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Poinçon de Genève Dressed by The Monaco Prince’s Palace Logo

Since 2015, Ateliers deMonaco is among the happy few very meticulous watchmaking houses to have earned the Geneva seal.

To receive this recognition, each watch component has to be made with the utmost care and be finely decorated. Moreover, each movement must be assembled, adjusted and encased in the brand’s manufacture in Geneva. This is a controlled label, guaranteed by the state of Geneva and a beacon of exceptional quality ensuring that the purchased product is both flawless and authentic.

This year, two new prestigious models join this prestigious collection and further express the brand’s attachment to watchmaking tradition – making timepieces that are not only a mere measurement instrument, but a true work of art.

Limited to 18 pieces each, the watches are offered in an 18K rose or white gold case. The Monaco prince’s palace logo has been placed at 6 o’clock to pay homage to the brand’s heritage and hand-applied roman indexes have been added to enhance its elegance. The watches are designed to achieve a luxurious aesthetic appeal on both sides. Thanks to its see-through case-back, the wearer can admire the hand decorations on the movement such as chamfered, drawn flanks, drafted marks and mirror polish on the steel parts. For the bridges: chamfered, drawn flanks, circular graining and Côte de Genève decorations. This limited-edition collection is presented with a black and a brown hand-stitched alligator leather strap with either an 18K white or rose gold tongue buckle.

In addition to the Poinçon de Genève certification, these new models include the patented Ateliers deMonaco “Freebeat” adjustment system. In a conventional regulation system, pins on both side of the hairspring are used to regulate how much it can wind and unwind, regulating the speed of the balance wheel. By allowing the hairspring to bounce against these pins, in combination with gravity forces, the unfortunate side effect of these collisions is that it interferes with the precision of the movement itself. The “Freebeat” regulation system controls the hairspring’s length with an adjustable crémaillère (straight bar with teeth on one edge, allowing it to be fixed at different lengths) obsoleting the need for pins and avoiding any interference.

To bring power to these timepieces, the watchmakers of Ateliers deMonaco have equipped them with the in-house and patented manual dMc-708 calibre, featuring a 38-hour power reserve and ruling the central hour, minute and second hands. The ultra-thin characteristics of this calibre enabled the brand to encase it within a delicate 9.2mm high case.

Ateliers deMonaco endows its Sirène timepiece with a new Champagne colour

 

Ateliers deMonaco, watchmaking manufacture, first launched its La Sirène timepiece in 2009. 9 years later, the brand offers its leading lady a beautiful new Champagne look for the festive season. This delicate piece offers a perfect balance between watchmaking tradition and dazzling beauty. Luxuriously composed of gold and diamonds, this piece of jewellery will bring charm and elegance to any feminine wrist.

Developed and made in Ateliers deMonaco’s manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, the dMc-700 automatic movement is assembled by the Maison’s passionate watchmakers. The masterpiece of this movement is its hand-engraved, 22-carat gold rotor which represents the Principality of Monaco’s coat of arms. Ateliers deMonaco is the only brand allowed to use this shield.

This traditional movement is encased by a 18-carat rose gold case magnified by 617 champagne-coloured diamonds, set to fit the shape of the case perfectly. In perfect harmony with the case, a delicate flower called King Protea is represented on the dial. Three rows of 24 lozenge-shaped settings welcome 120 champagne diamonds to create the corolla. The heart of the flower is made of white mother-of-pearl, and is surrounded by a rose gold ring. Finally, to echo the colour of the white mother-of-pearl and the base of the rhodium-plated rose gold dial, a white alligator strap enhances the whole.

This new timepiece, La Sirène Champagne, is the fourth reinterpretation of the original La Sirène Topaze piece created in honour of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco. This flagship model of the women’s Ateliers de Monaco collection is limited to 8 pieces only. An ideal and coveted gift for the holidays.

A new Prato model joins the Admiral Chronographe Flyback collection in partnership with Prato Automobiles

This year, Ateliers deMonaco has introduced a new model to its prestigious Admiral Chronographe Flyback collection; the Prato. The pieces – launched in March of this year – were presented as the fruit of the brand’s new partnership with Prato Automobiles. Further completing the collection, is a new timepiece in rose gold. A standout piece that asserts the brand’s luxurious standards and passion for mechanics.

