{"id":2180,"date":"2019-10-29T02:24:15","date_gmt":"2019-10-29T01:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ralftech.com\/brest-atlantiques-x-ralf-tech\/"},"modified":"2021-04-16T23:34:03","modified_gmt":"2021-04-16T21:34:03","slug":"brest-atlantiques-x-ralf-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ralftech.com\/en\/brest-atlantiques-x-ralf-tech\/","title":{"rendered":"BREST ATLANTIQUES X RALF TECH"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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BREST ATLANTIQUES X RALF TECH<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

As the last French stronghold standing between the Atlantic \nand the Americas, Brest is accustomed to welcoming record starts and \nfinishes, whether they are done solo or with a crew. Now, it\u2019s offshore \nracing that is anchored to this Finisterian port. On November 3rd, and \nin an exceptional setting, the harbor will be a place where Bretons and \nmany others alike will watch the Ultims depart for the immense Atlantic \nOcean. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1978 there was a small yellow double-outrigger that brushed mustaches with a large sailboat to win the first ever Route du Rhum. Since then, multihulls have marked the world of ocean racing by multiplying story after story. The Ultims could acknowledge the advent of the \u201cflight\u201d mode by leaving behind the \u201cArchimedean\u201d method. (R)evolution in progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE\nATLANTICS\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nAtlantic, or rather the North and South Atlantic will become the fall\nplayground for the Actual Leader, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, the\nTrimaran MACIF, and the Sodebo Ultim 3 for a 14,000-mile loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On\nNovember 3rd, 2019 at 1:02 pm, \u201cBrest Atlantiques\u201d will\nsend off the most wonderful oceanic multihulls that ever set sea. The\n4 Ultims will be gathered together to start a 14,000 nautical mile\ntriangular route across the North and South Atlantic: Actual Leader\nby Yves Le Blevec, Trimaran MACIF by Fran\u00e7ois Gabart, Maxi Edmond de\nRothschild by Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, Sodebo Ultim 3 by\nThomas Coville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nfirst section of the 5,000 nautical mile course will take the 4 duos\nto the Brazilian coastline, leaving the Cagarras Islands archipelago\nin the Bay of Rio de Janeiro to their portside, as they circumvent\ntheir first mark. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As\nfar as the latitude of the Azores, there is a high probability of\nhaving to face crossing fronts with headwinds. This will be the\nroute\u2019s first obstacle. Quickly, at Cape Verde, the positioning\nstrategy will prove to be crucial in crossing the equator, and\nespecially making it through the snares of the \u201cDoldrums\u201d,\nthe second most important obstacle not to be taken lightly by\ncompetitors. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then\nit will be a fast-downwind descent over 1000 nautical miles alongside\nBrazil between Recife and Cape Frio, which will bring them to the\nprestigious bay of Rio de Janeiro, sometimes proving to be a trap for\nits somewhat quiet conditions. This beginning descent in the South\nAtlantic could prove to be a strategic point to close-in, or at very\nleast a possible slowdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nsecond section, between Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town, representing\nover 3,250 nautical miles to be covered during their crossing of the\nSouth Atlantic, could provide additional strategic opportunities\nbetween the American and African continents. The St.Helena High will\nbe the judge of that\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nsouthbound circumvention will give the competitors the benefit of\ndownwind conditions to reach the second course mark, Robben Island on\nthe outskirts of Cape Town. This may lead to choosing very southern\npaths in latitude. These flying boats could then reach islands like\nTristan da Cuna and Gough Island located at the gates of the roaring\nforties, in cold waters with possible iceberg drifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Robben Island off of Cape Town, there  remains the third and final section of the course to be discussed, no less than the 7,000 nautical miles required for the Ultims to reach the old continent at the port of Brest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nduos will have to negotiate once again to skirt around the St Helena\nHigh and strategically position themselves to get past the Doldrums\nand out of the South Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nlast and final sprint will take place in the North Atlantic, governed\nby the whims of the Azores high\u2026 which will be the last judge,\nsynonymous with victory. It is at the gates of the city of Le Ponant\nthat the final ranking of this incredible 14,000 nautical mile\ncompetition in the Atlantic triangle will be revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE\nRACE\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This exceptional offshore race called on a watchmaker that has been sailing for many years and is a partner of one of the greatest offshore races. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RALF\nTECH is therefore delighted, after having clocked the GLOBE SALE, the\nENGLISH TRANSAT, the JACQUES VABRE TRANSAT, the GOLDEN GLOBE, to\nbecome the official timekeeper of the BREST ATLANTIQUES.