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.

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. 

Event Report: New CEO of Breitling, Georges Kern visits Singapore.

A few months ago, Georges Kern, the new CEO of Breitling visited Singapore. Journalists around the region attended a reception and cocktail hosted by the brand. During the press conference, members of the press were given a preview of the latest Navitimer collection. 

Events Roundup Part 5: Zenith Defy Lab

Zenith unveils the Defy Lab and who better to do it than Jean-Claude Biver and Guy Sémon. Both gentlemen flew in to unveil a breakthrough oscillator made from silicon wafer which is housed in the Zenith Defy Lab.

Events Roundup Part 4: Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin debuted the latest astronomical timepieces to watch collectors at their boutique in ION. 

Events Roundup Part 3: MB&F LM Split Escapement.

Maximilian Büsser was in Singapore earlier this year and we were privileged to see the MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement at L'Atelier by The Hour Glass.

Events Roundup: Part 2- TAG Heuer/F1 and Only Watch Exhibition

American actor and race car driver Patrick Dempsey was at the TAG Heuer boutique to meet fans and journalists during the Singapore F1 night race in September.  

Events Roundup: Part 1- Tudor and Rolex.

TUDOR EVENT...

The TUDOR office was bustling with activity as invited guests were treated to an exclusive preview of the latest Tudor collection.

Hands-on: MB&F HM6 Alien Nation.

Charris Yadigaroglou, Head of Communications for MB&F was in Singapore recently. A meeting over lunch was hosted by luxury watch retailer, The Hour Glass. We were delighted to have the opportunity to see the HM6 - Press release here HM6 Alien Nation. Following are some highlights I would like to share with you guys.

Event Report: IWC 2017 collection.

Last month, IWC presented the SIHH 2017 collection to a group of collectors over dinner. Focusing on the Da Vinci this year, we see some interesting complications as well as new models in 36mm cases targeted at the women's market. Following are the highlights of the evening.

Event Report: Ulysse Nardin- InnoVision 2 concept watch.

Last month, Patrik Hoffmann, CEO of  Ulysse Nardin was here to present the InnoVision 2 concept watch. The meeting with members of the media was hosted by leading luxury watch retailer, The Hour Glass.    

F P Journe And The Vagabondage III.

In 2004, F.P. Journe created the Vagabondage I (a jumping hour watch) for Antiquorum’s 30th Anniversary. Three pieces were initially produced for the auction, with proceedings going to charity. Due to requests from customers and collectors, Journe created a limited run of 10 pieces with baguette diamonds and 69 pieces with diamonds. This was then followed by the Vagabondage II (jumping hours & minutes) in 2010.

Francois-Paul Journe met the press at Malmaison by The Hour Glass.

Photo Essay: The Last Post Of The Year Dedicated To Fellow Collectors.

This GTG, organised by a fellow collector happened many months ago. Some of you couldn't make it so here are the pics. I am posting it now because I wanted this to be the last post for 2016... Happy New Year guys!!

Event Report: The Romain Gauthier Freedom Collection.

A few weeks ago, Romain Gauthier presented his updated version of the Logical One to a group of watch aficionados at L'Atelier by The Hour Glass. 

Note: The Logical One won the "Best Men's Complication" prize in GPHG 2013 

Meet The Master Watchmaker From Seiko.

Last month, Master Watchmaker Satoshi Hiraga was specially invited to be present at an exhibition held at Seiko’s VivoCity store. Mr Hiraga has over 27 years of working experience in Seiko. He is one of very few who is ‘Gold Meister’ certified to work on Grand Seiko complications. I was honoured to be given the opportunity to witness this Master Craftsman demonstrate the assembly of a Grand Seiko Hi-beat 36000 movement.

Montblanc Introduces Bronze Into Its Latest 1858 Collection.

Montblanc introduces bronze into its latest 1858 collection. 

SIHH will soon be held from 16th to 20th January 2017. Most watch companies are geared up and ready for this yearly event and Montblanc is no exception. David Cerrato (Managing Director, Watch Division) was here last week to introduce three new watches, inspired by Minerva timepieces from the 1930s.

His last visit was covered here.

David Cerrato (Managing Director, Watch Division)

Presentation by David Cerrato

Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition

The champagne dial has a sunray finishing to match its bronze case. The magnificent cal MB M16.29 used here is also housed in an earlier model that won the Chronograph price at the prestigious GPHG this year. In this new model, the base plate and bridges are plated in red gold to compliment the overall look of the watch. The sapphire crystal display case back shows off the beautiful movement. 

I prefer the understated look of a bronze case over a gold case.

Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time

This Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time comes in a steel case with bronze bezel and crown. It is powered by the Calibre MB 29.19, this automatic movement features a dual time complication with a home time indication and a day/night display below 12 o'clock. The date is cleverly placed in the subdial due to the size of the movement. It looks better without the 6 o'clock partially cut off, like in other watches.  

Montblanc did a great job here by providing a vintage style strap keeping with the vintage look. Every little detail counts!

  

This will make a great travel watch. 

Montblanc 1858 Automatic

And finally Montblanc 1858 Automatic in steel and bronze combo just like the Dual time. A simple, pure and classic time only watch. 

The cathedral-shaped hands are filled with beige Super-LumiNova for all the three models.

Engraved caseback!

SJX trying on the chronograph :)

Many thanks to Montblanc for preview of the above watches! 

Up Close With The Tudor Pelagos LHD..

Recently, I attended the preview of Tudor's latest release - the Pelagos LHD ( Left Hand Drive). It was made especially for lefties and divers who are used to wearing their watches on the right and diving instruments on their left. Like the other Pelagos in the collection, it comes with a depth rating of 500m which is suitable for professional diving. Tudor enthusiasts will recall that there was another older Left-handed Tudor Sub (ref 9401) made in 1981.

The Pelagos has gone "Destro"! I like the configuration and the fact that the crown doesn't "dig" into my wrist. 

Event Report: The Junghans Collection.

 In 1861 Erhard Junghans founded Zeller & Junghans in Schramberg. By 1903 Junghans was the largest clock factory in the world. The factory started making wristwatches during the 1930s. The present Junghans collection consists of Pilot watches, Chronographs and classics from the past.      

Watches of Switzerland recently acquired the dealership of Junghans watches in Singapore. Christine Laube, International Sales Director of Junghans was here recently to meet the press over lunch and to introduce the latest collection.

Hands-on With Longines Timepieces.

The Longines Avigation Type A7 1935

Montblanc: Watchmaking Class with Master Watchmaker Julien Miribel.

It's been a while since I’ve attended a watchmaking class. So, when Montblanc offered me an opportunity to attend one conducted by Fine Watchmaker and Trainer, Julien Miribel, I jumped at the chance.