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PRESS RELEASE The new flagship in Wempe’s Zeitmeister line has everything onboard: time, calendar with moon phase and chronograph
Hamburg, 27 August 2014 – The Wempe Zeitmeister from Glashütte, which debuted in 2006, is a certified chronometer that represents the epitome of a reliable and accurately running wristwatch housed within a well-proportioned case. As the years have gone by, these excellent qualities have been augmented with additional mechanical functions such as a world time display, a chronograph to measure elapsed times and a full calendar with moon phase. Some people are content with a precise timekeeper, but others prefer somewhat “more” watch. Wempe satisfies both with the most complicated Zeitmeister ever made in Glashütte This watch line has evolved step by step since 2006. Prizewinning models outfitted with chronograph and full calendar including moon phase rank among our customers’ favourites. Now the two most popular horological complications are combined in this watch line’s new flagship, which will be launched simultaneously at all Wempe branches worldwide starting in October. The self-winding watch includes a chronograph, a full calendar and a lunar display. Never before has so much “Zeitmeister” been packed into a watch of moderate case proportions, measuring just 42 mm in diameter. The extraordinary potential of both short- and long-term time management provided by this watch is best proven by a concrete example. Let’s begin with the date of this new watch’s launch. 1 October 2014 is a Wednesday, and the earth’s satellite is a waxing half-moon. The chronometer accurately shows the time at 9:35:20 a.m. We have to leave for an appointment in an hour and a half, so we activate the chronograph, which henceforth indicates how much of the 90-minute interval has elapsed. But this is by no means all: if desired, the mechanical chronograph can add measured intervals up to 12 elapsed hours. Measurements can also be repeatedly interrupted and resumed. This watch also boasts a 24-hour display to guarantee unmistakable day-night orientation. A wreath of dates surrounds the dial, which is swept by a designated hand culminating in a little red sickle. Unlike the calendared snapshot shown in a conventional date window, this exceedingly practical date display provides intuitive orientation about the course of the entire month, instantly showing how much of the month has passed and how much time remains. Last but not least, the moon-phase display indicates the momentary appearance of our planet’s pale satellite. Many people believe that the moon strongly influences events on earth, regardless of the time of day or night or whether skies are clear or cloudy. Following new moon, the lunar disc on this wristwatch advances progressively across the The new flagship in Wempe’s Zeitmeister line has everything onboard: page 1 of 4
miniature stage of the dial until it is fully visible, when it gradually begins to wane. This feat is repeated every 29½ days by two moons on a moving disc: soon after the one moon has fully vanished on the right side, its companion’s slim crescent begins to appear on the left. This fascinating spectacle also eliminates the need for mnemonic tricks to distinguish between the waning and waxing moon, like “DOC”: D for waxing, O for full and C for waning moon in the northern hemisphere. The watch’s moon phase display simply moves clockwise. The observatory at home in Saxony’s watchmaking centre had already been restored and returned to operation when the Wempe Zeitmeister was born eight years ago. Ever since, Wempe’s timepieces have been manufactured nearby and certified as official chronometers by independent tests conducted according to DIN 8319. The tests taking place at Glashütte’s observatory are performed by the Offices of Weights and Measures in Thuringia and Saxony. Incidentally, this is the only German testing site for wristwatch chronometers. After completion and encasing, every Wempe Zeitmeister undergoes a 15-day testing procedure during which its rate is monitored and recorded in the five classic positions: crown left, crown up, crown down, dial up and dial down. These five directions correspond to the principal positions that the wristwatch will later be subject to in daily use. To pass the rate tests, the timepiece’s average daily rate must remain between -4 and +6 seconds; the average daily rate deviation must not exceed two seconds; and the greatest rate deviation must not be greater than five seconds. In addition to these rate tests, several temperature changes exacerbate conditions. The rate behaviour is also examined while complications are active, for example when the chronograph mechanism is running. Only after a Wempe Zeitmeister has successfully passed all these tests does it earn both its test certificate and the right to bear the noble title “chronometer” on its dial. Proudly adorned with a relief engraving of Glashütte’s observatory on its case back, it can now leave be sent along its way to its new owner. As its full name states, the Wempe Zeitmeister Glashütte i/SA Chronograph Moon Phase Full Calendar is an extraordinarily sophisticated timepiece with integrated and userfriendly additional functions. Its self-winding movement boasts a 48-hour power reserve. An antireflective sapphire crystal and water-resistance to five atmospheres contribute toward making this wristwatch perfectly suitable for daily wear. This stainless steel watch is available with either a silver-plated or black dial and is comes with either an alligatorskin strap or a steel bracelet.
For further information, please contact: Ms. Nadja Weisweiler c/o Gerhard D. Wempe KG Steinstrasse 23 D-20095 Hamburg, Germany phone: +49 (0) 40-33 44 8-847 fax: +49 (0) 40-33 44 8-666 e-mail:
[email protected] www.wempe.de
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FACTS WEMPE ZEITMEISTER Glashütte i/SA Chronograph Moon Phase Movement:
Calibre ETA 7751 (self-winding chronograph movement) with stop-seconds function and date display
Movement’s dimensions:
Round; diameter = 30.00 mm (13¼ lignes)
Height:
7.90 mm
Bearing jewels:
25
Escapement:
Swiss lever escapement
Oscillating system:
Balance frequency = 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
Power reserve:
48 hours
German chronometer:
German chronometer, officially certified according to DIN 8319
Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds and date display
Additional functions:
Chronograph: counters tally elapsed seconds, minutes and hours Full calendar: date, day of the week, month and moon phase 24-hour display
Technical modification: Operating elements:
Wempe’s own fine adjustment mechanism has been installed Crown for setting the hands; quick-set mechanism for the date, month, moon phase and winding; one corrector button to speedily reset the day of the week; two buttons for the chronograph functions
Case:
Stainless steel; diameter = 42 mm; height = 14.71 mm; screwdown case back with relief engraving of Glashütte observatory; water-resistant to five bar
Crystal:
Sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment on the inside
Strap:
Full-cut alligator skin, 20 mm wide at the lugs
Dials:
Silver-plated dial with steel markers The new flagship in Wempe’s Zeitmeister line has everything onboard: page 3 of 4
Black dial with steel markers Hands:
Rhodium-plated dauphine-style hands
Reference numbers and prices: WM530001 WM530002 WM530003 WM530004 Availability:
(silver plated) (black) (silver plated with steel bracelet) (black with steel bracelet)
£2,995 £2,995 £3,010 £3,010
Starting in October 2014 at all Wempe branches worldwide
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