Glashütte Original’s Time for Originality exhibition opens at Prince Club
In a move guaranteed to thrill haute horology enthusiasts, Glashütte Original is showcasing its latest designs alongside highlights from its expansive collection this month. From now until 3 September, its Time for Originality exhibition will be hosted at Prince Jewellery’s Prince Club on Nathan Road.
Renowned for making quality timepieces since 1845, Glashütte Original’s exhibit will showcase timepieces that exemplify the luxury German watchmaker’s famed precision craftsmanship and mechanical genius. A highlight from the collection on display is the newest iteration of its Senator Cosmopolite. First launched in 2015, this newest incarnation boasts a sleek stainless steel body with a definite nod to minimalism.
Glashütte Original unveils a new Senator Cosmopolite watch in stainless steel
At 44mm, it’s not a small watch by any stretch of the imagination, but its matte white dial remains engagingly uncomplicated, despite housing a considerable number of complications. The defining feature of the Senator Cosmopolite – its ability to set the travel time to 36 different time zones – is once again a central feature here, with a ‘Home Time’ subdial taking place of pride at 12 o’clock.
Alongside the Senator Cosmopolite and other watches on show, guests who visit the ‘Time for Originality’ exhibition will also be able to meander through an educational experience that spotlights the art of German watchmaking through the use of a virtual reality app.
‘Time for Originality’ by Glashütte Original
Date: Now until Monday, 3 September
Address: Nathan Road Main Shop, B/Fl, Prestige Tower, 23-25 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Injeanous watch: Omega Railmaster gets a denim makeover
When the first Omega Railmaster released in 1957, its sturdy design and anti-magnetic properties made it the perfect watch to be worn in any work environment. But, sadly, it wasn’t a top seller for Omega and the model got retired only six years after the launch. However, Omega continued to be committed to the anti-magnetism properties of the original Railmaster in quite a few of its subsequent watches.
Now, Omega is honouring the legacy of its Railmaster watch with a new denim-inspired Railmaster that pays tribute to the industrial past of its original namesake. The newest version of the Railmaster features a vertically brushed dial that looks like denim – a nod to its working class history – a time when workers would mostly be clad in robust denim jeans and sporting a sturdy anti-magnetic watch like the Railmaster. To emphasize the denim reference, the Omega Railmaster also comes with a genuine blue denim NATO strap with brown leather. The same model is also available on a stainless steel bracelet.
Thanks to the facelift, the watch also features light-grey Super-LumiNova hands, a 40mm stainless steel case, a conical crown and a wave-edged caseback with a NAIAD LOCK system.
Well, with all this for around US$4,900, the denim Railmaster is priced quite competitively, but it’s safe to say that it’s not meant for a working class hero. Not anymore, at least!
Swiss watch industry experiences renaissance thanks to Hong Kong
The haute horology industry seemed positively relieved – nay, outright optimistic – back in May this year when the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) revealed its latest take on the state of the precision timepiece market. This eagerly-awaited assessment of the world’s watch wants showed that Swiss watch exports had surged by 13.8 percent year-on-year, or roughly around US$1.78 billion.
More strikingly still, the report attributed this stunning turnaround to just one global premium watch market – Hong Kong. Indeed, looking more closely at the SAR’s star performance, it seems the city’s watch-wearing glitterati are now sporting 43.4 percent more premium timepieces in April 2017.
Some may wonder how a seven million-strong city could have such an impact on this global industry, but further reading makes it seem hardly far-fetched at all. In fact, Asia’s World City has long been the single-largest importer of Swiss watches, accounting for over 20 percent of the total market.
2015 was the last golden year for the Swiss watch industry
But why this latest report has been greeted with such rapture? Well, while the Swiss watch industry has continued to ceaselessly talk itself up, it’s the first indication in two years that exports have shown any sign of sustainable growth.
2015 was the last truly golden year for the Swiss watchmaking industry, when it boldly expanded into new markets, grew its existing export sectors and watched revenue levels climb to unprecedented heights. Then, within 12 months, everything fell apart on a global basis. Exports took a year-on-year 11 percent nosedive, with their value falling from US$21.75 billion to 19.6 billion.
