Press Release: Zenith Boutique Opening.

ZENITH OPENED ITS FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE AT MARINA BAY SANDS

15 August 2014 – After almost one year of preparation, Zenith opens its flagship boutique in Marina Bay Sands. As one of the most awarded Swiss watchmaking brand in the entire history, the boutique marks the brand’s first standalone presence in South East Asia.

The lush 656 square feet boutique features a collection of watches from the five families namely; Academy, El Primero, Pilot, Captain & Star. Besides the iconic models, limited edition pieces such as

The Pilot Type 20 Red Baron, The El Primero Lightweight & The El Primero Chronomaster Lady are also available. The Singapore Boutique Edition, a limited edition watch of forty-five pieces with the 410 Calibre will soon join the collection in order to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the El Primero movement launch in 1969.

"It is indeed an El Primero moment for us to bring the Zenith experience to South East Asia, “said

Mr. Hugo Escude, Brand Director of Zenith South East Asia.

The team is currently gearing up for its Grand Opening on 7 October, 2014 where Zenith Brand Ambassador and “Dare Devil” Felix Baumgartner will grace the event. Details will be shared at a later date but the team promises it be an exciting evening with the brand creating many “firsts”, adhering close to the core value of “authenticity”.

The brand with the guiding star is set to soar to greater heights in this beautiful part of the world. 

The Boutique at MBS

Ribbon cutting ceremony Hugo Escude (Brand Director,Zenith SEA), Felix Baumgartner and Aldo Magada (CEO, Zenith)  

 Felix Baumgartner autographed on the astronaut figurine.

The Zenith Team: Hugo Escude (Brand Director), Vivian Lee (Brand Manager)& Nicolas Meda (Commercial Director) 

Let the party begin!!!

Arrival of guests to the party.

 

Welcome speech by Aldo Magada (CEO, Zenith)  

Hugo Escude (Brand Director,Zenith South East Asia)

An interview with Felix Baumgartner

A game of table tennis and the lucky winner walked away with a Zenith wall clock. 

Some vintage Zenith timepieces were on display.

The current collection......

The Zenith Captain Winsor Annual Calendar

The Zenith Pilot Type 20 GMT is one of the more popular piece among collectors 

The Zenith Captain Moonphase

Zenith El Primero  Helios

Zenith El Primero  Flyback

Lovely Zenith watches that were spotted on collector's wrists!

Thank you Zenith for the delightful evening! 

                 

Breguet 2014 Novelties......

Thanks to Peter Chong of Deployant.com I was able to view the Breguet 2014 novelties at the Breguet boutique in MBS. Friends of Deployant  #DeployantFriendsWithBenefits also turned up for a fun evening of watch talk. I had a great time meeting new friends and catching up with the old pals. Hope you enjoy the following pics....  

There was also a display of the Breguet collection near the boutique

Friends of Deployant having a great time.

I was pleased to make some new friends ;)

We were glad that Fabien Levrion (VP, Swatch Group/Breguet) was able to share with us the amazing magnetic pivot innovation used in the La Classique Chronometrie 7727

Close-up view of the enlarged model of the magnetic mechanism patented in November 2010 

The Breguet collection on display.....

Ref 7047 series...

A classic piece for the ladies.

The extra-thin self-winding Tourbillon 5377 housed in a 7mm thick case 

(movement thickness of 3mm) is another stunning piece!

La Classique Chronometrie 7727 oscillates at 10Hz

That's all folks! Thank you Breguet and Deployant for the lovely evening!

More event photos in the coming weeks, stay tuned!

Press Release: Omega Salutes Its Space Legacy.........

OMEGA SALUTES ITS SPACE LEGACY WITH

THE SPEEDMASTER “GREY SIDE OF THE MOON“

Pure ceramic and platinum enhance this new state-of-the-art timepiece

OMEGA is proud to unveil the Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon”, a stunning new solid ceramic timepiece that was created using a particularly innovative process. While this new grey timepiece boasts a look similar to its alluring counterpart, the Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon”, it features several design elements that distinguish it from any other model the brand has ever introduced.

Inspired by the lunar dust that captured mankind’s first and last steps on the Moon, this shimmering model is crafted from white ceramic that has been transformed through-and-through to shimmering metallic grey. This transformation is made in a high-temperature plasma furnace.

The white case material is subjected to an unimaginable 20,000 degrees Celsius for three hours in the plasma heating chamber, which containing different gases. This process causes the white ceramic material to turn grey.

