Homewood, Lake Tahoe, CA (August 8th, 2014): Swiss watch manufacture Frederique Constant embodies its brand message to ‘Live your passion,’ returning to the 42nd Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance as a title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Held on August 8th – 9th, the 2014 collectors’ event and prestigious wooden boat show will relocate to the Lake’s West Shore at Obexer’s Boat Company.
This year’s event will feature nearly 100 vintage and classic boat entries from runabouts and racers to unique utility boats and custom built wooden yachts, dating back to pre and post-World War II, including Chris Crafts, Gar Woods, and of course the legendary Rivas. Each boat, finely restored to their former glory of hand-polished wooden hulls and chrome accents, will glisten on the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe under clear blue skies, turning the heads of over 5,000 spectators. In addition, Frederique Constant will sponsor two very special packages for out of town guests, partnering with the Concours d’Elegance and Squaw Valley Resort. The ‘Frederique Constant Gold Package’ and the ‘Frederique Constant Stainless Steel Package’ will offer visitors exclusive discounts to all events and an unparalleled experience of these timeless vessels.
“Frederique Constant has been proud sponsor of the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance since 2010. The beautiful classical wooden sportsboats are inspiration for our super successful Runabout watch collection, and exemplify the company’s core challenge to Live Your Passion,” said Frederique Constant CEO, Peter Stas. Spurred on by this purpose, the Swiss luxury brand has partnered with the exclusive collector’s event, the Concours d’Elegance in Lake Tahoe and will award two Runabout timepieces to the winners of the Best in Marque Class and Best in Show category.
Passion comes in many forms. Mr. Carlo Riva exhibited his passion through the design of the sleek, wooden power boats that graced the planet’s finest lakes from 1950. In 1998, the Riva Historical Society was founded with the aim of locating and aiding in the conservation and restoration of the magnificent Riva boats. This year again, Frederique Constant is delighted to announce their continuing partnership with the Riva Historical Society. As a salute to the iconic Riva water craft and the passion that spawned them, Frederique Constant introduces the 2014 limited edition Runabout Chronograph Automatic Collection.
The new range features two models. Only 2,888 of each will be produced. Both are powered by the ultra-precise FC-393 automatic chronograph movement, offering 28,800 beats per hour, 25 jewels and an appreciated 46-hour power reserve. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, date and a mechanical chronograph. The date window is located at the 3 o’clock positon. If you want to wear your new Chronograph Automatic while you’re out on the waves, you can, this model is water resistant to 50 metres.
With a case diameter of 42mm, the dial is protected by a diamond-hard convex sapphire crystal, and both models feature the exceptionally popular see-through case back, allowing owners to view the internal workings of this mechanical marvel. As an acknowledgement of the work they do and the passion with which they do it, the Riva Historical Society flag is etched into the case back glass.
The FC-393RM5B4 comes with a striking rose gold plated case, with a wonderfully contrasting silver dial featuring a guilloche decoration in the center. The hour and minute hands are luminous white. The Arabic numerals are finished in rose gold and hand-applied. A luxurious crococalf leather strap in dark brown with a folding buckle completes the stylish and timeless look of this model.
The FC-393RM5B6 is the next in the new range. It features a gleaming, hand polished stainless steel case. The lustrous silver dial has the guilloche decoration at the center, while the hand-applied indexes are pearl black Arabic numerals. This model is presented with a deep blue crococalf strap with white stitching and a folding buckle. The combination of colors, textures and styles all combine to give an appearance that is unquestionably modern yet undeniably timeless.
Each of the new Runabout Chronograph Automatics will be delivered in a specially designed gift box, complete with a delightful miniature replica of a wooden Runabout. The new Runabout Chronograph Automatic Collection is a salute to creative passion in all its forms, in the past, the present and in the years – and makes the partnership between Frédérique Constant, the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, and the Riva Historical Society a natural fit.
About Frederique Constant
Founded in 1988 by Aletta and Peter Stas and driven by passion, Frederique Constant has grown into one of the larger Swiss watch manufacturers. The brand offers creativity at exceptional value and positions itself in the Accessible Luxury segment, with most of its watches selling at $1,000-$5,000 USD. Frederique Constant watches are defined by their high quality, differentiation and precision in design and manufacture. To ensure maximum quality, each Frederique Constant timepiece is assembled by hand and extensively controlled with latest equipment at its Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland. The Frederique Constant Collection is available through a selection of leading watch and jewelry retailers across the Americas, and in over 100 countries around the globe.
www.frederique-constant.com
About Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance and the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation
Founded in 1972 by a group of Lake Tahoe Yacht Club members with a passion for wooden boats, the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance has taken place uninterrupted since the start, and developed into one of the most prestigious shows of its kind. From this modest beginning, the Lake Tahoe Concours d’ Elegance has grown to play a significant role in the wooden boat community, as well as the Lake Tahoe maritime community. The Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation has hosted the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance since its induction in 1994, focusing on growing the show, maintaining the quality of boat exhibits through the highest of judging standards and practices, and most importantly sharing the passion of wooden boats between exhibitors and public. Since 1994, Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation has raised and donated more than $200,000 to local groups and projects.
www.laketahoeconcours.com
About the Riva Historical Society
In 1998, the Riva Historical Society was founded in Milan, Italy by architect Piero Gibellini and fellow Riva owners – including Carlo Riva, who is the society’s Honorary President – with the primary objective to locate and aid in the conservation of classic runabout boats that were designed by boating enthusiast Mr. Carlo Riva. The RHS achieves this by helping Riva Runabout owners maintain their boat and restore them to their original beauty. The society also provides education through the collection of research and studies to its RHS members around the world.
www.rivahistorical.org