Tag Archives: H.S.H. Prince Albert II

Ateliers deMonaco participates in Top Marques Monaco 2018

Ateliers deMonaco is delighted to participate in Top Marques Monaco 2018.

The latest novelties of the brand are presented for the first time this year in Monaco.

Feel free to visit www.topmarquesmonaco.com for more information about the event.

 

 

The new and unique Tourbillon Casino de Monte-carlo

The Casino of Monte-Carlo is one of the great historical buildings of Monaco. Located in the heart of the city, next to the famous Hôtel de Paris, it is one of the most symbolic places of the Principality. In order to honour this beautiful monument, the watch manufacture Ateliers deMonaco took its inspiration from this mythic place and created a unique piece called Tourbillon Casino de Monte-Carlo.

 

For the love of the game

This prestigious watch is composed of an automatic mechanism named Tourbillon XP1. It’s one of the first patented movements of Ateliers deMonaco and it is famous for having an incomparably precise tourbillon since it has a 0 to 2 seconds per 24 hours’ tolerance. This accuracy makes it one of the most precise tourbillon movements in the world.

The calibre is covered with a sumptuous 18K solid white gold dial, passionately hand-engraved by our master engraver and representing the Casino of Monte-Carlo. It is composed of three superposed plates creating an amazing relief on this piece. The first plate showcases the palm tree avenue as well as the steps of the Casino, an opening on the tourbillon’s cage predominates at the centre and reveals the sapphire bridge and thus takes the place of the central fountain. The second, shows the Casino’s facade and its two famous domes. Finally, the last one features the sky and the clouds that overhang the principality’s must see monument. The hours’ indexes are applied on the dial and have a lozenge form, iconic symbol of the brand and the crest of Monaco.

This splendid dial is encased in a 18K white gold brushed case, this sophisticated finish emphasises the hand-engraving work on the dial. Only the case’s edges are polished, bringing out the lines of this fine timepiece. The case-back is hand-engraved with the mention: Pièce Unique Casino de Monte-Carlo.

Moreover, the watch is linked seamlessly by a black alligator leather strap equipped with a 18K white gold folding buckle brings a flawless finishing at this watch.

 

Brief history of the Casino of Monte-Carlo

Founded by François Blanc, founder of the Société des Bains de Mer and located on the plateau des Spélugues, between the Hôtel de Paris, the Pavillon and the Café de Paris, the Casino de Monte-Carlo was inaugurated in 1863 and marks the beginning of the society life of Monte-Carlo.

Designed by Charles Garnier and in a Belle Époque style architecture, it was refurbished several times and took its current form in 1910.

This new unique timepiece from the Ateliers deMonaco manufacture should certainly meet the expectations of both casino and game lovers.

Ateliers deMonaco received the visit of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco during Top Marques Monaco 2017

Ateliers deMonaco was delighted to receive the visit of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco during the event
Top Marques Monaco 2017.

The 2017 Monaco’s motor-show hosted a record number of visitors with more than 45’000 people that visited the exhibition along the four days.

It was a pleasure for Ateliers deMonaco to present its latest horological creations to the Monaco’s lovers in an authentique atmosphere.

Top Marques Monaco 2017, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Pim Koeslag, CEO of Ateliers deMonaco

Feel free to visit www.topmarquesmonaco.com for more information about the event.

 

 

Update from Top Marques Monaco 2011

March/April has been action pact for the Ateliers deMonaco team, but has also been extremely exciting as we have had a tremendous amount of press coverage and exciting & enthusiastic reactions on our latest additions to the collection. We launched the Quantieme Perpetual Calendar with the EaZy-Adjust system during Basel, and we also had a little surprise during last week’s Top Marques luxury fair in our own backyard: The Grimaldi forum in Monaco.

 

Over 33,000 visitors crossed the threshold for the April 2011 show, up almost 10% on last year – no surprise with the quantity and caliber of exhibitors continuing to push the limits. This included ourselves, as we officially launched our entrance in the female high-end watch segment with La Sirene. Both the watch and the overwhelming positive reactions have been a surprise to many, including ourselves!

And like every year, The Prince went out of his way to catch up with the team, see the latest additions to the collection, including being the firs to officially admire the with  blue Topaz gemstone studded 18K white gold La Sirene.

We will keep you posted and will give you the inside scope when we have the official ceremony with the future Princess!

Monaco celebrates first anniversary of its own Haute Horlogerie brand: Ateliers deMonaco.

During a highly exclusive invitation only Cocktail party over the weekend in the Hotel de Paris in Monte-Carlo, Ateliers deMonaco celebrated its first anniversary as the new young rising star in the field of Haute Horlogerie.

Cocktails on the terrace of Hotel de Paris to celebrate Ateliers deMonaco’s first anniversary
Cocktails on the terrace of Hotel de Paris to celebrate Ateliers deMonaco’s first anniversary

Among the guests toasting on the prosperous future of the brand were local prominent business and government leaders, as well as some icons out of sports, fashion and entertainment field.

Master horologer and co-founder Pim Koeslag welcoming some icons out of the world of luxury, fashion and private banking - Frank Muller, Kenzo & Piero Grandi.
Master horologer and co-founder Pim Koeslag welcoming some icons out of the world of luxury, fashion and private banking – Frank Muller, Kenzo & Piero Grandi.