The case, caseback, bezel, crown, pushers and buckle of this 44.25 mm timepiece are crafted from the same ceramic material. Engraved on the caseback is the name of the watch: “GREY SIDE OF THE MOON”.

Distinguishing the Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon” is the Super-LumiNova tachymetric scale on the brushed ceramic bezel – another first from OMEGA. The numbers and marks on the bezel have been engraved and filled with Super-LumiNova making it possible for the wearer to read the tachymeter scale in a variety of lighting conditions. The Ω symbol on the crown is also filled with Super-LumiNova.

The sand-blasted 950 platinum dial gives the Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon” a more elegant and classic look while underscoring the craftsmanship that went into creating the watch. Two integrated platinum sub-dials distinguish the timepiece from its legendary predecessor, OMEGA’s “Moonwatch”. These two sub-dials are made possible by the innovative placement of the 12-hour and 60-minute counters on the same sub-dial at the 3 o’clock position, allowing a comfortable and intuitive chronograph reading. The black plated central chronograph seconds hand has a red tip and is coated with white Super-LumiNova, as are the central hour and minute hands, indexes and two dots at 12 o’clock. The impressive dial is protected by a box-form scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides.

The Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon” is presented on a grey leather strap and has a rubber insert with holes on the area where the buckle is fastened. On the underside of the strap there is red stitching that complements the red accents on the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 9300 visible through the bevelled sapphire crystal caseback.

 The incredibly advanced Co-Axial chronograph movement is equipped with an Si14 silicon balance spring. The Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon” is offered with a full four-year warranty and is delivered in a special presentation box.

Retailing at SGD16,300 this boutique exclusive will be available in Singapore targeted Dec 2014/Jan 2015.  

Press Release: Hublot Party....

An Army of Hublot Fans United to celebrate Hublot’s latest Pop-Up Store in the Heart of Orchard Road, installed in conjunction with the Singapore Formula One weekend!

24 September 2014, Singapore – Hublot Nation! Hublot’s latest monster pop up affair was unveiled to 300 of Hublot’s top VIP customers on the day it first opened, 16 September 2014. The jam-packed cocktail event was a celebration of all things Hublot as it came alive that night in the heart of Orchard Road. Hublot Nation is a showcase of the unique world of Hublot from World’s First high-tech materials engineered into exclusive limited edition timepieces to premium collectibles.

The opening party of Hublot Nation kick starts a series of exciting events held in conjunction with the 2014 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX and the throngs of crowds that gathered at Hublot Nation is a testament to the Swiss luxury watch brand’s extensive followers within the region. It is also the perfect platform to showcase Hublot’s power and influence as a pioneering leader in innovative watchmaking. Guests at the event indulged in a gastronomical affair,energetic dance tracks by technically skilled DJ Inquisitive and a visual treat to Hublot’s captivating universe including:

The world premiere of the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Firmament, an exquisite timepiece that is made with osmium crystal, a World First. Osmium is one of the world’s rarest and most prized metals. An exemplary demonstration of Hublot’s expertise in discovering nouveau materials and bridging it with traditional watchmaking

Unveiling the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Skull – a rare timepiece of just 50 pieces worldwide using an entirely new material to Hublot, ceramized aluminium. It is a lightweight case material that is at once hard, dense and extremely resistant at the same time.

A showcase of Hublot that far exceeds timepieces alone – from carbon fibre cufflinks, writing instruments and imposing wall clocks, Hublot Nation is the ultimate destination for Hublot enthusiasts. Guests were also in awe of the store’s overall store aesthetics which communicated a cosmic vision of the unknown and a celestial portrayal and possibility of life beyond earth, inviting visitors to encounter a different realm. Standing at a commanding 6.5 metres tall, it is realised with an inspired interplay of illuminations to achieve a mesmerizing glow to the façade. The design of the structure was achieved by a collaboration with Mr. Mathias Buttet, Director of Hublot’s Research & Development, the man responsible for Hublot’s extraordinary masterpieces such as the Antikythera and Manufacture Piece MP-05 LaFerrari; with his vision playing off of Hublot’s unique motto “Art of Fusion”: fusion between tradition and innovation, fusion between materials, fusion which connects the past with the future.

Hublot Nation ran from 16 September to 22 September 2014 and is proudly presented by The Hour Glass, who has been the exclusive retailer of Hublot for 30-over years in South East Asia.

Following are some of the photos that I took............