JEANRICHARD launches new Aquascope timepiece

aquascope
JEANRICHARD launches new Aquascope timepiece to
celebrate 150 years of SwissJapanese diplomatic relations
T
okyo, JAPAN (February 6, 2014) – The Swiss watchmaker
JEANRICHARD launched today the latest addition to its Aquascope
collection. This new timepiece was conceived to celebrate the 150 years of SwissJapanese relations in 2014. Its special dial design is derived from a well-known
Japanese woodblock print by renowned artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760 – 1849).
“The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is amongst his best known works from “The
Thirty-Six Vews of Mount Fuji”.
“We are proud to unveil this special model as a homage to this anniversary between
Switzerland and Japan”, said Bruno Grande, CEO of JEANRICHARD. “As Daniel
Jeanrichard is the first Swiss watchmaker to have ever built a watch movement back
in 1681, we appreciate the pioneering spirit of the delegation that came to Japan
150 years ago. It is easily imagined that the delegation was strongly driven by their
passion for success and pursuit to achieve something extraordinary. And what better
way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the two countries than to create unique
timepieces by a Swiss watchmaker that pays respect to one of Japan’s greatest
artists ever – Katsushika Hokusai”.
Katsuhika Hokusai (1760 – 1849) is probably the best ukiyo-e artist in Japanese history.
Hokusai produced a tremendous amount of outstanding prints and paintings which have
made him famous over the years.
jeanrichard.com
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aquascope
“
F
rom the age of five I have had a mania for sketching the forms
of things. From about the age of fifty I produced a number of
designs, yet of all I drew prior to the age of seventy there is truly nothing of
great note. At the age of seventy-two I finally apprehended something of the
true quality of birds, animals, insects, fish and of the vital nature of grasses and
trees. Therefore, at eighty I shall have made some progress, at ninety I shall
have penetrated even further the deeper meaning of things, at one hundred
I shall have become truly marvellous, and at one hundred and ten, each dot,
each line shall surely possess a life of its own. I only beg that gentlemen of
sufficiently long life take care to note the truth of my words.“ -(Hokusai)Hokusai was a man who pursued his art all his life. Lived his life to the fullest,
savouring the best of each moment. He is a man who enjoyed everyday
adventurers, authenticity and who made no compromises, be that on quality
or on design. Hokusai had an independent spirit, scorned conventions and
played by his own rules, travelling off the beaten paths. – Qualities of a true
JEANRICHARD man - perfectly matching JEANRICHARD’s Philosophy of Life
brand concept.
ABOUT 150 YEARS OF SWISS-JAPANESE RELATIONS
It was 150 years ago on February 6, 1864, when a Friendship and Trade Treaty
was signed between Switzerland and Japan. It was in the final years of the
Edo period (1602-1868) when Japan opened its boarders to foreign trade. Aimé
Humbert-Droz, a native of Neuchâtel, was mandated in April 1861 by the Swiss
Federal Council to conduct an official delegation to Japan with the intention
to seize this opportunity to open new markets for the Swiss watch industry
and the textile manufacturers in Eastern Switzerland. A proponent of liberalism,
Humbert served as president of the Watchmakers Association and was a
member of the Swiss Council of States. He ultimately played an instrumental
role in concluding the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Switzerland
and Japan. Humbert landed in Yokohama harbor on April 27, 1863, on the Dutch
warship Medusa. From his arrival onward, he tirelessly pursued negotiations
with the Japanese authorities. Finally, on February 6, 1864, representatives
from the Tokugawa shogunate and Humbert’s delegation signed the Treaty
of Friendship and Commerce - the eighth such treaty signed by Japan with a
foreign country. As a consequence, Swiss trading houses in Yokohama were
among the leading exporters of Japanese silk in the 19th century and in return,
Switzerland exported fabrics and watches in significant quantities. The trade of
Swiss watches to Japan flourished ever since.
jeanrichard.com
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aquascope
ABOUT JEANRICHARD
JEANRICHARD watches have been conceived for all those who enjoy
challenges, revel in the unknown, and would like to live their lives to
the fullest, savouring the best of each moment. These are the everyday
adventurers, who enjoy authenticity and will make no compromises, be that
on quality or on design. They are independent spirits who scorn conventions
and play by their own rules, travelling off the beaten paths. The art of life
JEANRICHARD timepieces come in four different collections, each paying
tribute to the elements of our universe: Terrascope, Aquascope, Aeroscope
and 1681. Earth, water, air, plus the fire of passion that has inspired our
brand for over three centuries and has excited sophisticated globetrotters
every day anew.
ABOUT Katsuhika Hokusai (1760-1849)
Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist, ukiyo-e painter and printmaker
of the Edo period. He was influenced by such painters as Sesshu, and
other styles of Chinese painting Born in Edo (now Tokyo), Hokusai is best
known as author of the woodblock print series Thirty-six Views of Mount
Fuji, which includes the internationally recognized print, The Great Wave off
Kanagawa, created during the 1820s.
The different collections are to be found on:
www.jeanrichard.com.
Technical specifications
60400-11E202-FK6A
pictures here >
Polished and vertically satin-finished
stainless steel case
Circular satin-finished
stainless steel bezel
Unidirectional rotating bezel
44.00 mm
Height: 13.05 mm
Antireflective sapphire crystal
Case-back, screwed-down, engraved
Screwed-down crown
Water-resistant to 300 m
Movement JR60,
self-winding
Calibre: 11 ½’’’
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)
Jewels: 26
Power reserve: minimum 38 hours
Functions: hour, minute, second, date
White, grey, blue or black “Hokusai”
style engraved dial
Applied rhodium-coated indexes
with luminescent material
Rhodium-coated hands
with luminescent material
Blue or black rubber strap or
stainless steel bracelet
Stainless steel folding or
butterfly buckle
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