In his opening speech, initiator and co-founder Robert van Pappelendam gave his perspective why this event was an important milestone on the journey to create a new and exclusive Haute Horlogerie brand, but this time from Monaco.

Chamberlain to HSH Prince Albert II congratulating Initiator and co-founder Robert van Pappelendam
Chamberlain to HSH Prince Albert II congratulating Initiator and co-founder Robert van Pappelendam

“When we started the journey to realize our dream a couple of years ago, we wanted to create something fresh, new and innovative, yet that could compete with the highest standards of quality and watch making. No compromises, no shortcuts. And along the way we always kept this commitment to the very best in front of us. We got inspired by a quote from Sir Henry Royce: “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best what exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.” It is this commitment we believe from the start that helped create what later became one of the most iconic luxury brands in the world.”

The Ronde d'Or Royale - The Prince's choice
The Ronde d’Or Royale – The Prince’s choice

“So many have asked us, why Monaco, and the short version of the answer is: do you really believe Henry Royce would have created the brand as it is today if he would have been located with the rest of the industry in Detroit Michigan? So, we also chose to locate to an environment that could inspire, that has a long standing heritage of artistic achievements and lastly is in the heart of where our target consumer’s lives: Monaco. And the support we have gotten so far from the local authorities and The Palace have been tremendous.”

Secretary-General Red Cross Monegasque, President du Conseil d’Etat & President du Conseil de l’ordre des experts  comptables Monaco
Secretary-General Red Cross Monegasque, President du Conseil d’Etat & President du Conseil de l’ordre des experts comptables Monaco

“The last question that is on most of your minds is: are you nuts to create a new high end bespoke watch brand in the midst of an economic crisis? We believe no economic crisis should come in the way of us realizing our dream and the brand proposition we all fell in love with. And how are we doing so far? We closed our first Baselworld with the following facts: 7 days of exhibition, 100+press interviews, 388 business cards, 2040 minutes of planned appointments, 100,000 + visitors, and as a result multiple distribution points across Western Europe, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Looking forward and around us today, this brand is of to an excellent start, something to be proud of and importantly to draw confidence from for the hard work ahead of us to create our NOUVELLE entry in the HAUTE HORLOGERIE, but this time from MONACO!”

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The height of the celebration was planned to be the acceptance by H.S.H Prince Albert II of his first Ateliers deMonaco watch, a public statement of his support of entrepreneurship in Monaco and for the Ateliers deMonaco brand specifically. Despite His full calendar,  H.S.H. Prince Albert II invited the brand for a private meeting in the Palace just a couple of days after the cocktail event. In a very relaxed and intimate setting, the Ateliers deMonaco team could bring The Prince up to speed on its latest innovations and plans for the future. Looking at the watch on his wrist, the event was closed by saying:

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco officially receiving his first Ateliers deMonaco watch Crédit photo: Gaetan Luci - Palais Princier
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco officially receiving his first Ateliers deMonaco watch Crédit photo: Gaetan Luci – Palais Princier

“This is an extremely exciting project and it is great to see a young and passionate group of people being committed to making such high-end craftsmanship out of Monaco. I for one will be a proud wearer of your watches. We wish you the very best and hope we can stay in close contact to ensure the whole of Monaco can enjoy being part of your journey!”

Watch with special engraving chosen by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
Watch with special engraving chosen by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
As you can see, a lot of progress, much more to do….in the end, the biggest reward for us is to see our end-consumer deeply enjoying the bespoke experience created for them, and if asked, readily sharing with like-minded people!
Nothing beats the feeling of wearing an Ateliers deMonaco watch yourself
Nothing beats the feeling of wearing an Ateliers deMonaco watch yourself

world premier

WORLD PREMIER!

The launch is a fact! And importantly, we have been overwhelmed and humbled with the reactions during our world premier last weekend. Although we have long looked out for this moment to show our baby to the world, we could not have expected better reactions. From respected icons of the watch industry, to global celebrities & local decision makers, they all felt something new and exciting is happening in the watch world. The quote we are most proud of: “you think you have seen all in the haute horlogerie, but surprises still exist! This is an achievement you should all be very proud of.”

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco congratulating the team with the world premier
Steven Saltzman, Charlene Wittstock, Master Horloger Pim Koeslag & co-founder Robert van Pappelendam - Inspecting an Ateliers deMonaco watch. The over 120 hours of hand-finishing and decoration only resulted in a heartfelt: "Wow!"
Steven Saltzman, Charlene Wittstock, Master Horloger Pim Koeslag & co-founder Robert van Pappelendam – Inspecting an Ateliers deMonaco watch. The over 120 hours of hand-finishing and decoration only resulted in a heartfelt: “Wow!”
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Master Horloger Pim Koeslag and co-founder Robert van Pappelendam during the launch event
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Master Horloger Pim Koeslag and co-founder Robert van Pappelendam during the launch event

We will continue to use this blog to keep you updated and in touch with our efforts to create a NOUVELLE HORLOGERIE, from Monaco.