious settings of the Polo Club of Saint Tropez Haras de Gassin, where the international tournament will bring together the best polo clubs from around the world for 10 days, all playing with the same rules in a single club.

Bianchet, which creates fine tourbillon timepieces, marrying peerless Haute Horlogerie techniques, high-tech materials, and thousand-year-old design principles, embodies a new essence of style in contemporary watchmaking. The Swiss watch brand partners with organisations and initiatives driven by passion and animated by style and elegance, that reflect the brand’s uncompromising quest for beauty and elegance.

One of the oldest known sports in the world, Polo is a game of precision, balance, strength, and mastery, which marries tradition and timeless elegance. All qualities that are present in every Bianchet tourbillon watch. During this year’s edition of the POLO RIDER CUP, twelve teams, each one representing a different Polo Club, will compete in the sumptuous settings of the Polo Resort & Country Club Saint-Tropez. The tournament will be played with a 10/12 goals handicap, 5 chukkas per game for a total of 30 games.

Rodolfo Festa Bianchet, CEO of Bianchet, comments: “We are thrilled to partner with the POLO RIDER CUP as Official Watch & Timing Partner for the second time. The style and elegance of the Polo horses in the beautiful settings of the French Polo Club Saint-Tropez, coupled with the passion and determination of the players, are the same skills and values that drive Bianchet.’’

Olivier Godallier, President & Founder of GAME POLO, comments: “We are very pleased to partner with Bianchet once again. The POLO RIDER CUP shares similar values with Bianchet, as we both look for excellence and elegance, and the creation of a unique and exclusive experience.’’

About Bianchet (www.bianchet.com)

Bianchet is a new horological independent watchmaker founded by Rodolfo and Emmanuelle Festa Bianchet, located in the Neuchatel area. Following a career in Fintech, the Festa Bianchet couple embarked on a new entrepreneurial project, following their passion and desire to create their own watches.

About GAME POLO (www.poloridercup.com)

GAME POLO is a French sports marketing agency with activities in event management, marketing & sponsoring, licensing & merchandising, TV & digital distribution, and hospitality. GAME POLO is also the Organizer and Promoter of the POLO RIDER CUP and Ladies POLO RIDER CUP.

BIANCHET, the Swiss tourbillon watch brand, is announced as Official Watch and Timing Partner of the POLO RIDER CUP, held from 14 to 24 June 2023 at the Polo Club…

Art & Design, Lifestyle, Polo News, Real Estate, Travel & Food

NINETY, the Official Richard Mille Pre-Owned Retailer, opens on Mount Street

13. April 2021

NINETY is a new luxury concept located in the heart of Mayfair. Conceived as a progressive relationship between product and experience, the brand aims to combine the most sought after and rarest of watches and jewellery with tailored, exemplary service; all housed in a beautiful Mayfair boutique. The project is owned by Peter Harrison, and operated by his daughter Tilly and her business partner Ben Cleary, the jewellery expert. The two are determined to depart from a conventional sales approach and instead aim to engender longstanding and two-way relationships with their clients – acting not only as the predominant destination for seekers of pre-owned Richard Mille pieces and high jewellery, but also as a trusted and specialist resource, and point of reference to service any client requirement within the luxury market.

The boutique itself is a reflection of this distinct approach; ensconced within the most exclusive retail street in London, the design eschews all traditional norms – orientated towards a relaxed and immersive experience for customers. The displays are minimal yet invariably impressive; trading cluttered quantity for striking quality, and the pieces themselves are showcased throughout the store in a series of private and intimate spaces.

The impression and feel are one of a private Mayfair apartment, rather than a typical transactional retail store; in the words of Project Designers B.A.D Studios “the objective was to create a modern-day retail aesthetic whilst maintaining traditional features in keeping with the residential feel of the interiors”. In a collaborative effort alongside the bespoke interior designer, Interiors by Kitty, their overarching vision was to create an aesthetic which is at once sophisticated and timeless, underpinned by a comprehensive heritage, hand-crafted finish”. In fact, the heart of the boutique lies beyond the main entrance, in the elegant lounge at the rear, where clients can sit comfortably and look through an array of treasures in private, and downstairs where a hidden, intimate bar showcases their latest artwork for sale in a haven away from the outside bustle.

Part of the Richard Mille EMEA group, and designated as the official and exclusive pre-owned retailer in Europe and the Middle East, NINETY represents an evolution in the rapidly emerging, but currently murky pre-owned market. A reputable and trustworthy destination, which houses its own Richard Mille trained watchmaker and workshop, along with a team of experienced specialists from all aspects of the luxury market, NINETY is the place to curate, grow or sell your collection with confidence, and in comfort.

