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New for A. Lange & Söhne at Geneva's 2007 SIHH show was the manually wound Lange 31, which features an amazing month-long power reserve. The 31 in the name, therefore, makes sense, as it refers to the number of days the constant-force escapement takes to unwind – that's 744 hours, when most watches last just 40 hours. This incredible innovation is brought about by having two stacked mainspring barrels with mainsprings that are over six feet long – up to 10 times longer than is the norm. This has necessitated the reintroduction of key-winding (commonly used in the days of the pocket watch) which makes winding these strong, long springs much easier. Just as impressive as the length of the power reserve is the way it is delivered, with constant rate accuracy throughout the month. To ensure this, Lange used what it calls a constant-force escapement. The case of the Lange 31 is made of platinum in a diameter of 46mm.
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The Centigraphe Souveraine is an innovative new chronograph watch that measures elapsed times from one hundredth of a second, to 10 minutes, on its three subdials. A tachometer function allows the wearer to convert times into speeds ranging from walking pace up to 360,000 km/h, should the need arise. This new, hand-wound chronograph mechanism has been patented for its ingenuity, which is also seen in the chronograph's ergonomic rocker switch, where normally two separate button pushers would be.
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Classical style and practical complication combine elegantly in the new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar. Powered by an automatic-winding mechanical movement GP033M0, the this watch features just what it says on the tin: a full calendar, seen through windows in the dial, indicating the date, the day of the week, the month, and the current phase of the moon. Made of pink gold, the case measures 40mm across, and has a see-through case back. It is everything one could wish for from an elegant man's watch.
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