In truth, the causes of this particular downturn were many and varied. In simple terms, the world suffered a massive crisis in economic confidence, with the ongoing China-Russia-US tensions and escalating global terrorism all playing their part. Closer to home, the Chinese government’s new emphasis on austerity and its clampdown on public sector gift-giving triggered the meltdown of Hong Kong’s watch-buying economy.
Within the industry itself, many well-established Swiss brands suddenly found themselves competing with smartwatches, with these heavily-promoted, multi-function digital accessories targeted at exactly the same demographic – affluent, aspirational men who saw themselves as style leaders.
The combined impact of these varied elements was devastating for Hong Kong. While, in 2015, the city imported some US$3.2 billion worth of Swiss watches, within a year this had dropped to US$2.4 billion. This was largely down to local consumers feeling the financial pinch and mainland buyers shunning anything that suggested conspicuous consumption.
Against such an apocalyptic backdrop – and despite doom-laden prognostications to the contrary – it now seems the Swiss watch industry has not only regained a sound financial footing, but also looks poised for long-term growth. Just as Hong Kong led the 2015 downturn, it is now credited with being at the forefront of the recovery, with its April 2018 figures marking the city’s largest month-on-month rise in more than six years.
According to Deloitte, the London-headquartered consultancy giant, the Swiss watch industry’s renaissance is largely down to the robust export performance of many of its most high-end timepieces. Again, this matches the profile of the typical Hong Kong precision watch purchaser. Such items have long been among the city’s most coveted status symbols.
While it’s the resumed good fortune of the Swiss watch industry that stole many headlines, another equally striking story got somewhat eclipsed. Closer examination shows that it’s not just Geneva-sourced wrist-candy that are suddenly selling well in HK. In fact, the city’s retail sector as a whole posted an 11.4 percent upturn in March this year, the biggest monthly jump since 2013, with jewellery, premium gifts and more all on the up-and-up.
The unreported story, then, is that luxury shopping is once again surging in Hong Kong, with Swiss watch sales more an indicator of the city’s improved economy rather than some untoward freak phenomenon. As a sign of its style setting influence – certainly on a regional basis and, arguably, at a global level too – the re-ignition of its long-standing love affair with fine Swiss timepieces seems to have opened the floodgates in many other one-time premium watch-buying markets.
All in all then, great news for the worried Swiss watch industry, but perhaps better news still for Hong Kong. As the city casts around for a role in the new world order, it’s surely gratifying that it remains a defining market for the luxury sector and a benchmark for consumers across the world.
Text: Tenzing Thondup Images: AFP
A big hand for Elvis: Omega owned by Elvis Presley breaks records
While Elvis has long been hailed as the King in rock’n’roll circles, his contribution to the world of haute horology has been somewhat less celebrated. It does, however, appear that when he was not rocking jailhouses or worrying about scuffing his distinctively coloured footwear, he was apt to collect precision timepieces, a number of which recently went up for auction in Geneva, including the rocker’s personal favourite – a white-gold Tiffany & Co Omega watch.
Described as the “most historically significant Presley-owned watch to ever to come up for auction” the 18K gold wristwatch – complete with a manually-wound calibre 510 movement and 44 brilliant-cut diamonds – was originally presented to Elvis by RCA in February 1961, as the label looked to commemorate the fact that their single best asset had passed the 75 million mark in terms of global record sales. Among his album releases in 1960, the hits that propelled him to the peak of his career that year included Are You Lonesome Tonight and It’s Now Or Never.
The incredible provenance of the Omega watch was further confirmed by photos of Presley wearing the watch, as well as a certificate of authenticity from Jimmy Velvet, the Founder/CEO of the Elvis Presley Museum.
Ultimately going for a whopping US$1.5 million, following an intensive round of highly competitive bidding, the watch set a new all-time record for an auctioned Omega. Despite the many keen offers from lifelong Presley fans, however, it was ultimately purchased by Switzerland’s Omega Museum.
On the 65th anniversary of the launch of its iconic Fifty Fathoms dive watch, haute horology brand Blancpain hosted a special Ocean Commitment Pop-up Exhibition in Central recently.
The week-long showcase allowed watch enthusiasts an intimate look at Blancpain’s historic relationship with all things nautical, while also spotlighting its continued dedication to marine exploration and conservation.
The Ocean Commitment Pop-up also afforded attendees a first-hand look at the evolution of its Fifty Fathoms dive watch from its inception in 1953 to the latest 2018 collection. The event also marked the unveiling of an all-new BOC III version, limited to just 250 pieces worldwide.
