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Your search term 'Nicolas G. Hayek' returned 20 results

» Commemorative ceremony for Nicolas G. Hayek

 Guests are welcome to attend[…] … Hayek to make a donation to “Médecins sans frontières” in Geneva[…] … Postal check 12-100-2 or bank account UBS 1211 Geneva 2, SWIFT CODE UBSWCHZH80A, IBAN CH18 0024 0240 3760 6600Q (“in commemoration of Nicolas G. Hayek”)[…]

» Swatch Group invests in Biel

The Swatch Group is planning new buildings for Swatch and Omega and a renovation and redesign of existing buildings at its premises on Rue Jakob Stämpfli in Biel / Bienne[…] … Under the project lead of Hayek Engineering construction is set to begin in November of 2012[…] … Two of Switzerland’s most important brands are planning to construct new buildings allowing them to expand their headquarters in Biel / Bienne[…] … The surrounding area was purchased specifically for the project[…] … The plans include three additional buildings that are being constructed according to the latest environmental and energy-efficiency criteria[…] … They are being planned to respect the existing architectural and urban design already in the area[…] … An architectural competition was held in 2010 to select a suitable building concept[…] … The jury’s choice was the proposal by the world-famous Japanese architect Shigeru Ban (Mr[…] … Ban had already designed the Nicolas G. Hayek Center with the «Climbing Garden» in Tokyo, Japan)[…] … His proposal was particularly convincing with its pragmatic and brand-specific designs for each building. In addition, it takes the existing landscape into account and thoughtfully integrates Omega’s listed buildings from the early days of industrialization[…] …  A new central building along the Gottstattstrasse will combine functional areas for the two brands under one roof and accommodate other Swatch Group units[…] … The building, which is slightly elevated on pillars, will also serve as a meeting area for visitors and pedestrians[…] … Independent museum spaces for Swatch, Omega, and Swatchmobile, equipped with the latest interactive technologies, offer their guests an opportunity to explore the worlds of watchmaking and the pioneering days of the battery-operated Swatchmobile[…] … In the landscaping of the business areas, the existing, protected groups of trees are being considered and supplemented with new plantings of trees and greenery[…] … At the southern edge of the site a hiking trail will be located along the river bank, adding to the recreation area of this part of the city[…] … Nestled between Omega’s historic buildings and the new central building elevated on pillars, a visitors’ entrance is being created in the form of a square to be called the «Omega Plaza»[…] … From Rue Jakob Stämpfli there will be access to the interior of the business area and the entrances to the museums via a ring road[…] … The new Swatch buildings feature curved wooden construction that runs from the north-east towards the city centre along Rue Jakob Stämpfli and cross above Gottstattstrasse where they are connected to the new central building. At the contact point between the two buildings is a public meeting area, the «Hayek Plaza[…] … » This section of Gottstattstrasse will be a pedestrian zone with a speed limit, according to the new zoning map of the city of Biel / Bienne[…] … The central building, which is being created in timber frame construction, will have administrative offices and shared conference rooms in addition to the museums for Swatch, Omega and Swatchmobile[…] … The central building will be connected to the Swatch Building on the opposite side of the road by a bridge over the Gottstattstrasse[…] … On the western Omega area will be the brand’s Production and Logistics Building, also in timber frame construction[…] … It is to house the various production departments, training and exhibition spaces and offices[…] … An educational pathway will allow visitors a view of some of the brand’s production activities inside the building. The elongated Swatch Building, with its modern, semi-circular timber frame structure, will be the brand’s new Headquarters[…] … The front-most part of the building, which is connected to the Central building, has space dedicated to all areas with direct customer contact, including showrooms, customer service and a Swatch store[…] … In the central part of the building are the offices of the management, administration, marketing and sales[…] … The rear of the building opens onto Rue Jakob Stämpfli[…] … Delivery and collection area as well as storage rooms are located there[…] … It is anticipated that the buildings will be ready for occupancy in the summer of 2015[…]

