Event Report: Tudor Launched The Black Bay Bronze.

Recently, Tudor ran a very successful campaign in Singapore with the launch of the Black Bay Bronze. The launch was met with an overwhelming response from the public and watch collectors alike. In expectation of the huge turnout, Tudor led guests in by batches. This enabled everyone to take a closer look and be given an opportunity to try on the Black Bay Bronze, instead of just putting it in a display case. I felt that this was a brilliant idea, providing guests some personal time with the watch. Guests were able to examine it up close and have a sense of how it felt on their wrists.

Hands-on of the Bronze here...click

Venue: Harry's Bar.

Press Release: Montblanc Star Roman Carpe Diem Special Editions

Uniting Fine Swiss Watchmaking with Artisanal Aesthetics: Montblanc Star Roman Carpe Diem Special Editions

Classical elegance, outstanding functionality and fine Swiss watchmaking come together with these new Montblanc Star Roman “Carpe Diem” Special Editions, paying tribute to the famous motto “Carpe Diem” which reminds us of how precious time is. Montblanc presents three exclusive models in the Montblanc Star Collection — the Montblanc Star Roman Quantième Complet “Carpe Diem” Special Edition, the Montblanc Star Roman Chronograph UTC Automatic “Carpe Diem” Special Edition and the Montblanc Star Roman “Carpe Diem” Small Second Special Edition — all of which are designed to become fine lifetime companions which honour the precious transience of time through refined red gold-plated details. 

Press Release: INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE 20 years later they are coming back – and so is Hamilton.

Press Release: 

The second chapter by Roland Emmerich features four Hamilton Timepieces.

here...www.hamiltonwatch.com

The Khaki X-Wind Auto Chrono worn by Jake Morrison in the movie.

Hamilton Watches, recognized for their innovative and precise timepieces, as well as their leading role in the worlds of aviation and cinema return to the big screen this summer in 20th Century Fox’s new blockbuster, Independence Day: Resurgence, twenty years after the first movie Independence Day.

Hands-On: Glashuette Original 2016 collection.

Less is more. This year's GO collection is impressive. Classic Saxon watchmaking tradition at it's best. The Senator Excellence in stainless steel. Love the minimalist design!

Press Release: Hublot Creates Football History Again - Pelé and Maradona Together For Once In A Lifetime Match.

On the eve of the UEFA EURO 2016TM, just before the big kick-off of the European Football Championships for which Hublot is Official Watch, the Swiss watchmaker is bringing together two brand new teams for a historic match. A line-up that football has never seen, and that football fans have always dreamt of. There are moments in football that are eternal, and Hublot is writing one.

Press Release: Zenith Celebrates The 50th Anniversary Of A Cuban Legend: Cohiba.

Both legendary in their own right, Zenith and Cohiba share the same philosophy of excellence, sophistication and exclusivity. The former is a Swiss watchmaking Manufacture building on 150 years of innovation and expertise, while the latter is the celebrated name of the most sought-after cigars in the world. Created in 1966, today the Cohiba brand is celebrating half a century of existence. At its side on the occasion of this anniversary, Zenith is presenting a limited series of its legendary El Primero chronograph, with 50 watches in rose gold and 500 in stainless steel, all featuring a Havana brown dial and emblematic Cohiba motifs. A combination of elegance and technicality, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition exudes a full-bodied fragrance tinged with daring and pleasure.

Press Release: Breitling Avenger Hurricane.

BREITLING AVENGER HURRICANE

 

The superlative-charged Breitling
It immediately flaunts a standout 50 mm diameter. It revolutionizes watchmaking with its ultra-sturdy and ultra-light case made in a futuristic material named Breitlight®. It surprises observers with its Manufacture Breitling movement equipped with a 24-hour military-type display. Close-up on a Breitling built for extremes.

Post Event Report: Longines & Roland Garros In The City.

Longines is the Official partner and Timekeeper of the French Open since 2007. Last month, an exhibition was held outside the Longines boutique at Marina Square. Mini tennis courts were set up and young representatives from the Longines Future Tennis Aces were there to showcase their tennis skills. Mini tennis lessons were also conducted for children over a few days during this exhibition.

Vacheron Constantin 2016 Overseas Collection.

