Rebels With A Cause.

It is not easy to gather three independent watchmakers together on a road trip. However, The Hour Glass made that possible last week in a series of two events. Max Busser (MB&F), Felix Baumgartner (Urwerk) and Alessandro Zanetta (De Bethune) graced a gala dinner for collectors held at the Grand Hyatt as well as a meeting at L’ Atelier in ION Orchard the following evening.

These three men are called “rebels” for a reason. Like most independents that go against mainstream design ideas, they are driven by their passion to overcome challenges and break rules in order to make their dreams come true.

Luxury watch retailer, The Hour Glass has in many ways participated in that dream by first working together with them in building up their brands and supporting these gentlemen over the years.

An overwhelming turnout of about 200 guests.

The Urwerk, MB&F and De Bethune collection on display. Do drop by L’ Atelier by The Hour Glass (#03-06, ION Orchard) if you need more info.

Left: An interesting mechanical robot clock: Melchior by MB&F

Top right: DB25 Quetzalcoatl by De Bethune

Bottom Right: C3H5N309 by Urwerk  

Welcome speech by Michael Tay (Executive Director, The Hour Glass)

A plenary session was held.

 This was followed by questions from the guests.

One for the album.

Food glorious food.

The gathering of the "tribe" at L’ Atelier in ION Orchard..  

Time for some serious discussions.

The UR-105TA. 

Orange or yellow, what do you think?

De Bethune DBS Tourbillon.

The Limited Edition MB&F, LM101 Frost comes in yellow gold (18 pieces) and pink gold (33 pieces).

It features the first movement developed completely in-house by MB&F. I find the lovely classic bridges very pleasing to the eye. Closer examination also reveals the highly polished bevel edges and countersinks in this beautiful movement.

      

A collector came with watches on both his wrists!

The Rock Stars!

......and the fans.

Thank you Max, Felix, Alessandro and The Hour Glass team for the absolutely gorgeous evenings. See you guys next time! 

Buben & Zorweg Mark IV Watch Winder Launch In Singapore.

Thanks to Jimmie Tay, Managing Director of Buben & Zorweg Boutique Singapore, I had the pleasure to view an amazing product from luxury watch safe manufacturer Buben & Zorweg. The Mark IV watch winder is a unique piece made by Buben & Zorweg and was first showcased at Baselworld 2015.

The idea came from Max Goh, boutique manager of Buben & Zorweg Singapore who was inspired by a range of iconic toys. By incorporating features of their Argatos watch winder (launched in 2012), Buben & Zorweg took much effort in creating an innovative showpiece that could "appeal to the boy in every man's heart". After various design revisions and skillful craftmanship, the Mark IV was born.  

The Buben & Zorweg boutique in ION Orchard.

Managing Director of Buben & Zorweg boutique Singapore, Jimmie Tay.

Max Goh, boutique manager introduced the Mark IV

The Mark IV watch winder holds 5 watches. It also housed an eight day clock with a tourbillon located in the middle. Simply slide your fingers along the two vertical strips and the two sides of the winder will open while the top cover can be flipped manually to review the clock. The Exterior is made of highly polished stainless steel with an aluminium-wood internal. It's spray painted 14 layers and carefully polished to give it a shiny look.           

The boutique also carries a wide range of watch safe to keep your precious timepieces. For details you can go their web site www.buben-zorweg.com or drop by at the boutique at ION Orchard to take a closer look.

   

Collector Safe 

 The Titan comes with various high security features, Hi-fi system with blue tooth funtion, double sided rotating carousel that holds 36 watches (activated by a secret button), ipad charging station and storage drawers. It can also be connected to your home alarm system for added security. 

        

If space is a constrain, the Quantum can be a nice display unit as well in a small living room. 

Vacheron Constantin Celebrates "The Art of Openworking" With The Launch Of A Limited Edition Malte Tourbillon Openworked.

A few weeks ago, Vacheron Constantin hosted a cocktail event in their new boutique at ION Orchard. Vacheron Constantin’s skeletonised watches are highly sought after by collectors. The highlight of the evening was the Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Openworked Singapore ION Orchard Boutique Exclusive piece. This tonneau case watch features a tourbillon within an openedworked calibre and is limited to only three pieces.

Christine Chia (Communication Manager, Vacheron Constantin) with the welcome speech.

    Ellen Sorensen (Managing Director, Vacheron Constantin South East Asia) introduced the amazing collection.

Guests taking a closer look at the watches on display.

A watchmaker was also there to answer any questions regarding their precious timepieces.

The Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillion Openworked Singapore ION Orchard Boutique Exclusive. Limited to 3 pieces.

The entire movement is skeletionised.  Openworking, also know as skeletonising, involves the opening of bridges and plates of the watch to reveal the beauty of the mechanism. Vacheron Constantin’s efforts on this one is second to none! 

The other piece that caught my attention was the Metiers d'Art Mecaniques Ajourees. Great care was taken to ensure that the skeletonised movement is not only aesthetically pleasing but also strong enough to ensure proper functioning of the watch.

Beautiful craftsmanship indeed!

Something for the ladies? The Metiers d'Art Fabuleux Ornements-Indian manuscript.

I spotted some very interesting vintage Vacheron Constantin watches that are for sale in this VIP room. Known as the "Vacheron Constantin Les Collectionneurs" each timepiece is carefully chosen by Vacheron Constantin heritage specialists and restored, with serviced certificate of authenticity and one year guarantee. Do check it out when you visit the boutique. 

Vacheron Constantin Les Collectionneurs.

This following photos were provided by Vacheron Constantin...

Right- Chocolate sculptures by award winning Singaporean pastry Chef Janice Wong.

   

Press Release: Raymond Weil Unveils Its Latest Music Special Edition Nabucco Inspired By Gibson

RAYMOND WEIL, luxury Swiss watchmaker proudly announces its new product collaboration with Gibson Brands, the fastest growing company in the music and sound industries, combining forces to create a very special nabucco timepiece that will be unveiled during Baselworld 2015.

Inspired by the self-tuning Gibson SG Standard, the special edition features four key design features and reinvents them on the dial of the timepiece. A majestic steel and titanium 46mm diameter case houses a black galvanic dial encircled by six grooves symbolizing the strings of the Gibson SG Standard and displays the Gibson logo and iconic emblem at 12 o’clock. The case is finished with a refined grey ceramic tachometer bezel. The nabucco inspired by Gibson has a bespoke RW5010 mechanical chronograph self-winding mechanism with a 46hour power reserve and features twenty-seven jewels.

The range displays all the entrepreneurial credentials of its CEO, Mr. Elie Bernheim. 

“We are proud to collaborate with such an iconic music brand as Gibson and to present a unique nabucco limited edition of 200 pieces honouring both music and high-end watchmaking”, declares Elie Bernheim, CEO RAYMOND WEIL.

Speaking of the partnership, Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO, Gibson Brands said, “RAYMOND WEIL and Gibson Brands are the perfect combination of excellence and craftsmanship. We are delighted to be aligned with the nabucco line, exceptional timepieces inspired by the highest quality guitars.”

RAYMOND WEIL continues to take advantage of its status as a family-owned independent company. For the music-loving watchmaker, music drives and is at the heart of all of its partnerships worldwide.

Join the discussion on social media networks using #RWGibson