Last chance to check out Rolex’s A Watch Born to Explore exhibition
For much of its century-long history, luxury watchmaker Rolex hasn’t just wowed the haute horology world with a stunning array of cutting-edge designs, it’s also been party to some of the most significant adventures of exploration known to humankind. To celebrate this unique, adventure-driven heritage, the Swiss marque treated its legion of Hong Kong fans to a special exhibition dubbed “A Watch Born to Explore”.
While this unique showcase has travelled the world, this particular Elements-located iteration is the first time the Fragrant Harbour has featured on its itinerary. Aimed at spotlighting the brand’s involvement in these grand adventures, visitors to watch-bracelet-motifed exhibit will be treated to a series of illustrated panels and films that explore Rolex’s explorations through the ages, be it the first-ever successful summitting of Mount Everest in 1953 or deep-sea voyages to the belly of our planet.
Ample focus has also been given to several of the amazing watches that have been spawned by these experiences, including the Explorer, which was launched the same year that Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hilary climbed Everest, and its successor, the Explorer II, launched in 1971 and long the go-to timepieces for intrepid explorers the world over.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay atop Mount Everest
The final chapter of the interactive “A Watch Born to Explore” exhibition highlights Rolex’s latest endeavour – its newly-announced Perpetual Planet campaign, a project aimed at supporting key individuals and organisations worldwide in creating solutions to the world’s myriad environmental challenges.
The showcase, which kicked off on Thursday last week, will run for just one more day, so if you’re keen to check out these latest watches and find out more about Rolex’s Perpetual Planet programme, head to Elements mall posthaste.
A Watch Born to Explore Exhibition Date: 5 – 11 September Venue: 1/Fl, Metal Zone, Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui
Moon Watch: Stellar price for George Daniels Apollo 11 tribute timepiece
George Daniels (1926-2011), one of the foremost pocket watch creators of his era, was so taken by the historic nature of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing that it inspired him to fashion his own inimitable tribute to the men and the mission – the 1982 Space Traveller. Designed to meet every need of even the most demanding deep-space explorer, its intricate mechanism simultaneously indicates both mean-solar time and sidereal time.
As this cosmically-inspired chronogram was sold almost as soon as it was completed (and was only to be seen again in public more than 30 years later), Daniels so regretted the impetuosity of the transaction that he immediately set about creating the Space Traveller II, which remained his personal watch the rest of his life.
One of just 23 pocket watches to have been handcrafted by Daniels, the Space Traveller’s unique provenance recently saw sell it for US$4.56 million, making it the most expensive English watch ever sold at auction, as well as the highest price commanded by a single watch this year to date.
Sub Dial: Exploring the hidden depths of the finest new dive watches
There was a time when dive watches were primarily practical necessities, essential safety aids for underwater explorers, intrepid or otherwise. Take, for instance, the 1926 edition of the Rolex Oyster, a watch that incorporated the world’s first hermetically-sealed waterproof case, or the 1932 Omega “Marine”, a timepiece certified by the Swiss Laboratory for Horology as capable of withstanding depths of up to 135m.
Now, though, a state-of-the-art diver’s chronometer is less likely to see the bottom of the sea than a blind aquaphobic, with such elegant precision timepieces being more a status symbol than a life-or-death depth aid. Regardless of their changing role, there’s something about their maritime orientation that still brings out the very best in many of the world’s finest watchmakers, with seven relatively recent releases more than testifying to that.
Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms Barakuda
First up is Blancpain’s latest iteration of its legendary Fifty Fathoms model – the Fifty Fathoms Barakuda. First revealed to the world in 1953, it was swiftly adopted by the highly-trained combat swimmers of the French Marine Corps. Later, in the ’60s, a dual-tone version regularly graced the wrists of the German Bundesmarine, courtesy of a proprietary arrangement with Barakuda, a Hamburg-based manufacturer of diving equipment. It is this iconic edition that is the direct forebear of the 2019 version, which boasts the self-same two-tone notes and tropical rubber strap. Fitted with a 1151 self-winding movement and water-resistant to 300m, just 500 of these tide-proof timepieces will ever see the light of day.
Glashütte Original’s SeaQ Panorama Date
Another reinterpretation of a classic diver’s watch comes courtesy of Glashütte Original, with its new SeaQ Panorama Date giving a knowing nod to the brand’s own much-acclaimed 1969 Spezimatic. As well as being water-resistant up to a depth of 300m and having its date aperture unusually placed at 4 o’clock, it also features white numerals on its sunray-finished black (or blue) dial, while its beautiful Calibre 36-13 movement is visible through its transparent sapphire-crystal caseback. The choice of grey nylon mesh straps or a stainless-steel bracelet is left to the purchaser.
IWC’s Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good”
Taking a more charitable approach to dive watches is IWC, with its 13-year partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation spawning the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good”. Powered by a proprietary Calibre 89365 movement, complete with a flyback function, it also features a hacking seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, a 60-seconds counter at 12 o’clock and an external / internal rotating bezel that ensures the utmost precision in dive time measurements. Engraved on its caseback is the winning artwork from this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards, co-hosted by IWC.
Carl F. Bucherer’s Patravi TravelTec
Clearly looking to maximise its global appeal is Carl F. Bucherer, with the high-end watchsmith launching a new Petrol Blue edition of its well-loved Patravi TravelTec. Functional to depths of 500m, this 46.6mm model offers three different time zone displays and comes fitted with a high-precision CFB 1901.1 automatic movement. Its eye-catching marine-motifed design, meanwhile, is manifested most memorably in its Petrol Blue dial and matching, highly-durable rubber straps.
