Post Event Report: The Speedy Tuesday Event World Tour Singapore.

The Speedy Tuesday Event World Tour which debuted in Milan this May and had since made its way to Singapore. In June, I had the honour to attend the event and to meet Robert-Jan Broer, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fratello Watches for the first time.

Besides helming one of the most prominent horological online magazines, Robert is famously known as the man who sold his car to buy a Speedmaster (ref 145.012-67 with the 321 movement) when he was a student back in 1999.

His love for the Speedmaster also led him coining the term “Speedy Tuesday” and the rest, as they say, is history!

Sharing the pics I took at the spectacular event...

Jose De Cardoso (President, Swatch Group Southeast Asia) chatting with Omega fans who were there early for the event.

Press Release: Jaquet Droz Celebrates The New Chinese Zodiac With 4 Exclusive Creations

All Photos supplied 

Press Release by Omega: A New Seamaster 007 Edition!

All Photos supplied by OMEGA

The 25th official James Bond film, No Time To Die, will be released in April 2020 and OMEGA has unveiled the new timepiece that will be worn by 007 in the film. As well as appearing on screen, this non-limited watch will also be made available in OMEGA’s current collection from February.

Press Release: Sinn Commemorates The Hour Glass’ 40th Anniversary with a 356 Pilot Limited Edition

Press Release by The Hour Glass
In honour of The Hour Glass’ 40th anniversary, Sinn Spezialuhren specially created a commemorative edition of the iconic 356 Pilot to celebrate this milestone. Founded in 1961 with its core business in manufacturing navigation clocks and pilot chronographs, the 58-year-old German manufacture now prides itself on producing highly functional mechanical watches.

Press Release: Celebrating 40 years of The Hour Glass Presenting the UR-105 Commemorative Edition in Bronze

URWERK’s gratitude to The Hour Glass takes the form of an original watchmaking creation, unveiled today. The watchmaker’s tribute to its Singapore partner for 15 years is a series of three self-winding watches made in bronze. “Bronze also marks the passage of time,” URWERK’s co-founder, Martin Frei, points out. “Every hour leaves its mark, creating a living patina.”

Press Release: "Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight" Lands In Iceland

Photo Credit: IWC

"Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight" Lands in Iceland, with singer JJ Julius Son from rock band Kaleo welcoming the pilots to his home country

PILOT REPORT:

“We couldn’t have wished for a better send-off for the Silver Spitfire from Goodwood. Although it had poured with rain during the morning, we had great weather for the afternoon take-off. A quick stop at the Faroe Islands was followed by a smooth journey to our first layover - Iceland. As well as being stunned by the remarkable landscape, we had the pleasure to catch up with JJ Julius Son, from the Icelandic band Kaleo, who we had already met at the SIHH gala dinner in January. JJ was kind enough to show us the sights of Reykjavik and even found time to take us out for some drinks. It was a great city and we felt really welcome. We even ended up being featured on the frontpage of the Icelandic newspaper Fréttablaðið, which was a great honour. ”

“Adverse weather meant we had to stay a little longer than originally scheduled, but it gave us the chance to enjoy even more of the beautiful scenery, before we eventually bid farewell to that captivating country. With improved conditions, we reached Greenland; flying over the polar cap is something we’ll never forget. We’re currently on the go again and we aim to land at New York’s Teterboro Airport by August 15th.”

NEXT SCHEDULED STOPS: Canada, then New York.

Stay updated and follow the journey live on a dedicated flight tracker: here

Press Release: Chopard & The Hour Glass 40th Anniversary Special Edition

Chopard & The Hour Glass 40th Anniversary Special Edition

In celebration of The Hour Glass 40th Anniversary, Chopard has collaborated with The Hour Glass to produce a special Happy Sport. Available in 50-piece limited edition and numbered, this 36mm watch in stainless steel celebrates the essence of the collection translating the message of joy and free spirit.

Event Report: The Watch Club Asia Facebook Group GTG

The Watch Club Asia (Facebook group) hosted members of the group to a preview of the Bell & Ross 2019 Novelties. The event was well attended and members had a great time checking out the latest timepieces from Bell & Ross. Thanks for the invite, TWCA!

Following are the highlights of the event...

Albert Neo, one of the Club founders, shared the Club's mission statement with the group. 