» Master watchmaker Dr. George Daniels died

George Daniels CBE died on Friday 21 October 2011 at his home on the Isle of Man[…] … Daniels had worked in his profession for more than sixty years and in the course of his life was presented with more honours than any other horologist[…] … George Daniels was a past Master of the Clockmaker’s Company in London and past President of the Horological Institute[…] … He was awarded the Tompion Gold Medal of the Clockmaker’s Company, the Gold Medal of the British Horological Institute, the Gold Medal of the City of London Guild and the Kullberg Medal of the Stockholm Watchmakers’ Guild[…] … In 2010, he was made a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to watchmaking. Dr[…] … He was confident that the Co-Axial escapement would change mechanical watchmaking forever[…] … In an interview in 2009 he said that he thought it unlikely that there would ever be another breakthrough as dramatic as his invention[…] … ”Finding a partner who could industrialize the escapement proved challenging. He presented it to the world's leading watch companies but only Nicolas Hayek, the late Chairman of the Swatch Group, saw the potential of the invention and in the early nineties acquired the technology and engaged Daniels to work with OMEGA's technicians[…] … OMEGA produced its first movement fitted with a Co-Axial escapement in 1999 and introduced its proprietary Co-Axial calibre built around the escapement in 2007[…] … Today, with very few exceptions, all of OMEGA's mechanical watches are equipped with Co-Axial movements[…] … When George Daniels was asked if he thought that in time, the Co-Axial would be the most widely used escapement in the construction of new mechanical watches, he said, “The watch industry is by nature very conservative and slow to adopt new things[…] … OMEGA have been able to show that the Co-Axial escapement can be serially produced on a large scale so while it will take some doing to convince the mechanical watch industry, it’s just a matter of time[…] … ”Daniels’ legacy includes not only the Co-Axial escapement but a number of popular books about watchmaking and some remarkable timepieces[…] … He was one of the only watchmakers in the world who could create every part – including the screws – by hand[…] … George Daniels was asked in 2009 if he was surprised by the renewed popularity of the mechanical watches[…] … My mantra has long been that the survival of the mechanical watch is ensured by its qualities: it is historic, technical, intellectual, aesthetic, useful and even amusing. These properties have sustained the popularity of mechanical watches through the ages and are bound to carry it well into the future[…] … One of the real benefits of the Co-Axial escapement: it will play a major role of extending the popularity of mechanical watches into the 21st century and beyond[…] … ”When George Daniels was asked if he was pleased with OMEGA’s series production of the Co-Axial escapement, he said, “When OMEGA made the commitment to produce the Co-Axial escapement at a series production level I was very pleased[…] … They were brave enough to take on this revolutionary technology in the face of a lot of criticism and scepticism from the rest of the industry[…] … At the time, there was no praise for OMEGA and there was certainly none for me[…] … Working with others was a new experience for me and I very much enjoyed the relationship that developed between OMEGA, its technicians and me[…] … The end product is most satisfying to see working and it is of course a thrill for an inventor to see his aspirations fulfilled so perfectly[…] … George Daniels was one of the most important figures in the history of horology and OMEGA was privileged to work closely with him on industrializing the Co-Axial escapement he was so rightfully proud of[…] … He will be missed by the entire industry and his contributions to watchmaking will never be forgotten[…]

» Inauguration of the A.-L. Breguet - How watchmaking conquered the world exhibition

Hayek, President of Montres Breguet SA and Nicole Minder, Director of the Swiss National Museum – Château de Prangins, inaugurated the exhibition entitled “A[…] … Breguet[…] … How watchmaking conquered the world” by holding a press conference[…] … Several dozen journalists from around the world congregated in the courtyard of the Swiss National Museum – Château de Prangins, on the shores of Lake Leman, to discover a retrospective of the work of A[…] … Breguet (1747-1823), presented for the first time in Switzerland, the native land of this renowned watchmaker[…] … Among other items on display, they were able to admire several notebooks containing manuscripts of Breguet’s “watchmaking treatise project” acquired by Nicolas G. Hayek in a May 2010 auction in Geneva, along with the travel clock acquired by Napoleon, and the Marie -Antoinette watch completed in 2008 by the Breguet watchmakers[…] … The day continued with an official inauguration that also welcomed those who had kindly loaned some of the pieces on show, as well as museum curators and clients of the brand[…]

