On 2 November 2014, Nik Wallenda, the “King of the Highwire”, now 9-time World Record holder and Jeanrichard ambassador, crossed the skyline of Chicago for Discovery’s Skyscraper Live with Nik Wallenda. The Chicago riverfront was filled with over 65 000 spectators from all over the world, who followed Wallenda’s every step on the tightrope. During the 8 minutes and 09 seconds adventure, Wallenda was accompanied by his newly revealed Jeanrichard Terrascope special edition timepiece featuring a bezel that was inspired by the cross-section of his wire.
The walk took Nik Wallenda across the Chicago River on an inch (approx. 2.5cm/size of a US quarter coin) wide steel cable, starting at a height of 588 feet (about 180 meters) from the Marina City West tower, when he went upward at a 19-degree angle, rising 83 feet (about 25 meters) to the Leo Burnett Building and setting the first world record for the steepest tightrope walk in 6 minutes and 52 seconds in winds that were gusting at up to 25mph (about 40 km/h).
Wallenda's second part of the walk was from the Marina City west tower to the east one at a height of 543 feet (about 165 meters), while he was blindfolded. That set the second world record for the highest blindfolded walk. It took Wallenda 1 minute and 17 seconds to cross these 94 feet (about 29 meters).
“It’s a pleasure to once again be partnered with Jeanrichard now also on my Chicago highwire walk. We share the same ‘Philosophy of Life’ where excellence in your craft and a sense of adventure are necessary to accomplishing great feats. Jeanrichard shares and understands the great commitment needed for success, whether it be on the highwire or on the watchmaking bench.”
The design of the special edition watch for Nik Wallenda is integrally inspired by his walks. The vertically satin-finished steel case features a bezel, whose main pattern reflects the cross section of the wire, while Nik Wallenda’s logo is illustrating the artist walking on the grey brushed dial. This Terrascope also features an engraved “Special Nik Wallenda Edition” case back, and offers a black rubber strap that goes hand in hand with the steel case and provides maximum comfort on the wrist.
“To us, Nik represents the strong values of Jeanrichard and the true spirit of an adventurer just perfectly. We are excited to support him in his passion for the extraordinary and to contribute to his success”, said Bruno Grande, Managing Director of Jeanrichard. “And especially excited after this World Record setting walk as we just presented him before his grand success and also the watch aficionados with a special edition time-piece created for and with the King of the Highwire.”