Images: ©NINETY

OPENING HOURS: 10:00 – 18:00 MONDAY TO SATURDAY

www.ninetymountstreet.com

INSTAGRAM:
@ninetymountstreet

FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/NinetyMountStreet

LINKED IN:
linkedin.com/company/ninetymountstreet

NINETY is a new luxury concept located in the heart of Mayfair. Conceived as a progressive relationship between product and experience, the brand aims to combine the most sought after…

Art & Design, Fashion, Lifestyle, Polo News

JAEGER-LECOULTRE PRESENTS THE REVERSO TRIBUTE SMALL SECONDS IN GREEN

8. April 2021

When the Reverso was created in 1931, the Manufacture immediately recognised the design’s wide appeal beyond the sporting arena for which it was originally conceived and, within the first year, began to offer colourful variations on the original black dial.

In chocolate brown, red, burgundy or blue, the lacquered dials created a stylish and exuberant contrast with the case metal and – at a time when coloured dials were rare in watchmaking – made the Reverso appear even more modern and distinctive.

Over the decades, the Reverso has appeared with a variety of dials and in different case sizes – without ever compromising the integrity of the original design – and, in 2016, Jaeger-LeCoultre returned to the stylistic codes of the original 1931 model to create a series of Tribute models.

For 2021, recalling the early use of colour that distinguished the Reverso, La Grande Maison presents the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in Green. The rich tone of the sunray-brushed lacquer dial and matching leather strap is reminiscent of the deep green of the pine forests that surround JaegerLeCoultre’s home in the Vallée de Joux.

The dial features all of the signature design elements of the Reverso Tribute: the hours are marked by applied indexes rather than numerals. Their faceted shape echoes the form of the Dauphine hands and adds visual depth to the lacquered surface. In the lower half of the dial, the circular track of the small seconds display provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case. Echoing the sunray brushing of the dial, a sunray pattern on the inside of the cradle is visible when the case is flipped over.

In keeping with Reverso tradition, the solid metal back of the reversible case is an ideal canvas for personalisation with a motif or engraving. The owner can choose to keep this personalisation hidden, as a private pleasure, or to turn the case over, so that the back becomes the front.

The slim 8.5mm case houses the manually wound mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2; a rectangular shaped movement with small seconds designed expressly for the Reverso, it offers a power reserve of 42 hours. Reconnecting the Reverso to its roots in the sport of polo, Jaeger-LeCoultre began a collaboration in 2011 with Casa Fagliano. Celebrated throughout the polo world for its handmade boots, Fagliano has created straps for a series of special Reverso models. In keeping with the relaxed modernity of the Tribute collection, the calf leather strap of the new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, made to Fagliano’s signature design, is in the same green as the dial, creating a unified aesthetic that underlines the timelessness of the Reverso design.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
REVERSO TRIBUTE SMALL SECONDS

Case material: Steel
Case dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm
Thickness: 8.5mm
Movement: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Power reserve: 42 hours
Water resistance: 30 metres
Case back: closed
Strap: Green calf
Reference: Q3978430

ABOUT THE REVERSO

In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a timepiece that was destined to become a classic of 20th-century design: the Reverso. Created to withstand the rigours of polo matches, its sleek, Art Deco lines and unique reversible case make it one of the most immediately recognisable watches of all time. Through nine decades the Reverso has continually reinvented itself without ever compromising its identity: it has housed more than 50 different calibres, while its blank metal flip side has become a canvas for creative expression, decorated with enamel, engravings or gemstones. Today, 90 years after the Reverso was born, it continues to epitomise the spirit of modernity that inspired its creation.

jaeger-lecoultre.com

When the Reverso was created in 1931, the Manufacture immediately recognised the design’s wide appeal beyond the sporting arena for which it was originally conceived and, within the first year,…

Art & Design, Fashion, Lifestyle, Polo News

FLORE GIRAUD – SCALING THE HEIGHTS OF SUCCESS!

11. February 2021

• Young French show jumping rider of 24 years old
• One of the world’s best show jumping hopefuls
• Wears the RM 07-01 Automatic in Carbon TPT ® and Titanium

“A true breath of fresh air!” Richard Mille is delighted to welcome Flore Giraud, France’s most up and coming showjumping champion into the Richard Mille stable. In a sport which is currently regaining popularity throughout the globe, Flore is jumping leaps and bounds on her way to peak performance.

