AIX-LES-BAINS, FRANCE, 17 June — Aix-les-Bains, a sleepy town on the banks of Lac du Bourget, France’s biggest natural lake, was the focus of attention of some 200 media representatives who traveled from 25 countries from all continents a week ago. Awaiting them a 90-minute drive away was a unique event at the ONERA Wind Tunnel at Modane.
ONERA (the French National Aerospace Research Establishment) is the French aerospace research agency, under the authority of the Ministry of Defense. A public establishment with both commercial and technical activities, its scientists and engineers conceive, design, develop, model and test the aircraft and spacecraft of tomorrow.
As print and TV representatives arrived at the tunnel, they were made to wear a thin white uniform, with the head covered with a helmet and the shoes with a cover like one enters a hospital operating theater. All this was done to be able to brave the estimated 45 km wind speed in the tunnel, described as the biggest in the world.
Once inside the tunnel, it was windy all around with a laser show unfolding the event. With Swatch Skin 2001 collection featuring the new Skin Chrono watches flying all over, they seemed to be the closest while still being on the ground. It was all meant to “see the air, experience the air and experience the Swatch Skin, the thinnest chronograph the world has ever seen.” A mere 6.6 mm of thinness is at the forefront of Swatch provocation, technical achievement and contemporary design.
“The result of what is hiding ‘under the hood’ is pure Swatch precision. No compromise to fashion is made. The attractive style of the swatch Skin Chrono collection breaks from conventional chronograph design and focuses on its essentials. Thus, resulting in an uncomplicated profile. Phenomenon, Outrage and Flatzone are the names to grace this latest wonder from Swatch,” Biel-based Swatch AG President Michele Sofisti said.
“This trio is a desirable addition to the successful Skin line. Each is a statement to the finesse of the swatch ‘art’ of designing and constructing timepieces. Each has its own personality. Each has its own identity. Each has its own essence. Each flirts with indescribable sex appeal. And all have the genius of technological provocation — Swatch style,” he added. Flatzone embraces the elegance of the Skin message with its use of fashion forward materials as it unites a stylish open link/slot metal design bracelet with a plastic case. Outrage maintains a sporty profile while keeping in touch with classic styling thus giving it a serious multifunction sport watch look. Phenomenon is quite a triumph and not in name alone. It packs a tremendous mechanical concept inside 6.6 mm and delivers a cool minimalist look. The collection is shock proof and water resistant to 30 meters, of course, with Swatch precision.
“Saudi Arabia is the biggest market in the Middle East and one of the most important ones in the world for Swatch,” Sofisti told Arab News, and paid a tribute to Alzouman General Trading of Saleh Muhammad Alzouman for the rapid march of Swatch in this part of the world.
Asked whether his company could produce a thinner watch than what is newly launched, Sofisti remarked: “Only the future can tell.”