This year Vacheron Constantin revamped their iconic Overseas collection. There are five new models this year. Each model comes with additional leather and rubber straps that are easily interchangeable. Slim is in and the Overseas Ultra Thin caught my eye: slim, chic and very good looking! Following are pics of three of the models that I have selected to feature.

 Overseas Ultra-Thin in 18K white gold, 44 mm case and 7.5mm thick.

A slim case with the automatic Cal. 1120 beating inside. 

The more affordable Overseas Automatic in stainless steel case (Cal 5100). There is also a pink gold version. Definitely more elegant than the older version.   

 White or blue dial?

I think the blue looks better!

Strap change on all Overseas models (spring lever) made easy with this new design. You don't have to use any strap changing tool and the risk of scratching the watch. 

 The Overseas Chrono (in-house Cal 5200) featuring a column wheel and vertical clutch system for a smoother start and stop of the chronograph.

Finally the Overseas Small model for ladies.

Looking good on a lady's wrist!

Omega 2016 Novelties.

Recently, I was glad to view the Omega 2016 collection. I would like to thank the Singapore Omega team for the preview. Below is a selection of some of my favorite pieces.

Slide presentation of the 2016 collection.

Press release: CORUM Presents Its Iconic 2016 BUBBLE Collection In A Whirlwind Of Psychedelic Fun.

Hands-On: Tudor Black Bay Bronze And Some Photos Of Black Bay 36 mm And Black Bay Dark.

Much has been written about the new Tudor Black Bay Bronze and I was privileged to be able to photograph it at the Tudor office a couple of weeks ago.

The imposing case size of 43 mm wears pretty well on my wrist. It is slightly bigger than the other Black Bay models (41 mm) and features Tudor's in-house movement MT5601 (70 hour power reserve/silicon balance spring).

Tudor did a good job on the Black Bay Bronze with the domed crystal and the snowflake hands that was inspired by vintage Tudors.

A big crown with the rose motif. The lugs are drilled unlike the other Black Bays.    

The case is made of an aluminium bronze alloy and brush finished. This alloy with aluminium enables the "patina" of the case to develop evenly. It also has a lighter shade as compared to other bronze watches with different metallic composition.  The watch comes with a fabric or an aged leather strap. 

Tudor priced this watch for the mass market and under such economic situation, I believe it will sell very well. 

I also photographed the Tudor Black Bay 36 mm and the Black Bay Dark.

Tudor Black Bay 36mm. Love this strap combo!

The 36 mm looks amazing on the wrist!

Black PVD coated

With different strap options. 

Thanks for looking!

Press Release: Panerai's Dive Into Time Exhibition in Florence.

MAY 2016 – It is an invitation to dive into time, to discover the past, the present and the future of the Officine Panerai high quality watchmaking brand: the exhibition “PANERAI – DIVE INTO TIME” will be open from 18 to 21 May 2016 in the fascinating crypt of the former church of San Pancrazio, home of the Marino Marini Museum in the centre of Florence.

Event Report: Montblanc Black and White Weeks 2016

Montblanc recently hosted its Black & White weeks in Singapore. The new Heritage Rouge & Noir Collection was unveiled to the media and customers in a series of events. Following are the highlights of one of the events.  

Press Release: Hublot introduces its first watch made in partnership with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea Football Club.

The Swiss brand presents the Classic Fusion Chronograph Chelsea, a limited edition watch of 200 pieces made in honour of the iconic English football club

Photo Report Part 2: IWC 2016 Pilot Watch Launch.

Following the preview dinner (click here for Part 1) held a week earlier, more than 250 guests and members from leading watch publications were invited to the official launch of the Pilot watch collection at the Red Dot Museum. I'm glad to be able to share with you the event pics of the evening!

Meeting Manuel Emch, CEO RJ-Romain Jerome.

Manuel Emch, CEO of RJ-Romain Jerome, was in Singapore recently to attend a Press luncheon hosted by luxury watch retailer The Hour Glass. 

Press Release: Heritage Pilot Cafe Racer Vintage Style Riding A Free-Spirited Breeze.

