February 2014. Dubai becomes the latest international city to join Michel Jordi's revolutionary Icons of the World chronograph collection – in which the Swiss watchmaker pays homage, through beautiful designs and watchmaking complications, to some of the world's most legendary places. Jordi's exquisite representation of the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab landmarks, presided over by a gently smiling sun and the evening star in a deep blue Middle Eastern sky, is part of the Jordi Swiss Icon's annual parade of authentic icons. An original and innovative complication model is introduced annually to the collection, each issued in a limited edition of three, and in which the day/night display creates a surprise by revealing the place or the monument that gives a country iconic stature, all at the slimmest scale possible of details. The models released to date feature among others the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Mount Fuji, the Statue of Liberty, the Kremlin, while Switzerland is represented by the Interlaken and Geneva masterpieces. More than just a Dubai landmark, Burj Khalifa – the world's tallest and most stunning tower – is a worldwide monument whose height has returned the location of Earth's tallest freestanding structure to the Middle East, a distinction which belonged to the Great Pyramid of Giza for almost four millennia before being surpassed in 1311 by Lincoln Cathedral in England. The building's purity and almost perfect aesthetics make it the magnificent centre-piece of Dubai's new urban masterpiece. Designed in the shape of an Arabian dhow sail, the emirate's iconic Burj Al Arab is the self-proclaimed first 7 star hotel and the tallest building on a man-made island. The latest Masterpiece in the Jordi Icons of the World series is the first of a series, which is foreseen to pay tribute to the Emirates and its unparalleled originality, luxury and contribution to the history of construction, all of which have secured its place in the sun of iconic world landmarks. World-scale day/night disc display The Dubai masterpiece reflects the key identity codes of the JORDI Swiss Icon collection, with its ergonomic design which evokes the shape of a Rhone River pebble, the source of inspiration for the collection. The traditional Swiss art of paper-cut design – subtly revived and updated – lends a subtle touch to the dial while making a powerful match for the resolutely contemporary design. The combination of titanium and red gold for the case accentuates the unmistakable strength of character of this masterpiece, which is fitted with a dedicated “Icons of the World” genuine leather strap. It is however the day/night indicator that springs the biggest surprise by revealing at 10 o'clock the place or monument that gives the model its iconic nature and appreciation of unique dial work. A unique gong-striking mechanism In cooperation with Jean-François Mojon – winner of the Best Watchmaker award at the 2010 Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix – Michel Jordi has created a very original gong-striking mechanism, which contributes to the overall rarity and uniqueness of this limited series. Instead of the usual vibrations of the caseback, a hammer strikes the gong at a low frequency of 2Hz, reminiscent of the cadence of the ringing of a mountain chapel bell. The monobloc hammer is crafted from one rectangular piece, resulting in a better sound amplification. It can be admired through an opening on the dial. This finely crafted hand-wound movement with double barrels guarantees a 72-hour power reserve and ensures the complication will not disrupt the movement's timekeeping. Technical specifications Movement : Hand-wound, 340 components, double barrel with one reserved for the gong-striking mechanism, 28,800 vib/h, 45 jewels, 72-hour power reserve. Functions : Hours, minutes, seconds, day/night indicator and 24-hour alarm with day/night and on/off indicators. Case : Titanium and 18K red gold twin bezel, 46 mm diameter, domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal, water-resistant to 100 m / 10 ATM. Dial : Hours, minutes and seconds on an openworked and off-centered counter, alarm day/night indicator at 2 o'clock, standard time day/night indicator at 10 o'clock revealing an iconic place or landmark, alarm hour and minute counters at 4 o'clock, On/off indicator at 6 o'clock. Strap : Black or brown leather with steel folding clasp.
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