An ideal partnership

If two worlds were made to collide, watchmaking and automobiles were the ideal candidates.

The two industries definitely echo each other on many levels – precision, a care for detail and a smart design are just a few mere examples. It is therefore no surprise that Ateliers deMonaco and Prato Automobiles came together in an effort to bring their ideals into a series of fine timepieces.

A rose gold marvel of mechanics and aesthetics

An addition to the chronographs released earlier this year, Ateliers deMonaco’s rose gold newcomer needn’t envy its predecessors.

Its shiny 18K rose gold polished case houses the brand’s automatic hand-decorated dMc-760 caliber – the heart of the patented Flyback complication which offers its wearer, a single gesture to go from one measurement of time to another. Protecting this complex mechanical core, a delicate carbon fiber and 18K rose gold dial. Thanks to a specific technique often used in the automotive industry, each dial is meticulously finished and, more importantly, unique.

A face further enhanced by black PVD treated applied roman numerals and the Prato logo.

Finally, the counters and Dauphine hands complete the timepieceoffering a powerful and playful contrast with the rich, textured dial.

Savoir-faire

Because beauty should come from within, Ateliers deMonaco takes pride and patience in preparing its components and assembling its movements. The dMc-760 makes no exception to the rule.

The in-house caliber is composed of 226 components split in two essential parts. The first is the base movement, intended to bring to life the hours, minutes and seconds of the watch. The second is the module carrying the flyback chronograph mechanism, which relies on 96 components.

The movement is assembled by hand by the brand’s skilful watchmakers, a long and delicate process which requires both experience and finesse.

New Tourbillon Oculus 1297 Titane

Ateliers deMonaco unveils two new models from its Tourbillon Oculus 1297 collection.

In order to celebrate the first year of the collection Tourbillon Oculus 1297, Ateliers deMonaco unveils two new models with a black titanium case bringing a sportier touch to the collection.

Launched in 2016 and recognisable by its dial composed of small lozenges in relief, this collection is inspired by Monaco’s coat of arms.

 

Between watchmaking tradition and technological innovation

Emanating from the Tourbillon Oculus 1297 collection, these two new timepieces are equipped with the manufacture dMc-980 calibre. Designed, developed, built and assembled in the Ateliers deMonaco manufacture, this patented tourbillon movement is called: Tourbillon XP1. It is one of the most precise in the world with a tolerance between 0 to 2 seconds per 24 hours.

These two automatic models have the Ateliers deMonaco signature rotor. The latest represents the Principality’s crown which is carefully hand-engraved in 22K gold.

For the first time, the manufacturer envelops its movement with an ultra-light black DLC titanium case.

The dial is made with the use of a new technology: a five axis laser. This latest innovation does not burn the material but enhances it giving the sought-after form. In this case, it is the signature symbol of Ateliers deMonaco: the lozenge. The mention Ateliers deMonaco is also written on the rim of the dial.

The two new models are recognizable by a small dial at 12 o’clock or in rose gold colour or in white gold colour. In order to be faithful to the Oculus model, an opening on the tourbillon’s cage at 6 o’clock allows us to see the heartbeat of the watch.

Lastly, to glorify the whole, the watch is mounted on a black alligator leather strap adorned with a hand-stitched and folding buckle in titanium black DLC for a more convenient use.

 

A Monegasque inspiration

In 1297, François Grimaldi, took the fortress of Monaco thanks to a stratagem: dressed like a Franciscan monk, he entered in the stronghold with one of his fellow soldiers. Once inside, he was able to open the door to his little army and seized the fortress.

Coat of Arms of the Grimaldi House pays tribute to this history because they are composed of:

“Comprises a silver shield decorated with red diamonds surrounded by the Order of St. Charles collar. It is placed on a red coat lined with ermine, topped by the royal crown.

Standing at each side of the shield are two monks brandishing raised swords. Below them is a banderol with the royal motto Deo Juvante (with God’s Help).”[1]

[1] http://www.palais.mc/en/the-institution/coat-of-arms-of-the-grimaldi-house-1-20.html