» OMEGA comes to Florida's Aventura Mall

OMEGA opened the newest member of its flagship boutique network at the popular Aventura Mall near Miami[…] … The 888-square-foot OMEGA Boutique offers the brand’s entire product palette[…] … The opening was celebrated with a dinner at the Soho Beach House in the company of OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart who was joined by members of the press and invited guests from the Miami area[…] …   The Aventura Boutique extends a network which is one of the defining parts of OMEGA’s retail strategy[…] … In December of 2000, the late Nicolas Hayek, then Chairman of the Swatch Group, made a bold announcement at the grand opening of the first OMEGA Boutique in Zurich[…] … He said that OMEGA’s ambitious goal was to expand the corporate boutique network to include 50 retail shops devoted exclusively to OMEGA products within ten years[…] …   By 2008, OMEGA had already met that target[…] …  The Aventura store, as one of fourteen OMEGA boutiques scheduled to open in the United States in 2011, is a central component of the next phase of the brand’s retail growth[…] … We are in a strong position thanks to our global success and we believe in America[…] … We are confident that it is an ideal time to make this major commitment there,” said Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA[…]

» Montres Breguet opens a new embassy in Zurich

On December 9th 2010, Montres Breguet is inaugurating a new boutique on one of Zurich’s most prestigious shopping avenues[…] … After Geneva, Paris, Moscow, New York and Shanghai, to mention but a few, the brand is consolidating its worldwide presence by taking its place on the famous Bahnhofstrasse[…] … The Breguet watch collections are presented in an exclusive new 420m2 three-floor showcase highlighting the brand’s values and expertise within a plush, elegant atmosphere[…] … The ambiance pervading the premises stems from an architectural and aesthetic concept focused on refinement and understatement[…] … The design gives pride of place to the inimitable Breguet attributes, and each and every detail serves to accentuate the beauty of the watches on display[…] … The engraved glass walls are inspired by the art of guilloché-work and their royal blue colour pays tribute to that of the “à tact” watch ordered by Empress Josephine in 1799[…] … The anodised aluminium rods separating the various areas are reminiscent of the finely fluted pattern adorning the cases of Breguet timepieces[…] … The recurrent elliptical motif on the floor and ceiling echo the iconic oval shape of the Reine de Naples watch, the first wristwatch created for Caroline Murat by A[…] … Breguet in 1810[…] … Breguet Museum On the upper floor, the Breguet Museum presents the history of a brand that has contributed through its decisive inventions and numerous patents to enriching the Swiss horological heritage and to building its international reputation[…] … Breguet undoubtedly possesses the finest treasures a Fine Watchmaking brand could ever dream of[…] … Its creations have consistently exercised a powerful fascination on the world’s most eminent figures, and the long list of patrons includes such stellar names as Napoleon Bonaparte, Tsar Alexander the 1st, Winston Churchill, Queen Marie-Antoinette, as well as Louis XVIII and Sergei Rachmaninov[…] … The brand has established itself over the centuries as synonymous with beauty, prestige and elegance[…] … Perpetuating this legacy, the Breguet museum in the Zurich boutique hosts a collection of historical pieces acquired over the past ten years under the impetus of Nicolas G. Hayek, acquired at auction and stemming from institutions and private collections[…] … After this journey to the past, a more intimate lounge area enables visitors to take time to savour the historical atmosphere of the place by leafing through various books on the brand[…]