A new model with a strong character joins the Pilot collection from Zenith. Its broad 45 mm-diameter aged steel case houses a legendary movement – the automatic El Primero 4069 chronograph calibre – and displays a vintage dial boasting perfect readability. The Heritage Pilot Café Racer proudly takes its place in this iconic line composed of sleek, powerful watches. Its virile charm and well-built mechanism infuse it with the “Café Racer” spirit: when speed and getting away from it all are synonymous with independence and authenticity.

Photo Report Part 1: IWC Collectors Dinner 2016.

Last week, IWC showcased their SIHH 2016 Pilot watch collection to invited collectors of the brand. The venue was a cosy restaurant, The Refinery. 

Food was good and so were the watches. I had a great time meeting new friends and catching up with the old ones. Lots of pics so take your time.

The evening started with cocktails 

OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 39.5mm

Press Release

Press Release: Mr François-Paul Journe Accomplished Watchmaker Back in Singapore Once Again!

Singapore, 5 APRIL 2016 – Mr François-Paul Journe’s illustrious status amongst Singapore’s burgeoning watch community is validated once as he makes his grand appearance to an impressive turnout of 200 over VIP guests at The Hour Glass’s luxury emporium, Malmaison on the 1st of April 2016. Earlier this year, The Hour Glass proudly announced their new and exclusive partnership with F.P.Journe, a highly acclaimed independently-owned maison of haute horology. Together, the very first Espace F.P.Journe was launched and housed in the upper storey of Malmaison amidst natural lighting and liberal space. To mark this momentous chapter, The Hour Glass was privileged to have the presence of the manufacture’s master watchmaker himself grace our city after a transient hiatus since 2011.

Press Release: Breitling Avenger Hurricane.

AVENGER HURRICANE

The superlative-charged Breitling

It immediately flaunts a standout 50 mm diameter. It revolutionizes watchmaking with its ultra-sturdy and ultra-light case made in a futuristic material named Breitlight®. It surprises observers with its Manufacture Breitling movement equipped with a 24-hour militarytype display. Close-up on a Breitling built for extremes.

Maître Cabinotier Retrograde Armillary Tourbillon

Press Release

In the wake of the most complicated watch ever made, the Ref. 57260 with 57 complications, Vacheron Constantin unveils the Maître Cabinotier retrograde armillary tourbillon model. This timepiece bearing the Hallmark of Geneva was produced by the three master watchmakers who created Ref. 57260, and they incorporated two of the complicated features of the superwatch: the armillary tourbillon and the double retrograde indication. Its contemporary styling opens the remarkable structure of the calibre 1990 movement to view. The high-precision manually wound movement is housed in a 45.7mm case in white gold. Four patent applications have been filed for this unique model.

Montblanc Celebrates 110 Years of Its Pioneering Spirit in New York City

Press Release

  Hugh Jackman & Jerome Lambert

110 years after Montblanc’s founders set off from New York on their Atlantic crossing home, inspired to establish Montblanc on their return, the Maison returned to its early beginnings and to New York City to celebrate its anniversary, and the pioneering spirit that has guided the Montblanc since 1906.

Press Release: Blancpain’s Métiers d’Art studio presents.. The Great Wave

Inspired by the motion of the sea, this latest Métiers d’Art creation highlights a gemstone used for the first time by Blancpain – Mexican silver obsidian – as well as a favorite Blancpain technique: Japanese rokushō patina.

Press Release: Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annual GMT Steel

 The Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT appears for the first time with a stainless steel case, which combines with the white dial and black leather strap to infuse this model with an aesthetic that is both contemporary and classic.

Press Release: Zenith Elite Lady Moon Phase.

In 2016, the Elite collection by Zenith appears in a distinctly feminine guise. Elegance goes well beyond gender boundaries. While the recent Elite models can be admired on the wrists of men and women of discerning taste, the new Elite Lady Moon Phase embodies the essence of refined femininity according to Zenith. A subtle blend of understatement, flowing curves and perfectly mastered technical sophistication – all tinged with modernity. The Elite woman makes her grand entrance with an unmistakable air of classic distinction.

Press Release: Zenith Elite 6150 in Rose Gold.

It is the face of the Elite collection. Its pure lines embody contemporary elegance from Zenith. Newly released and yet already timeless. The crowning glory of the Manufacture’s 150th anniversary collection, the Elite 6150 now also appears in rose gold, a precious variation pervaded by a sense of understated refinement.