News Since 2001, in its capacity as official partner of the Monaco Yacht Show, Blancpain has awarded a prize to a firm or an individual to mark the level of excellence of their products or services.
At a prestigious evening gala organised on 24 September this year at the Monaco Yacht Club, Blancpain awarded its Charter Captain 2003 Award to Gino Battaglia. This trophy goes to the "best captain of the year" selected by passengers of individual cruises based on quality criteria such as on-board service, crew performance, initiative and competency in navigation.
Throughout a career spanning more than 1600 days at the helm of the yacht Kermit, captain Battaglia and his crew have provided their guests with outstanding service and excellence in the performance of their profession, demonstrating a consistently high level of quality and perfection, values that are shared by the watch manufacturer Blancpain.
Emphasizing this philosophy that applies equally to the art of watchmaking and the world of prestige yachting, Marc A. Hayek, CEO of Blancpain (on the left in our photo), offered Captain Battaglia (right) an Air Command automatic chronograph with flyback function, specially engraved for the occasion. The prizewinner declared himself very honoured to have been chosen to receive the trophy and acknowledged that he always endeavoured to offer a high level of service to his guests. A watch enthusiast, he was particularly pleased to receive a Blancpain timepiece with complications, considering the firm to be a reference in luxury watchmaking and having always wanted to own one of its fine pieces.
Readers may recall that last year Blancpain awarded its Trophy of Excellence to the Perini Navi shipyard, for the professionalism and exceptional production qualities of every aspect of its work, and that in 2001 it was the Lady Christine, built by the Oceanco yard, that received the award.
In addition to the Blancpain Charter Captain Award, the firm from the Vallée de Joux consolidated its presence at the 2003 Monaco Yacht Show by presenting limited editions of the Flyback Air Command chronograph, produced specially for the occasion and stamped with the Monacan coat of arms (see photo). Water-resistant to 200 metres, these exclusive models were put on sale on the territory of the Principality during the event, prior to their official launch. Limited to 150 pieces for men, the edition also features 50 ladies' models. For the latter, Blancpain this year produced its first ever ladies' diver's watch with revolving bezel.
On a final note, the presence of Blancpain at Monaco's major event attracted a large number of guests, including celebrities such as Prince Rainier and his son Albert, as well as singer Julien Clerc, himself a knowledgable luxury watchmaking enthusiast (see photos).
October 23, 2003
