Press Release: Glashütte Original strengthens its presence in Hong Kong.

German watchmaker opens new boutique on Kai Chiu Road, Causeway Bay.

On October 16, 2015, German high-end watch manufacturer Glashütte Original held an official opening ceremony for its mono-brand boutique on Kai Chiu Road. In the presence of Ms. Christina Hentschel, Vice President Marketing of Glashütte Original, Mr. Gilbert Ho, Vice President of Glashütte Original Hong Kong, as well as celebrity Ms. Grace Chan and Mr. Alex Lam, the new store was officially presented to the media and selected VIP guests.

The ceremony commenced with officiating guests holding a large key shaped as Glashütte Original’s famous duplex swan-neck fine adjustment. With the guests inserting the symbolic key and lighting up a specially designed pedestal, the ceremony continued with the traditional lion dance which symbolizes blessings of good fortune and auspiciousness.

Ms. Christina Hentschel commented: “The new store is another step in enhancing Glashütte Original’s presence in Hong Kong by providing an unparalleled shopping experience for customers. The store not only provides luxurious comfort, but also fully reflects purity, clarity, functionality, some of Glashütte Original’s qualities celebrated around the world. The store opening also coincides with our recent launch of the Sixties Iconic Collection, which is a tribute to the memorable design of timepieces from the 1960s. This collection as well as other exquisite timepieces will be showcased at the store also.”

Guests were invited to explore the new spacious boutique, which combines clear German design with a warm and welcoming atmosphere across its 118 m2 surface. Carefully chosen materials, an assured and stylish interior with a clearly contemporary concept render Glashütte Original’s essential features both visible and tangible. The carved metal ceiling displays the outlines of a mechanical movement while an impressive “wonder wall” showcases the numerous fine components of Glashütte Original movements, both designed to enhance the authentic atmosphere of German precision engineering.

Visitors of the boutique can appreciate more closely all of the intricately detailed and superbly finished components through a built-in magnifying glass. This way, the device allows guests to enjoy a visual feast of Glashütte Original’s fine craftsmanship.

 

This concept of the “wonder wall”, greatly enjoyed by customers worldwide, is available only at the Kai Chiu Road store. As the first of its kind in Hong Kong, the “wonder wall” allows watch aficionados to immerse themselves in the unique watchmaking expertise of Glashütte Original.

In order to provide ultimate physical comfort to customers, a luxurious lounge at the rear of the boutique was designed to enhance the overall visual, emotional and personalized experience for visitors. Customers may further explore the brand’s horological excellence with a spectacular video showcase through two complementary plasma screens, which provide detailed insights into the traditional art of German watchmaking as it has been practiced in the town of Glashütte since 1845.

The inauguration in Hong Kong follows a series of recent openings of new boutiques and additional points of sale of the brand such as in Beijing at Shin Kong Place or in Madrid at the famous department store El Corte Inglés.

Details of the new Glashütte Original Boutique:
Address: G/F, 10 Kai Chiu Road,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Phone: (852) 2504 1418
Email: Boutique.KaiChiuRoad.HK@glashuette-original.com
Opening hours: 10:30-22:00 daily

Press Event: The Patek Philippe Dome Clock.

The Shenton Way crowd were treated with lunch time symphonies the past week when and The Hour Glass exhibited the Patek Philippe Farquhar Collection Dome Clock in their boutique at One Raffles Place. 

Three Dome Clocks namely "Farquhar Collection", "Peranakan Culture" and The Esplanade-Singapore" were created by Patek Philippe specially for Singapore's Golden Jubilee and The Hour Glass won this marvelous clock in a charity auction. The proceeds from the auction went to the National Heritage Board of Singapore.

The Dome Clock acquired by The Hour Glass at one million dollars.

The crowd enjoying music from a String Quartet, Chinese Orchestra and Harpist.

A huge replica of the Dome Clock was placed at the lawn outside the boutique

A journalist admiring the Dome Clock.

The Farquhar Dome Clock is adorned with cloisonne enamel decoration. 

A huge collection of Patek timepieces are also available in the boutique.

Press Release: IWC Schaffhausen Inaugurates New Concept Boutique In Bangkok.

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen proudly announces the opening of a boutique at the Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok, Thailand. The boutique is the first in South East Asia to implement a brand-new boutique design concept which features innovative interior design, materials and display arrangements, aimed at providing watch connoisseurs with an even more refined Swiss haute horlogerie experience.

“An IWC boutique in the capital city of Thailand is of great importance to the brand. The new boutique located in Siam Paragon is an affirmation of the growing significance of the Thai market and of our future vision. With the new
boutique, we are pleased to offer IWC enthusiasts a location where they can select from among an exquisite range of IWC timepieces and experience the brand’s philosophy of engineering excellence,” said Matthieu Dupont, Managing
Director of IWC Schaffhausen South East Asia.

NEW BOUTIQUE CONCEPT

The new Siam Paragon boutique is the first to implement the brand-new boutique concept in South East Asia, which inspires to fascinate and underline IWC’s signature with the traditional fine art of watchmaking. Designed by IWC’s in-house team of architects, the new boutique design concept is a perfect embodiment of the brand’s core values of innovation and engineering excellence. It provides an exceptional and sophisticated setting to showcase the full range of IWC’s haute horlogerie masterpieces, welcoming long-time watch connoisseurs and new admirers alike. Upon arrival, the striking boutique facade immediately draws visitors in. The unique interior architecture provides the perfect backdrop for the collection, featuring a mix of finely crafted glossy Macassar timber furnishings and lush carpeting, against touches of white and chrome.