“I was riding even before I was born” says the 24-year-old, acknowledging that her passion for all equestrian things comes from her mother. “When I was a little girl, you couldn’t get me out of the stables. I was riding, grooming, mucking in – I’d have slept there too if they’d let me! I had my first Shetland Poney when I was just 4 and started competing at 8.” The world has since become her chosen arena with world-beating success both at national and international Grand Prix such as Knokke, Equita Lyon, Wellington US and the 2019 Longines Masters in Paris.

“To nurture a relationship with horses requires sensitivity. They give you so much, you really have to build an instinctive relationship and that takes years of dedication. Of course, they sense how important it is when the Big Day comes. They are away from their home, they feel the crowd. Above all they sense your adrenaline. After all, you are demanding incredible achievements from them. You don’t get that without putting in the effort.”

Flore works at the estate Haras de Lécaude, located near Deauville in Normandy (France). The facilities are state of the art, equipped with an all-season riding arena, galop apparatus and spa. Horses, “the true athletes” as Flore insists, deserve only the best, with massages to ease their much in demand muscles. “It’s exactly the same as Formula 1. Edward Levy and I are the two riders at the Haras but all the staff around us make up the team, just like the technicians you find in the pits.” Mental attitude is 90% of the sport and Flore has her own mental coach. “It quickly becomes a virtuous circle of winning, positive attitude and how to cope with any down phases.”

Things “clicked” instantly when Flore met Amanda Mille. Both share a vision about the role of women in international competition. “It’s almost unique to have a sport where we compete on equal terms with men. On top of this I was struck by the brand’s commitment to detail. Our performance lasts a minute, but many years of preparation go into that minute. Every part of every second counts. I love the minutiae of perfection.” Not to forget the other important feature which endears Flore to the RM 07-01 in Carbon TPT ® and Titanium – its supreme lightness. “That’s exactly what I’m striving for when I approach each and every hurdle.” The 24-year-old French woman is obviously chomping at the bit to take on the challenge of the 2024 Paris Olympics and make no mistake, Flore has every intention of clearing any obstacles in her path!

Images: © Richard Mille

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• Young French show jumping rider of 24 years old • One of the world’s best show jumping hopefuls • Wears the RM 07-01 Automatic in Carbon TPT ® and…

Art & Design, Fashion, Lifestyle, Polo News

Richard Mille: Grey Cermet makes an appearance in the new RM 11-05 Automatic Flyback Chronograph GMT

3. July 2020

Grey Cermet, Richard Mille’s new exclusive material
The lightness of titanium meets the hardness of diamond
Limited edition of 140 pieces

Grey Cermet, Richard Mille’s new exclusive material The lightness of titanium meets the hardness of diamond Limited edition of 140 pieces

True to the Richard Mille spirit, grey Cermet is the fruit of painstaking research conducted by the brand, which is unrelenting in its commitment to the creation of new materials. This exclusive Richard Mille material in watchmaking combines the lightness of titanium and the hardness of diamond.

The construction of the automatic movement gives pride of place to titanium.

Its functions notably include a GMT display that can be simply adjusted thanks to a pushpiece at 9 o’clock, a 24-hour flyback chronograph, and an annual calendar. The added grey Cermet is adapted to the pure aerodynamic lines of the iconic case, which measures 50 x 42.70 mm with a total thickness of 16.15 mm.

The Cermet owes its unique grey colour to the combination of a metallic zirconium matrix with high-performance ceramic inserts. Its implementation required a degree of rigour commensurate with that needed to create the materials themselves. Heating and pressing together very different kinds of materials at a high temperature without altering their respective qualities was a challenge.

It proved even more difficult to obtain a homogeneous whole, as nickel and cobalt, which are normally used in this family of hard materials, were excluded in order to adhere to REACH standards, which ensure safety in the production and use of chemicals in the European industry.

It took many years of development for Richard Mille and the IMI Group, specialising in microtechnology, to remove these undesirable binders and only retain suitable materials. The innovative procedure used for this solution pairs classic hot stamping with a series of powerful electrical current pulses to increase the sintering kinetics, a technique known as ‘flash sintering’.Its density of 4.1 g/cm 3 – less than that of titanium – and its hardness of 2,360 Vickers – almost the same as diamond’s 2,400 Vickers make Cermet a judicious choice for use in bezels that are very exposed to scratches, while maintaining overall lightness. Cermet’s physical properties are widely recognised, hence its frequent use in ballistic protection, external aerospace fuselage components, and in the brakes of competition vehicles.

The combination of a Carbon TPT ® caseband, a grade 5 titanium caseback and a grey Cermet bezel helps to significantly reduce the weight of the RM 11-05.

Limited to 140 pieces, the RM 11-05 Automatic Flyback Chronograph GMT will be available from July 2020.