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\nwill therefore have the important task of deciding between\nexceptional skippers whom, as duos, are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nThomas Coville and Jean-Luc N\u00e9lias on the SODEBO ULTIM 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nFran\u00e7ois Gabart and Gw\u00e9nol\u00e9 Gahinet on the MACIF<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nYves Le Blevec and Alex Pella on the ACTUAL LEADER<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nFranck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier on the MAXI EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\nis worth noting that each boat will have a \u201cMediaman\u201d on\nboard in addition to its two skippers to transmit image content\nashore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly,\nin conjunction with the timing of the race, the two winners will\nreceive a WRV Automatic Chronograph \u201cBarracuda\u201d, our new\nmaritime timepiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE\nWRV AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH BARRACUDA\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavily inspired by the 70\u2019s, the WRV is a link between two eras. Both vintage and contemporary, it harmoniously combines the best of both worlds through complex and elegant contours that pay tribute to seventies aesthetics, while also incorporating today\u2019s technologies. Based on the same principles and ideas as the WRV, this newcomer shares nothing in common. This model is 100% new and was presented in Basel last March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nnew case:<\/strong>\nThe new chronograph WRV measures 43.9mm in diameter. Alternating\nbetween polished and satin-finished surfaces, it houses a crown\npositioned at 3 o\u2019clock (it was off-center on the automatic WRV) with\ntwo pushers at 2 and 4 o\u2019clock. These pushers that make it possible\nto activate the chronograph are of course \u2013 required for any\nprofessional watch \u2013 screwed in to prevent any untimely operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly,\nthe sapphire crystal on top is 3.5mm thick and makes it one of the\nthickest in terms of today\u2019s timepieces, required for water\nresistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nnew movement: <\/strong>Made\nin Japan, the new RT002\u00ae movement is a masterpiece of the world of\nwatchmaking. This automatic chronograph movement has 292 parts and 34\nruby jewel bearings, perfectly combining mechanical watchmaking\ntradition with a high-precision chronograph function. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most\nimportantly, the chronograph activation mechanism consists of a\ncolumn wheel. Considered by both industry and collectors as the most\ncoveted chronograph mechanism, the column wheel offers a very soft\ntactile sensation thanks to its vertical clutch, which makes it even\nmore pleasant to use than the horizontal cam lever chronograph system\nused in traditional Swiss movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nnew dial: <\/strong>Panda\u2026\nThis name, well known to savvy collectors, means that, just as panda\nbears are black and white, with their black eyes and snout contrasted\nby their white fur, the new WRV Automatic Chronograph\u2019s dial is white\nwith black counters or \u2013 and then there\u2019s the Inverted Panda \u2013 black\nwith white dials. Inspired by 1960s chronographs, the WRV Automatic\nChronograph \u201cBarracuda\u201d brings us back to a time when scuba\ndiving was considered a dangerous sport reserved for a well-informed\npublic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nnew bracelet: <\/strong>supported\nby a French Navy parachute strap, the WRV \u201cBarracuda\u201d\nAutomatic Chronograph underlines the strong link between RALF TECH\nand the French Navy. This system was invented in the 1970s by marine\ncommandos because at the time, the watches they were sent were\ndelivered\u2026 without bracelets! This clever craftsmanship has ever\nsince become synonymous with performance and comfort when worn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nnew workshop: <\/strong>Once\nagain, RALF TECH, a French company, is committed to employing French\nartisan craftsmen. The new WRV Automatic Chronograph is assembled in\nFrance and more precisely in the country\u2019s capital, Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nWRV \u201cBarracuda\u201d Automatic Chronograph is available in 3\ndifferent styles, <\/strong>one\nwith the Panda dial and the other two with an inverted Panda dial,\ntwo with a 316L surgical steel case and the other with a black PVD\ncoated case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical\nspecificities and features of the WRV \u2018Barracuda\u201d Automatic\nChronograph: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

> Mechanical\nchronograph movement with automatic winding RTAC002\u00ae<\/p>\n\n\n\n

> Chronograph\nwith column-wheel mechanism and vertical clutch release<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nPower reserve up to 45 hours<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nActual water resistance 200M \/ 660FT <\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nHour, minute, second functions, chronograph, immersion time\ncalculation by graduated bezel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nSurgical steel case 316L satin-finished and polished depending on the\nsurface with a diameter of 43.9mm (excluding crown and pushers) and\n316L satin surgical steel case covered with black PVD in Black\nversion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nProfessional 120-clicks unidirectional bezel, black aluminum insert<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nCurved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside,\n3.5 mm thick<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nCrown and pushers screwed in<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nScrewed-in back case with serial number engraving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nBlack \u201cMarine Nationale\u201d bracelet and black silicone bracelet \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>\nMade in France<\/p>\n\n\n