» OMEGA reopens boutique in Zurich

When the Zurich boutique opened in 2000, it was the first in what was to become OMEGA’s network of corporate flagship stores[…] … At the time, the Swatch Group’s late chairman, Nicolas G. Hayek announced that within ten years, OMEGA would have fifty flagship boutiques at the world’s best retail addresses[…] … OMEGA reached the goal in 2008 and now there are more than sixty[…] … The OMEGA Boutique’s renovations incorporate the brand’s global design concept; now, the original store is consistent with those around the world[…] … The interior features natural materials in warm, inviting colours as well as subtle, sophisticated lighting. Visitors feel comfortable as soon as they enter the “House of OMEGA”[…] … OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart said, “The flagship stores are a key part of our brand program – not just to sell watches, but to create an ideal environment to showcase the world of OMEGA[…] … The boutique in Zurich was the first and we always think of it fondly as where our global network began[…] … ” The OMEGA Boutique in Zurich is located at Bahnhofstrasse 52[…] … It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a[…]

» The new REINE DE NAPLES watch

Breguet’s first wristwatch made for Caroline Murat, queen of Naples[…] … The success of this model since its launch in 2002 attests to the talent of Breguet’s watchmakers under the direction of Nicolas G. Hayek[…] … The original shape of the case promises an astonishing timepiece, entirely feminine and exquisitely sensual[…] … This year the REINE DE NAPLES 8918 stretches the imagination with bewitching extravagance[…] … The case, in yellow or white gold has a raised bezel delicately paved with diamonds[…] … Light teases across a mother-of-pearl face adorned with an exuberance of elastic Breguet numerals[…] … Gone are the moon-phase and power-reserve indicator of the first REINE DE NAPLES models, but the hours and minutes remain off -centre in a diamond-set, engine-turned dial[…] … A pear-cut diamond splinters light at 6 o’clock[…] … Challenging convention, the new REINE DENAPLES watches are the expression of today’s free spirits and demonstrate Breguet’s vitality in the enthusiasm of its craftsmen and women[…]

» Brequet, Blancpain, Omega and Swatch open flagship stores

The opening of the ground floor of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel took place at 26th May 2010 in Shanghai with four exceptional boutiques in a grandiose architectural environment[…] … The Swatch Art Peace Hotel, an emblematic historical building located at the corner of the Bund and Nanjing Road, reopened today after several years of restoration work that will enable it to welcome the public in the boutiques of four of Swatch Group’s most prestigious brands – Blancpain, Breguet, Omega and Swatch[…] … Under the leadership and creative guidance of the Swatch Group, the Swatch Art Peace Hotel project’s innovative operational concept blends a retail environment with a hotel where artists live and work[…] … At the outset of the project, Swatch Group appointed Parisian agency Jouin Manku to develop a comprehensive design for the hotel interiors that assured due respect for the heritage and historical importance of the building. For the retail space opening today, Jouin Manku developed a unique environment for the Swatch boutique[…] … Leading Swatch Group brands Breguet, Blancpain and Omega are also represented with boutiques of their own, featuring the period décor and cultural ambience of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel[…] … A grand opening of the fully restored building is planned for August 2010, when the Swatch Art Peace Hotel will begin to welcome working artists from around the world to its splendid venues[…] … Artists from a range of creative disciplines will be selected by a committee to ensure that a broad spectrum of nationalities is represented[…] … At present, the members of the Artist Selection Committee are: Nicolas G. Hayek and Georges N[…] … Hayek, Chairman and CEO of the Swatch Group; Esther Grether, Board Member of the Swatch Group; George Clooney, actor; François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR; Mikhail Kusnirovich, Chairman of the Strategic Development Committee of GUM; and Sir Francis Yeoh, Chairman, YTL Group[…] … The Swatch Art Peace Hotel Residence comprises 7 guest suites designed by Jouin Manku[…] … Swatch Group has appointed Singapore-based YTL Hotels to manage the Residence and to operate the Shook[…]

