Time just zoomed by (figuratively and literally!) real quickly while we are up to our necks with thrilling horological events for the month of September. Thanks to the Formula 1 teams in town, watch enthusiasts in Singapore had the opportunities for encounters in the fast lane. From being introduced to their new racing-inspired timepieces from Roger Dubuis, to scrutinizing the Zaratsu finishing in Grand Seikos, to exploring ladies’ complications with Patek Philippe, we had them all covered in the month of September 2017.
Singapore Horological Happenings for the month of September 2017
The unveiling of the “Heuer Globetrotter” exhibition – 13th September
Collectors and fans in Singapore weren’t just treated to unique pieces from the brand’s heritage in the Heuer Globetrotter exhibition. Nearly 200 guests gathered at the outdoor atrium of the Wisma Atria boutique on the evening of the 13th to kickoff the exhibition, with special appearances from local celebrities and the brand’s ambassadors, Actor and Director Patrick Dempsey and Red Bull Racing Team Driver Max Verstappen. It was a star-studded extravaganza complete with performances by local singers and incessant cheering and screaming from the die-hard fans of the ambassadors.
More information and photos about the unprecedented worldwide exhibition can be found here.
Discovering Patek Philippe’s Mechanical Art for Ladies – 14th September
Friends of the media spent an enjoyable morning on the 14th of September with the wonderful folks at Patek Philippe for a private viewing session of the Ladies’ Complication pieces from the brand. The session was the second installment of the brand’s “Knowledge Series”. It started with Ms Deepa Chatrath, General Manager at Geneva Master Time sharing about the longstanding history of Patek Philippe from making bespoke pocket watches to female customers and up till this day, the brand’s continuous dedication in design craftsmanship to ensure that the ladies complications timepieces are just as worthy as the men’s.
Guests were invited to explore the elements of a Patek Philippe watch at different stations, each highlighting the essentials of what makes up a timepiece respectively, the intricate cases, the variance in dial options and of course, the different movements that make up the complications. Through the hands-on activities, it was proved to be easier for guests to benefit from this highly-educational session.
EDOX x Sauber F1 Team Meet and Greet – 14th September
The Sauber Formula 1 team took time off their track training before the actual Grand Prix to meet and greet with members of the media and racing enthusiasts. The occasion also presented the chance for EDOX to unveil this year’s limited edition timepiece developed in co-operation with the Sauber F1 team of engineers and designers: the “EDOX Chronorally Sauber F1 Team Limited Edition”, limited to 555 pieces worldwide.
Interestingly, during the press interview with Sauber F1 Team driver Marcus Ericsson, it was not members of the media whom conducted the interview, but instead the chance was given to three young local aspiring racers, age 8 to 12 years old, who were invited to the event just to conduct the very special and memorable interview. The three young racers had very impressive credentials themselves too:
- Tiziano Monza, who is 8 years old started karting at 4.5 years old and he is the youngest Singaporean to receive official racing license at 6.5 years old. To date, he had achieved 19 Podium finishes in his first 20 months of International level racing.
- Danial Hakimi, 12 years old and had started karting at 10 years old. He competed in Rok-Cup Series and X30 Southeast Asia, and to date, Danial is 8th placing in overall drivers Championship standing.
- Kalen Chin, who started karting at 4 years old and racing with karts around 7 years old and have qualified in the Singapore National Series to compete in Rok Cup International in Italy.
Questions that were asked revolved around racing techniques, overcoming setbacks in races, and advice on how to become an F1 driver in the future. The meet-and-greet ended with the chance for all of the invited guests to experience the new EDOX Chronorally Sauber F1 Team Limited Edition. More information about this year’s limited edition watch can be found here.
Roger Dubuis announces their partnership with Lamborghini – 15th September
Some two weeks before the press event, the media in Singapore received a highly secretive email from Roger Dubuis inviting us to an exclusive announcement to be made on the 15th of September at Ritz Carlton hotel.
Mr Edouard Cottin, International Sales Director of Roger Dubuis was present to make the announcement of the year – their next huge collaboration partner. Speculation was already rife in the circle, and indeed the partner that was announced was Lamborghini.