To underscore its commitment to conservation, 1,000 Euros from every piece sold will funnelled directly into marine exploration and protection projects.
Tourbillon Timepieces: These horological complications are in a class of their own
The tourbillon is treasured by all true haute horlogerie aficionados – and with good reason. More than merely beguiling to observe in motion, this complex kinetic movement represents the culmination of centuries of chronographical evolution.
Tourbillon watches have enthralled horology enthusiasts for centuries
For the uninitiated, these mechanisms, true pinnacles of precision engineering, house the escapement and balance wheel – the all-important ticking bits – in a continuously rotating cage. Its carefully-controlled gyration counteracts the effects of gravity, consistently correcting any positional errors and delivering the ultimate in chronographical accuracy.
While less essential for wristwatches, it transformed the reliability of vertically-worn pocket watches. Abraham-Louis Breguet, the founder of Breguet, created the first tourbillon way back in 1795. It’s an impressive achievement, especially when considering that so complex was its construction that up until 1970, less than 1,000 tourbillons had ever been made.
Vacheron Constantin’s Traditionnelle Tourbillon
More recently, 21st century technology has upped the production level a little, with more than 3,000 new tourbillons going into circulation every year. Despite that, there remains something particularly alluring about each additional iteration…
Given its unique connection to all things tourbillon, it’s no surprise that Breguet remains the true master of this particular complication, with its brilliantly-designed, nautically-styled Marine Équation Marchante5887 (featured in our story on perpetual calendar watches here) a more than apt testament to that.
Similarly enchanting is Vacheron Constantin’sTraditionnelle Tourbillon, which showcases minimalist timepiece tech at its very finest. Featuring the debut of the marque’s 2160 self-winding calibre, the tourbillon takes place of pride at the 6 o’clock spot. An opaline-silver dial, replete with pink gold hour markers, hands and bezel, complete its singularly stylish look.
While seemingly more simplistic, Blancpain’s new Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Rétrograde actually features a truly stunning flying tourbillon movement, while its understated dial also boasts the renowned marque’s first-ever jump hours and retrograde minutes complications. Available in an attractive red gold case, a limited-edition platinum version is also on offer.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic
Arguably pushing boundaries further is Bulgari’s astonishing Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic, the winner of three watchmaking records – world’s thinnest watch, the thinnest-ever automatic tourbillon and the thinnest tourbillon overall. While just 3.95mm deep, it has skimped on nothing in terms of sophistication.
Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon
Cartier’s latest offering meanwhile is its Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon. Its pre-eminent asset is a superb double tourbillon mechanism, which seemingly hovers unsupported at the very centre of the watch’s open-worked dial. With a stark, skeletonised face punctuated only by Roman numeric indicators, this is a true fusion of artistic finesse and precision design.
Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon
Hublot, too, has opted for see-through sophistication, the hallmark of its new Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon. Indeed, every element of this unusually transparent timepiece is laid bare – from its mesmerising mechanism, right down to its semi-clad straps. While the standard model sees its skeletonised movement captured within a sapphire crystal case, its premium incarnation boasts the addition of 48 baguette-cut diamonds.
MB&F HM No.7 ‘Aquapod’
Eschewing such non-opaque affectations though, MB&F turned to matters maritime to find inspiration for the platinum iteration of its HM7 Aquapod. Its every design conceit has drawn from that deep sea denizen, the jellyfish – from its radially symmetrical structure to its flying tourbillon-housing dome. The movement, the winding rotor and the hour and minute numerals all have the kind of lingering luminescence essential for deep-down nautical navigation.
Arguably, though, it’s Ulysse Nardin that has taken the up-teched tourbillon to a galaxy far, far away with its Executive Skeleton Tourbillon Hyperspace said to be inspired by Star Wars’ Millennium Falcon. The watch features a ‘hyperdrive’ flying tourbillon set above an open-worked dial.
