The “Fiat Chalet” watch – Locman keeps time on the new Fiat 500
Locman Italy, the Italian watch brand known worldwide for its high-tech luxury watches, has been commissioned to produce and distribute the eagerly awaited model dedicated to the new Fiat 500. Created by Roberto Giolito, one of the designers of the new 500, the watch has been produced in the Locman laboratories and will be available from the finest jeweller’s as of December 1st, in a first exclusive numbered and limited edition of 500.
- LOCMAN Fiat 500
Initiated in 2005 with the launch of the “Fiat Playa” chronograph and pursued in 2006 with the presentation of the “Fiat Chalet” watch, the cooperation between Locman Italy and the famous automobile manufacturer is consolidated this year by the release of the new “Locman Fiat 500”. A few months from its market launch, the new car is set to be an icon of Italian style, characterised by an undeniable originality and powerful appeal that are inspiring the development of a range of exclusive objects such as the new “Locman Fiat 500”.
The round steel case distinguished by its generous size and the meticulous care lavished on its finishing, is topped by a convex mineral glass and is reminiscent in style of the soft lines of the new city car. The parallels with the new vehicle are even more obvious in the graphic design of the dial that evokes that of the speedometers on the Fiat 500 dashboard.
And while the first ring faithfully reproduces the tachometric scale, the second carrying Arabic numerals provides analogue read-off of the hours. The baton-shaped white and red hands also reflect the shape and colours of speedometer pointers. The “Locman Fiat 500” watch is equipped with an exclusive analogue-digital movement that faithfully interprets the successful blend of past and present elements adopted for the new 500. The sophisticated digital functions, displayed in the central part of the dial and corresponding to the digit zone of car speedometers, are actuated by pressing the crown.
Successive pushes activate the three time zones, the date, the week indication, the alarm, the chronograph and the tachometer. Meanwhile, the backlighting serving to facilitate night-time readability is activated by the pushbutton at 10 o’clock. The logo of the 500 in the characteristic red colour is reproduced at 6 o’clock, right next to the Locman Italy brand name at 7 o’clock. The side of the watch, with the central crown carrying the Fiat brand name and the moustache-shaped elongated side pushbuttons, recall both the radiator grill of the historical and the new 500.
The case-back, secured by screws, is engraved with the signature of the designer Roberto Giolito and the serial number of the watch. Finally, the colour and materials used for the padded leather strap are inspired by the car’s upholstery. (Locman press)