The first collaboration piece between Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini Squadra Corse that was revealed was the limited edition Excalibur Aventador S, that would come with a new calibre inspired by Lamborghini’s Aventador S engine. These are two identical pieces, only to come in different colours, one in orange (8 pieces) and the other in yellow (88 pieces).
More information about the watches can be found here.
SWATCH introduces Swatch X You – 21st September
With the help of today’s technology, the term “mass customization” is not new to brands, especially for an inventive one like Swatch. Enabled by lean production, mass customization allows the customer to have exactly what he or she wants in the form of a personalized product, made to meet the needs of consumers’ diverse and changing requirements.
For over 34 years, Swatch has been creating the world’s most innovative timepieces. Now, the design would lie in the customer’s hands (or wrist!). With the new made-to-measure “Swatch X You” series, Swatch fans play the part of budding designer themselves and will be able to create their own signature Swatch in just five easy steps either online or in-store. Featuring pre-designed watch heads, straps, loops and pins, the process makes personalized watch “making” an easy and seamless process.
For more information on Swatch X You, please visit their website for details.
The marvels of Grand Seiko: a talk by Peter Chong at WOWII – 21st September
In a bid to raise the level of awareness in the local watch community, Deployant teamed up with World of Watches II, an Authorized Seiko and Grand Seiko Dealer in Singapore to organise a sharing event with the local watch community. The talk attracted many participants and it was full house at the World of Watches 2, Wisma Atria outlet.
The talk started off with the humble beginnings of K. Hattori Watch Company back in 1881, but it was not until 1960 that the first Grand Seiko was released – the 3180. Chief Editor Peter Chong shared about the history till date in 2017, when Grand Seiko officially became an independent brand from Seiko.
Apart from the history of Grand Seiko, Peter also touched on their design grammar, the famous Zaratsu finishing, and of course the various types of movements used in Grand Seiko watches.
For the full review and more photos of the event, please visit here.
Introducing the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition and 2017 novelties – 27th September
Chopard invited their customers to their boutique to experience their latest arrivals announced during Baselworld 2017 on 27th Sept. Guests gathered over champagne and was awed by the finishing of the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition. The 46mm sporty timepiece won the hearts of many collectors thanks to its uniquely busy yet extremely legible design: a luscious porcelain-white dial punctuated with Superluminova-painted large Arabic numerals.
Another piece that made its rounds highly favoured by the collectors was the Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist QF Fairmined. It comes in a case that is crafted in ethical rose gold and a hard-to-miss slate grey stamped sunburst textured dial.
For more information on the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition, please visit here; for more information on the Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist QF Fairmined please visit here.
The NOMOS Zürich Weltzeit Singapore Limited Edition Launch at Watches of Switzerland – 28th September
In retrospect to about a year ago in 2016, where NOMOS and The Hour Glass held a mutual event, the avid collectors had then asked for a Singapore edition of the Zürich Weltzeit, NOMOS’ world-time wristwatch. Fast forward to 28th September this year, some of the collectors who suggested the watch gathered again at Watches of Switzerland in Vivocity to witness the launch of their brainchild, the NOMOS Zürich Weltzeit Singapore Limited Edition or affectionately nicknamed “NOMOS Red Dot” in both variants, the salmon dial (15 pieces) and the white dial (35 pieces).
We were informed that the salmon dial was so well-received that it was sold out immediately upon launch. Interested parties may still opt for the NOMOS Red Dot in white dial at The Hour Glass website here.
For more information of the two watches, please visit here.
Tudor #BorntoDare Exhibition by Sincere Fine Watches – 28th September
More than just a showcase of their recent offerings, Tudor Singapore and Sincere Fine Watches brought in some key historical pieces from the Tudor Museum for this exhibition held at Takashimaya Shopping Center, Main Atrium, which runs till 3rd October.
The history of Tudor’s dive watches used as military watches in the field was further elaborated through the display and books. Also being highlighted in this exhibition are the technical features of the highly sought-after present-day Tudor Heritage Black Bay. It was truly an exhibition where the past and present meets.
For more information on the exhibition please visit the Sincere Fine Watches Instagram page.