» The Breguet museum makes watchmaking history

The Breguet museum, under the auspices of Dr Nicolas Hayek, president and CEO of Montres Breguet S[…] … , purchased the most important horological document in existence for a record-breaking CHF 2[…] … 3 million, creating a cliff-hanging end to Patrizzi & Co’s 7 May Geneva auction[…] … Thanks to a total commitment and aggressive bidding, the Breguet museum ensured that this historic manuscript has finally returned home[…] … Five years before his death Breguet began to set down his horological memoirs for posterity[…] … He dictated all his horological experience, innovations and secrets to his assistant Louis Moinet[…] … Simply written, it offered in-depth explanations from which other watchmakers could learn and understand Breguet's secrets, and from which they could incorporate his experiences and ideas into their own work[…] … The recent discovery of this work completely changes our understanding of the history of horology and our attitudes to and knowledge of watchmaking. During the bidding, this historic Breguet manuscript was offered provisionally as seven separate lots, and from the outset it was clear from the number of bidders on the telephone and in the room who aggressively bid for the first lot in this manuscript group (lot 311), that history was about to be made[…] … The bidding was feverish and fierce and quickly arrived at more than four times the lot’s initial estimate[…] … This phenomenon was repeated with each lot in the manuscript group, with several of the lots, in particular lots 315 and 316, which cover Breguet’s thoughts on the tourbillion and Marine chronometers respectively, achieving more than eight times their initial estimate[…] … Since no one clear owner of the manuscript had emerged, the manuscript was then auctioned as one complete lot with the starting bid being the total of the provisional highest bids, so allowing the possibility of keeping the manuscript entire for posterity[…]

» Construction Site Celebration: German Watch Museum Glashütte – Nicolas G. Hayek

On March 14, Glashütte Original invited workers to a traditional “building celebration” in order to mark the end of the first construction phase and to thank all of those involved for their efforts[…] … Because of the mild winter, the demolition work, the gutting of the building���s interior as well as the foundation draining proceeded rapidly and were completed on time[…] … The construction work for the German Watch Museum Glashütte started on December 12, 2006 in the historic building of the former German Watchmakers’ School[…] … At the beginning of March, invitations to tender for the structural work were issued and these were assigned at the end of that same month[…] … At the beginning of April, an entire floor as well as the roof were then removed to reconstitute the historical state of the building. The call for tenders for work on a new roof has also been carried out[…] … Following the completion of the roof truss, a traditional topping-out ceremony is planned for the end of June 2007[…] … The opening of the new experience-orientated museum is scheduled for May 2008, month of the 130th anniversary of the foundation of the German Watchmakers’ School[…]

» Presentation of the foundation charter for the German watch museum in Glashütte

After its historical creation in March 2006, the foundation charter for the "German Watch Museum - Nicolas G. Hayek" was officially presented in the Atrium of the Glashütte Original manufactory[…] … Following Dr[…] … Hanspeter Rentsch of the Swatch Group plc management board took the floor and reaffirmed the support of the Swiss watch company for the foundation’s ambitious plans[…] … Henry Hasenpflug, district president of the Free State of Saxony, praised the founders’ social dedication and presented the charter to the mayor of Glashütte, Mr[…] … Frank Reichel, and to the managing director of Glashütte Original, Dr[…] … In his speech, Mayor Frank Reichel pointed out that the German watch museum’s presence in the heart of Glashütte would lead to the creation of a unique place preserving the town’s cultural heritage while supporting the watchmaker trade, education and science[…] … He thanked all of those involved in establishing Glashütte as a centre for the finest watchmaker art nationally and internationally[…] … The opening of the "German Watch Museum - Nicolas G. Hayek" is planned for the spring of 2008 after extensive renovation and restoration work on the historical building[…]

