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Metal, wood, water, fire and earth are five elements in ancient Chinese philosophy and fortune-telling. Swatch launches new Chi series watch is actually because of the population of Chinese elements. Of course, the meanings of Chi are especially important.

Chi is spirit.
Chi is vitality.
Chi is the key element for the circle running.
Chi is the balance for nature.

Metal
In five elements theory, people who have the features of metal are stouthearted, resolute and smart. This watch will not only add “gold” energy for wearer, but also bring wearer good fortune. As one of the best-selling watch series of Swatch watches all over the world, this “gold” watch makes women be more bright, active and fashionable. The shining gold demonstrates eternal nobility.

Wood
People owning the characteristics of wood are modest and introverted in five elements theory. The beauty of wood lies in its unique spirit. It shares good things with others, tolerate and warm other people. This watch will add you “wood” energy, raising your power of understanding and wisdom. As one of the best-selling watch series of Swatch watches all over the world, the unique metallic green design of “wood” watch makes women be more bright, active and fashionable. It expressed the distinct characteristic for kindness, toleration, sharing and warm.

Water
According to the five elements theory, people collected with water are flexible and pure. Let this watch brings you “water” energy. As a advertisement says, woman can’t live without water for a minute. Let this “water” watch accompanies you for every minute, you are the miracle. This watch expresses the release of self, purity, and free of romantic personality.

Fire
Identically, in the five elements theory, people who are collected with fire are always full of energy. They actively pursue their dreams. This “fire” watch symbolizes the passion, courage and beauty of woman. It will always give you confidence and make you be the attractive queen.

Earth
According to the five elements theory, people collected with earth are all faithful, sincere and hard-working. In recent years, earth color has always stood in the front of fashion circle. If you want to be a trend-spotter, it is absolutely your best choice.

Vacheron Constantin will soon launch new “Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e” series watch. The Maki-e craft will be completed in Japan, which is the first time that Vacheron Constantin finishes its part of watch manufacturing processes in other place rather then Geneva. In fact, the mysterious Maki-e craft can be traced back to the traditional lacquer decoration technics in ancient Japan.

This collection symbolizes human’s spirit of adventure, is a process to explore the unknown world. This symbolizes Vacheron Constantin’s creativity and heralds the infinite possibilities integrating watchmaking and traditional decoration craft.

Being faithful to the spirit of Métiers d’Art artists, symbolique des laques Maki-e watch series will launch watches with different theme in three years. So we can see three brand-new watches every year. There will be various themes, including the large and far-reaching Far East traditional arts. The design ideas are all come from animals, plants and minerals, which contains some meanings of their own. There are design ideas come from literature, poetry, legend, or other materials.

In the production of watches, Vacheron Constantin has selected 1003, 14K white gold hollow ultra-thin mechanical movement. In order to highlight harmony and exquisite Maki-e craft of these watches, Vacheron Constantin even used plated ruthenium treatment, so the luster of gold will be softer. Sapphire crystal glass make people enjoy exquisite decorative patterns, especially the slope cutting workmanship finished in factory of Geneva.  

At the same time, the simple lines of circular case show watches’ connotation and purity, echoes the meaning of “Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e” watch.

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e watch theme: Longevity
The pine, bamboo and plum are the “three friends of winter”. The theme of the first set Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e watch is their symbolic meaning. These three kinds of trees were introduced to Japan from China at an early age and received greatly in Japan like in China. As these three kinds of plants can all withstand cold weather, “three friends of winter” stands for longevity, which symbolizes a fair-weather friendship.

Pine is highly respected because of its longevity, tonicity and evergreen in winter. Bamboo is described as a gentleman, it can both adapt to the new environment and will not abandon the ideal. Plum is respected because even in cold weather, it still first flower, and it is the longest-lived tree. For Chinese and Japanese people, they should learn to be strong as a pine, staunch as a bamboo and pure as a plum.

Vacheron Constantin Calibre 1003 Movement
Movement: 1003 SQ, hollow 14K gold, plated ruthenium treatment; self-developed by Vacheron Constantin; cast the “Geneva Seal”
Power: Manual winding mechanical movement
Movement thickness: 1.64 millimeters
Movement diameter: 20.80 millimeters
Gem: 18
Vibration frequency: 18,000 times per hour
Display Function: hours, minutes,
Power reserve: approximately 30 hours

When seeing longevous pine and crane, we will reminiscent of long years of experience; bamboo matching with the bird, sparrow’s boundless energy symbolizes the rising vitality of bamboo; finally, plum accompanied by Nightingale, plum welcomes spring being in bloom, and nightingale sings to welcome spring: they symbolizes the return of spring.  

Vacheron Constantin carefully selected out these three pairs of patterns, double-sided design with Maki-e technique. In accordance with the Japanese tradition, on the surface of watch is painted plant patterns, the back is animal design.

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e Watch: Pine and Crane
Pine is very popular in Japan because of its curved shape and texture. But in art and literature, pine is indeed the traditional plant from China. Pine is evergreen tree, which symbolizes longevity and immortality.

As pine, the crane is symbol of longevity and elegance. It is the most mysterious bird as the Phoenix in east legend. It is said that cranes can live thousands of years. But when it is 600 years old it will only drink cold water for a living. In Taoist mythology, the crane is angel. In addition to its mythical image, Japanese are attracted by its elegant and beautiful feather. In winter, all Japanese are looking forward to the advent of cranes. They even regard crane as a harbinger of wealth.