So, then, nearly two centuries after first being acclaimed as the true high watermark of the watchmakers’ art, tourbillons continue to beguile and bemuse in equal parts, and remain much admired and sought out, an outcome that would have, no doubt, delighted Abraham-Louis, that most consummate of complication masters.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
‘The Quest for the Deep’ exhibit explores Rolex’s diving watch heritage
From 1 to 31 July, luxury Swiss watchmaker Rolex is putting the spotlight firmly on its considerable diving watch heritage with an exclusive and interactive exhibition. Titled The Quest for the Deep, the showcase explores the progression of mankind’s deep sea conquest and Rolex’s role in aiding that journey.
Visit ‘The Quest for the Deep’ exhibit at the Rolex Iconic Store in HK Airport Terminal 1
Co-presented by Rolex and Dickson Watch & Jewellery, The Quest for the Deep is made up of three parts, tracking the evolution of the former’s diving watches. First, the Submariner, whose claim to fame is being the world’s first timepiece to be waterproof to 100 metres, and the technological prototype for succeeding generations of nautical chronographs.
Unveiled in 1967, Rolex’s Sea-Dweller was a pioneering dive watch
Then, there’s the Sea-Dweller, which was first introduced in 1967 with waterproof capabilities up to 610 metres – subsequently improved in 1978 to 1,220 metres. And finally, the Rolex Deepsea, the brand’s latest and most impressive diver’s watch, capable of maintaining structural integrity and accuracy to up to 3,900 metre depths.
Rolex’s Deepsea, launched in 2008, is waterproof up to a staggering 3,900m depth
For true haute horology enthusiasts, The Quest for the Deep is a can’t-miss opportunity to see Rolex’s heritage first-hand. So if you have a free weekend, why not drop by the Rolex Icon Store at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1?
Blancpain hosts ocean commitment pop-up exhibition in Hong Kong
To celebrate the 65th anniversary of the launch of Fifty Fathoms, the world’s first modern diving watch, Blancpain is hosting a watch pop-up exhibition at Pacific House, Central, from 28 June to 6 July 2018.
The exhibition not only celebrates Blancpain’s rich heritage, but also showcases its commitment to preserve the underwater world. On display is a choicest selection of Fifty Fathoms watches – vintages ones from 1953 to more recent pieces from 2018 – along with a preview of the new limited-edition BOC III.
The exhibition also features photographs captured by underwater photographers, among them, Laurent Ballesta, marine scientist and winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 (Earth’s Environments category).
To commemorate the occasion, Blancpain hosted an exclusive cocktail reception attended by most of Hong Kong’s elite, including celebrities like Sing Lam, Adrian Wong, Bruce Tong, Derek Wong and Derek Lam, and athletes like Kent Cheung, Tsui Chi Ho and Chris Cheng.
Blancpain Ocean Commitment Exhibition
Dates: 28-30 June 2018 (10 am to 6pm); 1-6 July 2018 (10 am to 9pm)
Venue: G/F, Pacific House, 20 Queen’s Road, Central
Admission: Complimentary
Website: https://www.blancpain-popup-hk.com/
Enquiry: +852 25189800
Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
New Tudor 1926 collection offers timeless watches for both men and women
Renowned Swiss watchmaker Tudor recently hosted the Tudor 1926 Experience Day to introduce its latest line of elegant timepieces to a select group of haute horology enthusiasts recently.
The event gave attendees a first glimpse at its latest Tudor 1926 collection, a name inspired by the year that this company was officially registered by Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf. Embodying the brand’s philosophy of affordability, refinement and quality, four different sizes of mechanical watches were on offer for both men and women.
Michael Kors gives its popular watches a fresh, summery update
This summer, fashion label Michael Kors has drawn inspiration from the warm, vibrant colours of the season to give some of its most iconic timepieces a refreshed new look.
Dubbed the Michael Kors Summer Collection, many of these watches embody a softer, more feminine look thanks to the clever utilisation of rose gold in their casings and straps. These include the elegant Sofie model, which boasts a chic mother-of-pearl dial, the Portia watch, replete with a blush-coloured floral leather strap, and the Petite Norie, featuring an intricate rose flower design on its dial.
The Slim Runway watch by Michael Kors
The true standout, though, is the Slim Runway gold-tone watch. Taking inspiration from the sun-kissed savannahs in Africa, the American fashion house has imbued this particular timepiece with a feline flair. Taking place of pride on its dial is a majestic gold lion wearing the brand founder’s iconic sunglasses.
The Michael Kors Summer Collection is now available at select boutiques and the Zalora e-shop. Find out more at www.michaelkors.com.