» Historical Establishment of the German Watch Museum Glashütte

The gonging of a vintage Glashütte grandfather clock by Karl W[…] … Höhnel at exactly 12:00 on March 16, 2006, in the Glashütte Original manufactory’s atrium marked the historical establishment of the German Watch Museum Glashütte - Nicolas G. Hayek foundation[…] …  For this occasion, CEO of Swatch Group AG, Nick Hayek, jr[…] … , journeyed from Switzerland to join local mayor Frank Reichel and Glashütte Original’s managing director Dr[…] … Frank Müller to seal the foundation’s establishment by signing the official paperwork[…] … After welcoming remarks by Dr[…] … Frank Müller, Peter Schöne, a student of the former German School of Watchmaking, related some of his memories during his education there as well as from his life as a watchmaker in Glashütte[…] …   This was followed by addresses from the mayor and Nick Hayek, jr[…] … , who enthusiastically announced future plans in his speech: "Our message is loud and clear: We believe in this location and we are lending a hand here[…] … "  In front of about one hundred invited guests, as well as just about all of Glashütte Original's employees, the three men - dressed in white watchmaker's coats - took the stage[…] … There the prepared foundation papers awaited them, ready for signatures, on a watchmaker's bench[…] … With this new establishment of the German Watch Museum Glashütte - Nicolas G. Hayek foundation, more than just a cornerstone for the renovation and maintenance of the watch museum of the city of Glashütte was laid[…] … This building will also be used as a library, an archive, and for further activities aimed at maintaining the cultural inheritance of the watch location Glashütte[…] …   The inauguration of the historical building housing the German Watch Museum Glashütte - Nicolas G. Hayek is planned for May 2008 after a thorough renovation phase[…]

» THE IOC AND SWATCH GROUP LTD SIGN LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP

The Swatch Group Ltd[…] … will be the Official Timekeeper and Results Service Partner for the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens in 2004, the XX Olympic Winter Games in Turin in 2006, as well as the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 Olympic Winter Games[…] … Following its success at the Atlanta and at the Sydney Olympic Games, the IOC selected The Swatch Group Ltd[…] … to undertake the Timing and Scoring Services delivery and has also elected to extend their mandate to include On-Venue Results Services[…] … The agreement also foresees the provision of similar services for the 2004 to 2010 Paralympic Games[…] … Commenting on the partnership, Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Swatch Group Ltd[…] … , suggested “the Olympic Games are not only the greatest sports event in the world, they are much more then a sporting event - the Games are an emotional festival and the most perfect, peaceful and warmhearted competition between the youth[…] … The Olympic Games fit perfectly with Swatch’s strategy[…] … ” The IOC President Jean Antonio Samaranch said “The Swatch Group has been a long standing Partner of the Olympic Movement, developing the necessary equipment and know-how, continuously training their experts[…] … The Swatch Group has been, with a very few exceptions, the timekeeper of practically all the Olympic Games of the 20th century[…] … The IOC is very pleased to be extending its relationship with the Swatch Group over the next decade[…] … ” The agreement marks the first time that the IOC has entered into a long term agreement for the provision of Timing, Scoring and Venue Results Services[…] … The partnership further reinforces the IOC’s strategy to develop a long term technology consortium, lead by the Sema Group as the systems integrator and composed of a small core of key technology partners to ensure the successful delivery and transfer of knowledge from one Olympic Games to the next[…]

