February 4, 2008
On February 1, Audemars Piguet invited a few friends of the brand to the prestigious Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad. The Manufacture of Le Brassus had two reasons to celebrate: the launch of the Royal Oak Offshore Ladycat chronograph and the opening of a new boutique in the hotel.
The link between the launch of a new product and the opening of a new boutique may not be apparent at first glance. However, the common denominator in this case is first-class yachtswoman Dona Bertarelli Späth, the person who put together the all-women Ladycat crew to compete in the regattas of the Challenge Julius Baer.
The Audemars Piguet name has graced Alinghi sails since 2002 and the Manufacture was drawn to Ms Bertarelli Späth’s ambitious project from the outset, immediately agreeing to support the team. In addition to lending its technical prowess, Audemars Piguet was keen to promote the message Ms Bertarelli Späth was seeking to convey: sailing is a sport that requires stamina, agility, precision and coordination—all qualities brilliantly demonstrated by women.
With this in mind, Ms Bertarelli Späth made it her goal to both highlight the peerless skills of competitive female sailors and make the public more aware of cardiovascular disease among women. The Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad joined Audemars Piguet in sponsoring the magnificent Décision 35 Ladycat (SUI10) catamaran and with the opening of the new boutique the two partners further strengthened the synergy of their partnership.
The tiny 8m² showcase is the brand’s smallest outlet, yet the architects succeeded in incorporating Audemars Piguet’s hallmark features through the use of wood, natural Jura stone, glass and wengé to create an overall feeling of elegance and understatement.
In tribute to the Ladycat team, Audemars Piguet created a chronograph that reflects the catamaran’s fuchsia and black colors. The Royal Oak Offshore Ladycat is a limited series of 150 watches, conveying a true sporting pedigree, made for women not afraid of bold combinations: diamonds and rubber; elegance and athleticism.
The Manufacture fully subscribes to the cause of Dona Bertarelli Späth who through this sporting endeavour is supporting the “Go Red for Women” campaign, aimed at raising public awareness of cardiovascular diseases among women.
Audemars Piguet
Source @ Fibre2fashion