Press Release by Omega: The Speedmaster Apollo 11, 50th Anniversary Limited Edition

There were many world-changing moments that defined the first lunar landing in 1969. From famous words to dusty footprints, it was a mission that remains unforgettable in so many ways. On the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, OMEGA is proud to unveil a new Speedmaster Limited Edition that pays tribute to those iconic hours. Now, you can wear the first watch worn on the moon and also relive its journey.

Press Release by Rado: Rado Captain Cook Automatic Limited Edition With Travel Case

A vintage look for modern time travellers

All Photographs supplied by Rado

(Lengnau, Switzerland – 2019) We are living in a world of contradictions. In our constantly connected lives, we sometimes find ourselves dreaming of simpler times even as we appreciate the convenience of modern technology. If only we could have one foot in the past and one in the present.

Press Release by Glashütte Original : “Talking About Trees” wins Glashütte Original – Documentary Award 2019

 Director Suhaib Gasmelbari and producer Marie Balducchi with the award trophy

Photo Copyright: Cecile Mella

 Glashütte Original supported the 69th Berlinale as Partner and Award sponsor. 

Glashütte Original offers heartfelt congratulations to Suhaib Gasmelbari, who has won the Glashütte Original – Documentary Award at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. The Sudanese filmmaker was honored for his film, “Talking About Trees”, a documentary on the history of the Sudanese cinema. The award, donated by the Saxon watch manufactory and endowed with 50,000 euros, was presented Saturday evening during the official award ceremonies at the Berlinale Palace. Glashütte Original also supported the 69th Berlinale as a sponsor this year.

Press Release: SWATCH Group Key Figures 2018

SWATCH Group Key Figures 2018

• Group net sales increased by 6.1% to CHF 8 475 million at current exchange rates (+5.7% at constant rates).

• Operating result increased by 15.2% to CHF 1 154 million. Operating margin increased from 12.5% in the previous year to 13.6%.

• Net income increased by 14.8% to CHF 867 million, with a net margin of 10.2% (previous year: 9.5%).

• Dividend proposal: increase of 6.7% to CHF 8.00 per bearer share and CHF 1.60 per registered share.

• Business slowed in the last three months of the year under review. The month of December in particular was slow, due in part to the very high comparison basis.

• Production companies in the Habillage sector (cases, dials, watch hands, etc.) worked at or even above capacity limits, which led to significant delivery delays, mainly for products for Omega and Longines.

• Record number of 212 new patent applications in 2018.

• Creation of over 1,700 new jobs, mainly in Switzerland.

• January 2019 started with solid growth, even in comparison with the very strong January in the previous year. The Swatch Group expects a positive trend in 2019, both in demand and in elimination of capacity bottlenecks.

IWC 2019 SIHH models

IWC Schaffhausen presented the new Spitfire Pilot’s collection this year.  Following are some of the watches that caught my attention. The Spitfire watches feature IWC's manufactured calibres with designs inspired by the Mark 11.


Photo Credit: IWC

Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire (Ref. IW326801)

Breaking News! OMEGA Reintroduces The Iconic Caliber 321

The original Cal 321

 Press Release from Omega

OMEGA Reintroduces The Iconic Caliber 321
If you ask most watch fans to name a famous movement they'd like to see reborn, you're bound to hear them mention the OMEGA Calibre 321. This robust and elegant chronograph movement has been a favourite since the 1940s and is still highly sought-after by watch collectors around the world. Now, more than 50 years after the last Calibre 321 was produced, OMEGA is bringing the iconic movement back.

Press Release: 2019 Pre-SIHH: Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents The Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel.

MASTER ULTRA THIN MOON ENAMEL

The Master Ultra Thin charms any watch-enthusiast or devotee with its round shape and pure lines.
Featuring an extremely thin case, these models highlights the arts of guilloche and enameling, two of
the Rare Handcrafts (“Métiers Rares®”) which have been kept alive for generations at the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux. Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of the few Manufactures offering gem-setting, engraving, guillochage and enameling at its workshops, artistic techniques that require delicate and subtle work, typically done by hand and with the assistance of machines, more often than not, over a hundred years old. This year, technical and artistic precision takes on a new dimension. The Art of Precision stands out as the signature of Jaeger-LeCoultre.