» The Swatch Group sells its smart participation to Daimler-Benz

After the successful introduction of the smart car in Europe and considering the withdrawal of MCC for the construction of the hybrid model, the Swatch Group decided to sell its minority shareholding in MCC and offered its shares to Daimler-Benz[…] … With numerous collaborators, the Swatch Group has intensively contributed to the concept and the development of the smart car, including its production and market introduction as well as the construction of the assembly plant[…] … The objective of the 100% transfer of the shares to the majority shareholder consists in the full exploitation of the advantages of the new DaimlerChrysler Group to overcome the difficulties of the next years[…] … Hybrid: The technical examination of the integration of the hybrid SwatchMobil system unveiled almost insurmountable space problems resulting in the withdrawal of this project and consequently in the payment of an appropriate compensation to the Swatch Group[…] … The possible eventual use of the SwatchMobil know-how by Daimler-Chrysler can be settled in a license agreement[…] … The developments for other interested automobile manufacturers are not affected by these changes[…] … „The take-over of the participation is part of the steps taken in view of the upcoming DaimlerChrysler merger“ comments Jürgen E[…] … Schrempp, Chairman of the Board of Daimler-Benz AG. „The smart brand is thus an integral part of the six automobile brands of DaimlerChrysler[…] … To take this step during the present market introduction is logical and opens the smart brand all the advantages of the new group[…] … Jürgen Hubbert Chairman of the board of MCC, adds: „Dr[…] … Nicolas G. Hayek has pushed this project onward with much personal engagement and influenced it in an important way[…] … “ Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman of the Board and President of the Swatch Group: „The Swatch Group has fulfilled its role as loyal, competent and efficient partner for the concept, development and production as well as for the marketing, distribution and launch of the smart car[…] … After the successful smart introduction, the Swatch Group considers its task concluded and thanks Messrs[…] … Schrempp, Hubbert and their collaborators for an exciting and positive cooperation[…]

» Swatch Internet Time

On October 23, 1998, the Swatch brand created a revolution: it reinvented time by launching a universal time, Swatch Internet Time[…] … This divides a 24-hour day into 1000 beats (each beat corresponding to 1 minute and 26[…] … 4 seconds) and enables all the earth’s inhabitants to experience the same time at the same moment, wherever they happen to be, and irrespective of whether it is daytime or nighttime[…] … This invention meets the requirements of today’s lifestyle, punctuated by meetings demanding a global concept of time that eliminates time zones and geographic separation, and whose conversion to traditional time is as easy as conversion into local currency[…] … At the launch ceremony for Swatch Internet Time – which took place in Biel / Bienne in the presence of Nicolas G. Hayek, then Swatch Group CEO, Nick Hayek, then managing director of the Swatch brand, and Nicholas Negroponte, founder and director of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge (USA) – a new meridian was established, Biel Mean Time (BMT) at 500 beats or noon, winter time, in Biel[…]

» Nicolas Hayek tried to prevent his biography from being written

Nagel & Kimche will publish «Mister Swatch, Nicolas Hayek and the secret of his success» on 7 September 2009[…] … The renowned economic journalist Jürg Wegelin has written the book[…] … He has known and has followed Hayek for more than 30 years now[…] … Wegelin has researched in Hayek’s native Lebanon and interviewed virtually 60 former companions, colleagues and competitors for his book project[…] … Hayek tried hard to prevent the research as well as the book[…] … At the beginning, Hayek’s sister, who still lives in Lebanon, was very talkative[…] … However, after talking to her brother, she broke off all contact[…] … The Swatch Group’s press office tried to prevent the usage of Swatch photos in the book as well as the photos showing Hayek chosen for the cover[…] … Likewise, the Swatch Group took action against the designation “immigrant” in the advertising text for the book[…] … The book tells how Nicolas Hayek, who was born on 19 February 1928 in Lebanon, established the Swatch corporation and became one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Switzerland[…] … Hayek’s young days and the establishment of his consulting firm Hayek Engineering are among the highlights of the book[…]

» OMEGA in New York - New Boutique to open on Fifth Avenue

On April 4th, OMEGA comes to New York City[…] … Its new flagship store at 711 Fifth will be the 51st OMEGA Boutique[…] … The flagship store is an important part of OMEGA’s retail strategy[…] … In December of 2000, Nicolas Hayek, the Chairman of the Swatch Group, made a bold announcement at the grand opening of the first OMEGA Boutique in Zurich[…] … OMEGA’s ambitious goal, he said, was to extend the corporate boutique network to include 50 retail shops devoted exclusively to OMEGA products within ten years[…] … OMEGA met that target in 2008[…] … When visitors enter the OMEGA Boutique, they will be warmly greeted by a staff whose members are specialists in the 161-year-old watchmaker’s product line[…] … Display and sales areas are on each side of the ground floor towards the front of the store[…] … There is also an enclosed area where VIP guests can view the products undisturbed and at an unhurried pace[…] … Beyond the sales areas are special displays with showcases featuring OMEGA’s brand ambassadors on one side of the hall and selections from the Fine Jewellery and Fine Leather collections on the other[…] … Many of these products are available exclusively at OMEGA Boutiques[…]

