“PlanetSolar was once a dream, now this project has become a reality” explains the man behind the mission, adventurer Raphaël Domjan from Neuchâtel. Jean-Claude Schwarz, CEO of Festina industrial Group and Festina-Candino Watch SA, was quickly swept up by the enthusiasm of this passionate skipper. “Candino has been travelling the five continents to distribute its Swiss Made products for over 60 years. What better link than supporting a revolutionary boat flying the Swiss flag?” Candino watches have long been looking for an opportunity to get involved in an initiative related to sustainable development. Jean-Claude Schwarz is enthusiastic about the idea of being part of this world first: “Candino is proud to be part of a project that shares the same values. For a Swiss quality brand, being involved in an original concept developed by a Swiss team and using cutting-edge technology is a genuine way of committing to environmental protection.”
The catamaran, a floating laboratory topped with solar panels, is ground-breaking, powerful and reliable, making it the ideal partner for an innovative watchmaker. The Festina Group has always tried to be cutting-edge in terms of industry. This is reflected in its continuous research into the development of mechanical watches and the launch of world firsts.The latest innovation, mhvj (Manufacture horlogère Vallée de Joux), part of the HR watchmaker and owned by the Festina Group, recently developed StruTec, an extremely lightweight exhaust system. Candino hopes to provide PlanetSolar with its technological expertise and people skills by developing a navigator watch to act as a future travelling companion for skippers on the round the-world trip.
Above all, a watch has to be reliable and made to last. In keeping with this principle, Candino has committed to support PlanetSolar for three years. A commitment which will provide long-term effects thanks to the additional research carried out on the basis of the results obtained on the round-the-world trip. Wrist movement alone provides the energy required for the mechanical time-piece to run. By contributing to this promising project, Candino also hopes to give out a positive message to the general public: “Conserve our planet by using soft energies!”
The first world tour on board of PlanetSolar’s boat, using only solar energy, will begin in spring 2011. The inauguration of the itinerant Village which will follow the adventure and will be free of charge for the public, will take place from 3rd to 5th September 2009 in Switzerland, at Yverdon-les-Bains.
About PlanetSolar Project:
The first world tour on board of PlanetSolar’s boat, using only solar energy, will begin in spring 2011. The inauguration of the itinerant Village which will follow the adventure and will be free of charge for the public, will take place from 3rd to 5th September 2009 in Switzerland, at Yverdon-les-Bains. PlanetSolar, the first boat to achieve a world tour using only solar energy, will inaugurate its itinerant Village from 3rd to 5th of September 2009 at Yverdon-les-Bains. This exposition will be the occasion for the public to discover the extraordinary adventure of PlanetSolar and meet Raphaël Domjan and Gérard d'Aboville, the two skippers. The village will consist of three spheres, each representing one of the three pillars of sustainable development: Ecology – Economics - Society. Numerous animations for all ages will be organized. A simulator will for example enable the visitors to virtually pilot the PlanetSolar boat. In the Ecology sphere, people will have the possibility to take part in a race with radio controlled solar boats in a pool. In a relaxing environment, the visitors will also have the possibility to walk barefoot on thin sand and discover amazing pictures of nature. After a roadshow in Switzerland, the Village will follow the European tour of the boat from Hambourg to Marseille, through London and Paris. Then, in 2011, during the world tour, the Village will make a stop in cities like New-York, San Francisco, Dubai and Shanghai.
Yverdon-les-Bains, host city of PlanetSolar’s Village – The city of Yverdon les-Bains and the Association for the Economic Development of Northern Vaud who represents the region, are happy to receive the PlanetSolar Village and thus, to take part in this magnificent adventure. This operation is part of the different promotional actions for sustainable development of PlanetSolar’s partners. A particular partnership will be created with the local institutions, including the HEIG-VD, the CPNV, and the Service of Energy of the city. Numerous manifestations will be organised for the inhabitants of the region and for the schools. Different meetings will also be created in order to reinforce the exchange and networking of the economic actors of the concerned domains.
The construction of the largest solar-powered boat in the world is forging ahead at the Knierim shipyard in Kiel (Germany). The first side hulls have just been completed and the boat should leave the yard by the end of 2009.As far as funding the project is concerned, PlanetSolar SA has just signed a partnership agreement with the Candino Swiss Watch brand. A member of the Festina Group, Candino is one of the major partners of the adventure.The Swiss Confederation, through the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAE), will also be part of the adventure. The DFAE through its “Présence Suisse” unit will support the project in its diplomatic relations worldwide and in its media representation in the different countries visited by PlanetSolar. The departure of the world tour has been postponed to April 2011 in a Mediterranean town which will be selected in the next few weeks. This date was set following results in model basins and wind tunnels, which were not initially scheduled.The PlanetSolar village will be officially inaugurated in September 2009 at Yverdon-les-Bains. A European roadshow is scheduled for 2010. The PlanetSolar boat and village will be stopping in Hamburg, Paris and London. Other stops will be announced later.
Candino Swiss Watch the official PlanetSolar timekeeper – The Candino Swiss Watch brand undertakes to actively support the PlanetSolar project. It will be one of the main sponsors as well as the official timekeeper of the adventure. Notions of time, precision, innovation and reliability are the values shared by Candino and PlanetSolar. For a long time, Candino watches have sought to become involved in a sustainable development driven project. Jean-Claude Schwarz, the Festina-Candino Watch SA CEO, is enthusiastic about the idea of joining forces for this world first. “Candino is proud to participate in a project that reflects its values. For a Swiss made, high quality brand, being part of an innovative concept, developed by a Swiss team and using state-of-the-art technology is an authentic way to contribute to the environment”.
About Candino:
Watch brand founded in 1947 and member of the Festina Group since 2002. Executive management and logistics are based at Bienne. The production site at Herbetswil (SO) has a surface area of 1600 m2 and a daily production capacity of 2000 quartz and mechanical Swiss Made quality watches. Its multi-product collection is targeted at a wide customer base. Retail prices from 150.– to 1200.– CHF. The brand is represented in 65 countries, and is also distributed throughout the 8 subsidiaries of the Festina group. Xenia Tchoumitcheva is the ambassadress of the brand.
DFAE, official partner of PlanetSolar - The PlanetSolar boat will fly the Swiss flag and thus convey a hi-tech, entrepreneurial image for the country as it sails around the world. The PlanetSolar project is part of the DFAE’s international communication project presenting Switzerland as a major player in key areas such as new transport and sustainable development means.
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