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e Watch: Bamboo and Sparrow
In Taoism, as well as the Buddhist legend, the tubular structure of bamboo symbolizes “empty”, which stands for tolerance and enlightened ideas. Bamboo has flexible and firm features. It is the symbol of upright and outspoken personality.

Although the life of bamboo is shorter than pine, it also represents longevity. Single shoots can not survive for a long time, but the whole bamboo grove is formed by shoots.

Bamboo grove has great attraction to sparrows. In Japan, sparrow is the symbol of loyalty and responsibility. Bamboo and Sparrow often appear in the drawing of Buddhism, bamboo stands for spiritual awareness and relief of secular, sparrow represents spontaneity and joy of life.

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e Watch: Plum and Nightingale
Plum is famous for its fine and blossoms in winter. The faint scent distributes in cold winter, reminding the arrival of spring. Although the plum trees and flowers are not spectacular, its refined and elegant characteristics bring a little embellishment of lonely winter. It’s the symbol of inner beauty and humility.

The collocation of Plum Blossom and Nightingale derived from Japanese culture. They are both messengers of spring: the first singing of Nightingale is called hatsune. Plum and Nightingale usually appeared in the art and poetry.

“The prestigious key, which marks the Corum creations, opens the doors of time and is the best symbol of the work always more perfect and more complete.” René Bannwart

La Chaux-de-Fonds, January 13, 2010
At a time when the brand celebrates several anniversaries, its founding father, René Bannwart, bows out. In the privacy of the family, to respect his wishes, a final tribute was paid to him in La Chaux-de-Fonds Friday, January 15, 2010. Black on the story of a discreet entrepreneur with a confirmed creative talent.

Born March 16, 1915 in Zurich, René Bannwart spent his childhood in Basel before joining Geneva to study at the Business School where he developed his passion for business.

With a watchmaking experience acquired from the most prestigious watch manufacturers, René Bannwart began his professional adventure at Patek Philippe in 1933 before joining Omega in 1940 where he established the first creative department and launched watch models which still today remain the talking pieces of the Brand. At Omega, he strengthened his expertise in watchmaking during 15 years. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a will to create his own watches, he founded Corum in 1955 with his uncle Gaston Ries. In 1958, he signed his first success with the model “Sans Heures” where time was only indicated by the hands on the dial. In 1966, a new interpretation of his model is embodied with the model Romvlvs (today one of the 4 key pillar of Corum) whose hours in Roman numerals are engraved on the bezel.

René Bannwart known for his humanist and aesthetic values has been able to reach his ambition by creating a Company that shines today in the constellation of the Haute Horlogerie. He leaves behind him as much a beautiful human than a watchmaking tale. Passionate and generous, he earned the trust and deep respect of his colleagues, clients and employees by building lasting friendships and sincere relationships.

Loyal to the golden rule used in creation, he was known for his sense of detail and artistic qualities. The strong creativity instilled by René Bannwart to Corum has been expressed, throughout its history, by many outstanding creations.

In 1958, launch of the Golden Tube model, a tube of gold in which the movement is inserted. This creation is behind the famous Golden Bridge model (1980), the first baguette movement that symbolizes the technical and watchmaking mastery of Corum and now part of the CORUM BRIDGES pillar.

In 1960, the fist interpretation of the “Admiral’s Cup” model with a square case was developed. This was the first ever water-resistant square watch. In 1983, the famous Admiral’s Cup was reinterpreted in its emblematic design version (twelve-sided bezel, 12 nautical pennants) helping it to become the leader.

In 1964, the “Coin Watch” without back cover was created with an ultra-flat movement that is set in an authentic gold coin, a ﹩20 Double Eagle Coin, a model worn by numerous U.S. Presidents and prominent civilians alike, a timepiece that sparkles in the ARTISANS collection.

The watchmaking history and the watch aficionados will also remember the feathers dial (1970), the Rolls-Royce model (1976) pioneering the partnerships with the prestigious car manufacturer Brands, as well as the meteorite dials (1986) and the Tabogan watch (1997) whose ingenious mechanism allowing the watch to be turned into a table clock which has been patented.

In 2010, Corum celebrates its 55^th anniversary and celebrates the half century of the Admiral’s Cup collection whose iconic design has been creates at the time by the son of Rene, Jean- René Bannwart; and 30 years of the Golden Bridge. The heritage which was founded in the heart and skill of one man, René Bannwart, has provided to the Brand deep and solid toots which has been revived by its current CEO Antonio Calce, who has taken back the fundamental strategy of the Brand since his arrival in 2005.

Some words of Antonio Calce, CEO of Corum, which talks about the human qualities and the talent of René Bannwart: “Today marks the end of a chapter for the Corum history. I have deeo respect and admiration for René Bannwart, a man who wrote a chapter in the history of watchmaking and has created a Brand with a strong credibility and legitimacy in creation while adding technical and watchmaking content. Through his work, know-how and motivation, René Bannwart brought Corum to the top of the watchmaking art in the 80s. By instilling a powerful creative identity, he strongly anchored the Brand DNA providing strong roots and enhancing its notoriety. I am so honored since 2005 to continue to carry Corum on the path of success and especially to develop its potential. The Wunderman family and the Corum family join me to convey their most sincere thoughts to, his son Jean- René Bannwart and his wife Grischka, his family and loved ones”.