THE
GENESIS OF CONTEMPORARY HOROLOGICAL CULTURE
Presenting
21 Novelties
7 Exclusives For The Hour Glass
4 Live Technical Artistry Showcases
Singapore, 21 August 2013 – The Hour Glass will unveil another
groundbreaking project in the form of a pop-up store situated at the heart of
Orchard Road at leading shopping centre, Paragon from 18th to 30th September. Themed “Super Machines and Horological Heroes”,
this pop-up will stage some of the most iconic and avant-garde timepieces, paying
homage to a collective of individuals who revolutionised watchmaking and watch
design at the turn of the millennium.
Coinciding with the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix Race weekend,
“Super
Machines and Horological Heroes”
will offer a unique cultural experience to both locals and out-of-town guests during
the 13-day showcase at the Main Atrium of Paragon shopping centre.
“The Hour Glass is delighted
to present its first global pop-up store.
Our desire is to celebrate the best in contemporary horology and
watchmaking of the past decade. And to
do so by creating a unique temporal platform where The Hour Glass will both curate
and unveil a series of exceptional avant-garde horological machines, many of which
have been exclusively created for The Hour Glass,” commented Ms Wong Mei Ling,
Managing Director of The Hour Glass Singapore.
She continues, “We have
strategically timed “Super Machines and Horological Heroes”
when Singapore plays host to the world’s most prestigious international motor
sporting event - the Formula One Grand Prix.
We believe this initiative will ultimately inspire and cultivate the
appreciation of contemporary horology in Singapore and beyond.”
A ‘Playground’ where Inspiration
Meets Manifestation
Stemming from The Hour Glass’ reputation as a pioneering stalwart
in promotion and development of contemporary horological culture around the
world, “Super Machines and Horological Heroes” is another manifestation
of this mission.
“Super Machines and Horological Heroes” seeks to play out
the virtuosity of visionary watchmakers and profiling their technically
innovative masterpieces. Since the dawn
of the new millennium heralding the birth of contemporary watchmaking: a period
where visionaries sought to define a new path for horology with a respect for patrimony
whilst shaking design conventions of what is considered high watchmaking.
Hailed by pundits as ‘Superheroes’
in the world of horology, these trailblazing brands and individuals harnessed
the dexterity and technological advancement in artistic watchmaking; giving
rise to these spectacular ‘super machines’.
The New Millennium: The Birth of Contemporary Horological Art
The evolution of
technology and the courage of a few brave men opened a new chapter in watchmaking
at the turn of the new millennium. Timekeepers
further evolved from being strictly a time telling device into sculptural and kinetic
works of art; or by our definition, horological machines.
Some of the significant
breakthroughs as seen in the movement architecture, case, dial, interface and
concepts have contributed to this phenomenon and challenged the
traditional. The quest for the
employment of new materials such as Silicium, touted as one of the significant
materials in movement as it requires little or no lubrication, novel alloys
like tantalum and magic gold (a scratch-resistant alloy created through the amalgamation
of gold and ceramic) have been brought to the fold. The ingenious interplay between a watch movement
and its dial as seen in the carousel inspired dial or revolving satellite
movement are contemporary interpretations of the manner in which time can be told.
The blend of
sophisticated aesthetics, uncompromising craftsmanship, technical innovation
and ingenuity only demonstrate the chronometric excellence of these
masterpieces; while maintaining accuracy and efficiency over a long period of
time - an essential point that should be anchored in any breakthroughs.
These remarkable
technological achievements are manifested in the pop-up through the
masterpieces on display - every piece an object of beauty and passion that are
created from the hands of true artisans.
“Each timepiece is an objet d’art and
not just a mere object of telling time. Serving
as an educational platform, it seeks to fuel exchange of views and ideas
amongst watch aficionados, collectors and watch enthusiasts alike through
various activities and plenary discussion,” adds Ms Wong.
Heralding a Platform of Many-Firsts:
The Hour Glass
Limited Editions and Novelties
There will be an inauguration of 21 inimitable timepieces
of which 7 limited-editions are exclusively available through The Hour Glass.
These exclusives editions
are Ferrari
Big Bang by Hublot, Experiment ZR012 by C3H5N3O9 (an
exclusive collaboration between two creative houses - MB&F and Urwerk), Bugatti
Super Sport by Parmigiani Fleurier, Freak by Ulysse Nardin, Imperial
Fountain by De Bethune, Poison Dart Frog by MB&F and Galet
Micro-Rotor by Laurent Ferrier.
Hall of Fame
Akin to the oscars, The
Hour Glass will showcase a selection of masterpieces
that had garnered awards at the renowned Grand Prix d’Horologerie de Geneve
(GPHG) held in Switzerland from 2006.
A Convergence of Legendary
Independent Watchmakers and Artisans
In a world of mass production, it is laudable that
true artisans still exist. Legendary
independent grand watchmasters are the exemplars of highly skilled craftsmen
honoring ancient traditions to produce only limited numbers of exquisite eponymous
timepieces where every piece is painstakingly put together. The exhibition showcases
some of these claim-to-fame masterpieces by luminaries such as Philippe
Dufour, Vianney Halter, Kari Voutilainen,
Roger Smith and Laurent Ferrier.
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Expect a
plenary session where these watch masters convene on:
Date: Thursday,
26 September 2013
Time: 7.00pm
– 9.00pm
By: Mr
Kevin Tan, Moderator, International Watch Forum
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Artisanal Showcase –
“Metiers de la Maine”
Witness
some of the specialist artisans and master watchmakers on-hand demonstrating
the finesse and intricate craftsmanship of their masterpieces:
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Reuge The Craft of
Mechanical Symphony 18
to 30 September
Parmigiani
Fleurier The Art of Restoration 18
to 21 September
Hublot The
Intricacies of A Chronograph 22 to 25 September
Ulysse
Nardin The Mastery of
the Freak Dual Escapement 26 to 30
September
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In short, “Super Machines and Horological
Heroes” sets the stage for a celebration of watchmaking culture in all
its glory - with everything from brand showcases, to panel discussions by
watchmaking luminaries, and a unique many -firsts among others.
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ABOUT THE HOUR GLASS POP-UP
STORE
Duration: 18 – 30 September 2013
Venue: Main Atrium, Paragon Shopping
Mall
290 Orchard Road, Singapore
Time: 10am to 9pm daily
Partners: De
Bethune, H Moser & Cie, Hublot, MB&F, Parmigiani Fleurier,
Romain
Jerome, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk
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