A LUXURIOUS EXPERIENCE

Great attention to detail and excellent craftsmanship further emphasize the technical pioneering spirit that IWC is globally renowned for. The Siam Paragon boutique offers ingeniously segmented floor space, perfectly showcasing
IWC’s full range of haute horlogerie. A feature wall unit grounds IWC’s coveted timepieces in the brand’s traditions and adds a sense of depth and history, while a wall console and two library wall showcases provide presentation space for IWC’s six product families, as well as the exclusive collection. A central table in the middle of the boutique, with additional showcases on top, completes this luxurious setting of watch displays.

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN

With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design.
As an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions around the globe in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations
dedicated to climate and environmental protection.

Press Release: Omega Presents The World's First Master Chronometer.

Beginning a new era in watchmaking excellence, OMEGA and METAS proudly share the creation, process and results of the industry-changing Master Chronometer certification.

 

At a press conference held at OMEGA’s HQ in Biel, Switzerland, the world’s first Master Chronometer has been made official. Not only does this represent a momentous occasion for the brand, it also sets a new standard of watchmaking for the entire industry.

In 2014, OMEGA and the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) announced their collaboration on a new watch certification, whereby precision and performance would be tested and approved like never before. A year on, and the entire process is now fully active. With a new METAS Lab housed at the heart of OMEGA’s operations, the Globemaster has officially become the first watch to achieve the “Master Chronometer” rating.

On stage, Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek was joined by Dr Christian Bock, Director of METAS, as well as Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA, and Andreas Hobmeier, OMEGA's Vice President of Production and Procurement.

Opening the press conference, Nick Hayek described the importance of the moment. “We all know about the importance of beautiful products, history and innovation. But one other thing is so important. That’s trust. Trust for our consumers. By working with an independent organisation such as METAS, we can be transparent for the consumer, and reconfirm that the Swiss watch industry is the leader in precision and innovation.”

METAS has of course been a critical partner in creating the new Master Chronometer certification. Speaking on stage, Dr Bock described the importance of their role and reconfirmed the message of trust.

“Trust is the core of our business at METAS. We are a government agency, the leading centre for all measurements in Switzerland. And above all, we are consumer and client driven. That’s why it was important to ensure that this new standard for mechanical watches is open to every brand.”

 

While industry-standard COSC certification remains an integral part of OMEGA’s process, the new METAS testing will effectively double the certification of each watch, giving OMEGA and other Swiss watchmakers the opportunity to demonstrate the quality and timekeeping performance of their watches to a greater extent than has previously been possible. With 8 tests carried out over 10 days, each watch must pass a range of criteria that replicate real-life wearing conditions, including exposure to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss.

After explaining each individual test, Mr Hobmeier proudly displayed the world’s first Master Chronometer, the Globemaster, while briefly describing the effort involved in its creation.

“Trust is something you can only gain if you walk the talk. Our team has been working very hard with METAS to perfect the details. It is an honour to present the first watch that has passed these tests.”

The test results of the watch were also shown, demonstrating how customers can now check the individual results of their own watch by going online.

Having achieved this milestone, OMEGA has signalled the future of the brand. As a renowned watchmaking pioneer, this occasion will certainly rank as one of its most defining moments.

To find out more about the OMEGA Globemaster and Master Chronometer certification, go to the following link: World's First Master Chronometer.

For a revealing look at the METAS testing process, watch OMEGA’s quality movie online: Video

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black Launch in Singapore.

Last week, amid much fanfare, Tudor held a launch party to unveil the Black Bay Black – A re-issue Tudor diver from 1954. The Black Bay Black is the latest from the extremely popular Tudor Heritage Black Bay collection which encompassed two other earlier re-issues. 

The evening started out with cocktails held in the courtyard of MoCA@Loewen. Guests were soon ushered into the gallery for the launch. Mediacorp artists Xu Bin, Aloysius Pang, Jayley Woo and Hayley Woo were also invited to grace the event.

Cocktails were served in the garden.

Guests inside the gallery waiting for the launch.

Welcome speech by emcee Rosalyn Lee.

Unveiling the Tudor Black Bay Black!

Mediacorp artists Hayley Woo, Xu Bin, Aloysius Pang and Jayley Woo. 

Irene Ngu (GM, Tudor Southeast Asia) with the Mediacorp stars. 

Xu Bin and Aloysius Pang posed with Tudor Black Bay on their wrists.

Since the launch last week, social media has been awash with reviews and positive comments on this watch. 

Although it is not mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Submariner, it is easy to understand the appeal of this watch. This is supported by the trend of re-issues these couple of years, the watch’s classic vintage look as well as its accessible price point.

A wrist shot....Looks pretty good on the wrist! It's another well made piece that will be a great addition to your Tudor Black Bay collection.  

Some vintage Tudors on display.

A nice pair of Tudor Pelagos.

The Tudor girls!

Tudor also hired a fleet of 30 cars to drive guests home. A very thoughtful gesture indeed!

Thank you Tudor Singapore, Irene Ngu and Terence Puah for the lovely evening!

Launch of Tudor Ducati Fastrider here... Tudor Fastrider

Tudor North Flag launch here.....North Flag Launch