Newport
An anniversary edition for the 35 years of the collection
Launched in 1988 by the French watchmaking house HERBELIN, Newport celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary in 2023. To commemorate this milestone for this iconic collection, the Franche-Comté watchmaker unveils the Newport Automatic Chronograph 35th Anniversary Editionth anniversary. Identical to the original model in its color codes – silver, gold, blue – this timepiece has nevertheless been subtly redesigned to bring it into the present. Powered by an automatic chronograph movement, it enters the race in limited series, released in 350 numbered pieces worldwide.
A RACED DESIGN
“Respecting the aesthetic DNA of the 1988 Newport while transposing it to today, and moreover onto an automatic chronograph, which didn't exist back then, was a real challenge,” explains Mathieu Herbelin, grandson of the founder and co-creative director of the French brand. “The original Newport takes its shape from the porthole of transatlantic sailboats. Hence, a purely cylindrical case with contained thickness thanks to the presence of a quartz movement, a crystal positioned in line with a flat bezel, and central lugs. Staying true to this historic design while using an automatic chronograph mechanism that implies a certain case volume was not easy. Ingenuity was required to create the least bulky model possible.”
For this anniversary edition featuring a 42 mm diameter, the two-tone steel and yellow gold PVD-coated steel case has been refined to the extreme. The circular brushed steel bezel, sculpted underneath, retains its original flat surface and houses a raised glass box sapphire crystal to accentuate the overall finesse. Thus crafted, the entire piece measures only 14 mm in thickness.
Adorned with the famous sunlit Newport blue, the dial highlights beveled indices, evoking the geometric construction of a boat hull. Marked at noon with a marine wheel, identical to the original logo of the first Newport, they underscore an ultra-precise minute track, positioned on the flange. Judiciously orchestrated horizontally, the sub-dials for "30 minutes" at 3 o'clock and "small seconds" at 9 o'clock stand out from the background with their rhodium azure color. Enhanced by a tachymeter scale engraved and inked black on the Newport-signed bezel, this chronograph measures average travel speed from 60 to 400 km/hour. Completed by a date window at 6 o'clock, the entire display is swept over by faceted hour and minute hands, alongside a central seconds hand.
Subtly enhancing the dial's finishes, the yellow gold PVD offers perfect legibility of information through a play of contrasts. Also covering the central lugs, the pushers, and the fluted crown engraved with a marine wheel, it tempers the model's sporty character by lending it a touch of timeless classicism.
AN AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT
Fitted with a blue crocodile-embossed leather strap, domed in the center, this HERBELIN timepiece, water-resistant up to 100 meters, houses a Swiss-made mechanical automatic movement, a guarantee of reliability and precision. Oscillating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and featuring 27 jewels, it benefits from a 62-hour power reserve. Visible through a transparent case back, it reveals an oscillating weight engraved with the house's name.
Made in France for having been designed, conceived, hand-assembled, adjusted, and controlled in the HERBELIN workshops located in the Jura Massif in Franche-Comté, the Newport automatic chronograph 35th Anniversary Editionth anniversary embodies traditional French watchmaking savoir-faire passed down from father to son for over 75 years. Released as a limited edition of 350 pieces, it pays a beautiful tribute to the Newport collection that propelled the HERBELIN watchmaker to international recognition.
35 YEARS OF HISTORY
When Jean-Claude Herbelin took the helm of the company founded by his father in the early 1980s, his objective was to launch a new collection that would embody the fundamental values and watchmaking heritage of the French brand. The family's passion for the marine world, its landscapes, and its sailboats crystallized in the creation of Newport, a collection of timepieces inspired by the boats competing in the America's Cup race in Newport, Rhode Island. Inspired by the portholes of transatlantic sailboats, Newport represents a spirit of adventure, escape, and freedom. " Created in 1988, it still holds its place thirty-five years later number one best-seller from the house explains Maxime Herbelin, grandson of the founder and associate marketing director of the French brand". " Since its introduction, we have sold 500 000 Newport watches ". A beautiful story that is still far from its final chapter. To be continued...
Specifications
Case:
- Bicolor 316L stainless steel / polished yellow gold PVD-coated 316L stainless steel
-
circular brushed 316L stainless steel bezel with tachymeter scale,
Engraved and inked in black
screw-down transparent case back
sapphire glass box crystal
diameter: 42 mm; thickness: 14 mm
- Water resistant up to 100 meters
- limited edition of 350 numbered pieces
Dial:
sunray Newport blue
gilt beveled indexes
- Faceted, sword-shaped hour and minute hands, gold-toned
- gilt seconds hand
"30 min" counter at 3h; "small seconds" subdial at 9h
- minute track on flange
- date window at 6h
Functions:
hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, tachymeter
Movement:
- automatic, of Swiss manufacture (Sellita SW510)
- 27 rubies, 28,800 vph
- Herbelin engraved oscillating weight
- Power reserve of 62 hours
Strap:
blue alligator-embossed leather with deployant clasp