» DOUBLE TOURBILLON DE BREGUET

Breguet’s most recent entries uphold its oldest and noblest traditions, discreetly displaying the signature features that set a Breguet off from all other watches made[…] … Dials made of manually engine-turned gold, open-tipped blued steel hands, fluted caseband, unique production number – the Breguet personality comes to the fore at first glance[…] … Every new horological and jewellery design by Breguet expresses the philosophy laid down a full decade ago by Nicolas G. Hayek: enhanced by advanced technologies and inspired by the world of culture – beauty first, beauty foremost[…] … The spectacular outcome of years of diligent development, the Breguet Double Tourbillon includes a hand-wound movement fitted with a pair of tourbillon regulators rotating on the hour axis[…] … An aesthetic as well as a technical masterpiece, the watch features today a pink gold case 44 mm in diameter housing over 570 components, all painstakingly assembled by Breguet’s master watchmakers[…] … Working independently from one another, two tourbillons are coupled by means of differential gears and mounted on a rotating centre plate effecting a complete revolution in twelve hours[…] … The differential device conveys the two tourbillons’ mean rate to the rotating centre plate and to the time-display mechanism[…] … The rate of the watch is thus the mean rate of the two tourbillons, making its movement twice as precise as a normal one[…] … The hour is shown by the bridge connecting the tourbillon regulators doubling as a watch hand, while the minutes are indicated by a standard hand at centre[…] … Impeccable finish and spectacular new engraving work on the back of the movement further underscore this exceptional timepiece’s appeal[…] … A manually engine-turned mainplate, a chapter ring inscribed with Roman numerals, pink gilt Breguet hands, a movement with decorated bridges and bars and other parts beveled and polished further testify to an exceptionally handsome design of unrivalled beauty and refinement[…] … First introduced at the 2006 Basle Fair but initially available in insufficient numbers, this grande complication design with double tourbillon was in 2008 delivered to Breguet clients who had ordered the watch, often paying in advance[…] … Despite an increase in recent orders joining as yet undelivered earlier orders, newly added manufacturing capacity has allowed Breguet to schedule delivery of the first pink gold models for the end of 2009[…] … Case round, in 18K pink gold, with finely fluted caseband[…] … Rounded horns welded to the case, screw pins securing the strap[…] … Dial ring-shaped, forming a flange in 18K silvered gold[…] … Individually numbered and signed BREGUET[…] … Chapter ring with Roman numerals[…] … Rose gilt open-tipped BREGUET minute hand[…] … The hour hand is an extension of the bridge supporting the two tourbillon carriages[…] … Manually engine-turned center plate featuring apertures for the two tourbillons and rotating in step with the hours[…] … Movement hand-wound mechanical movement with twin tourbillon regulators mounted on the manually engine-turned rotating center plate[…] … The two regulators are coupled by a differential gear that combines the mean rate of the two movements[…] … Movement numbered and signed BREGUET[…] … BREGUET overcoil[…] … Monometallic BREGUET balance wheels with four gold regulating screws[…] … The back of the movement bears a hand-engraved representation of the solar system, inspired by the 60-second rotation of the tourbillons on themselves and their rotation in tandem around a center axis over a 12-hour period[…]

» Tagesanzeiger: Hayek: We will continue to grow in 2009

Swatch founder Nicolas Hayek is confident that, in contrast to other sectors, the Swiss watch industry is expected to increase its turnover also this coming year[…] … tagesanzeiger[…]