Tudor Pelagos
Another true pioneer of dive watches is Tudor, with the Geneva-based haute horology house having introduced its first such model back in 1954. It is now looking to revisit this particular past glory via the Tudor Pelagos, a timepiece seen by many as setting a new high-water mark for underwater chronograms. Although certified as waterproof to 500m, each watch has actually endured factory testing to a depth of 625m. In addition, this rugged timepiece comes fitted with a 70-hour power reserve and a titanium case and bracelet said to be 40 percent lighter than any stainless-steel equivalent. Finally, its hour markers, hands and ceramic bezel indicators are all coated with a layer of luminescent Luminova for perfect deep-sea legibility.
Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller
Looking to take precision dive watches to new heights – or, rather, depths – of submergibility, meanwhile, is Rolex with its newly-minted Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller. Renowned as the brand behind the first-ever waterproof wristwatch, the latest addition to its range comes crafted in Rolesor – the marque’s proprietary gold and steel alloy – and sees 18K yellow gold used for the first time in this particular collection. With durability its core design conceit, it features a triple waterproof system said to be resistant to depths of 1,220m.
Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional by Omega
As to the ultimate deep-sea-voyaging statement timepiece, arguably, it may well be Omega’sSeamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional. This, after all, was the watch on the wrist of American adventurer Victor Vescovo when he reached the 10,928m-deep bottom of the Mariana Trench earlier this year. Not only did this super-slim (less than 28mm) watch remain wholly functional, it is actually guaranteed to do so to depths of a further 4,000m. Shouldn’t let you down while you’re checking the time in a rainy golf club car park then, should it?
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Glashütte Original’s new PanoInverse – Limited Edition at Prince Club
Renowned German watchmaker Glashütte Original has been wowing the haute horology world for nigh-on 175 years, and now, it looks set to add to a new chapter of excellence to its storied reputation with the latest iteration to its much-acclaimed Pano collection – the PanoInverse – Limited Edition.
Asymmetrical aesthetics are the dominant design conceit here, with the collection’s iconic off-centre dial in this instance skeletonised to draw all attention squarely to its beautiful butterfly bridge – with its pulsating screw balance – and the manual-winding Calibre 66-08 movement beneath. Elsewhere, the three-quarter plate, normally solely viewable through a transparent caseback, takes centrestage on its front fascia. It’s a deft touch that fully highlights the stunningly intricate filigree foliage engravings that punctuate its rhodium-plated acreage.
Further fitted with an unusual off-centre hours / minutes dial and small-seconds subdial, dark blue Louisiana alligator leather straps complete the sophisticated appeal of this special 25-piece platinum iteration of the PanoInverse – Limited Edition.
Those keen to get a first-hand glimpse of this eye-catching design are in luck, because Glashütte Original is displaying it a very special “Created for Creators” presentation at the Nathan Road-set Prince Club, alongside other highlights from its refined back catalogue. Haste is the order of the day, though, as the exhibition will only be held for another week.
Created for Creators Exhibition by Glashütte Original Date: Now – September 2, 2019 Venue: Prince Club, B/Fl, 23-25 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui Opening Times: Monday – Sunday, 11.30am – 9.30pm
The eye-catching watches of CORUM’s new 2019 Admiral Collection
For over six decades, Swiss watchmaker CORUM has used its high-precision mechanical engineering and inspired craftsmanship skills to gift the world with an array of truly arresting timepieces. Recently, the luxury marque expanded on this storied legacy by introducing the latest 2019 Admiral Collection to eager fans at an exclusive party at The Murray, Hong Kong.
Alfred Hui, Soon Boon Chong, Kevin Chu and Ashley Lam at CORUM’s 2019 Admiral Collection launch party
To help celebrate the premier of the 2019 Admiral Collection, Soon Boon Chong, the brand’s Global Sales and Marketing Director, was joined by several local celebrities who shared insights into their own love of CORUM, including singer Alfred Hui, actor Kevin Chu and Ashley Lam, former Hong Kong Swimming Team member-turned-actress.
Instantly recognisable by their dazzling dodecagonal (12-sided) cases, the new 2019 Admiral Collection that were showcased at the launch event featured three updated designs – the Admiral AC-ONE 45 Openworked Automatic, the Admiral AC-ONE 45 Openworked Tourbillon and the Admiral AC-ONE 45 Chronograph – as well as the exciting debut of the first-ever ladies’ model of the collection: the diamond-ringed Admiral AC-ONE 38 Automatic.
Admiral AC-ONE 45 Openworked Tourbillon
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring of the timepieces on display was the attention-grabbing Admiral AC-ONE Openworked Tourbillon. Speaking to the unique nature of this avant-garde design, Global Sales and Marketing Director of Montres CORUM, Soon Boon Chong, remarked, “Creating top-notch timepieces with innovative elements has always been a mission of CORUM. Following our previous success on skeletonised designs, we are extremely excited to present the Admiral AC-ONE 45 Openworked Tourbillon, a grand complication timepiece that marks another milestone for the brand.”
To find out more about these eye-catching timepieces, visit the CORUM website.
Leonard Montres to showcase eye-catching watch designs at Salon de TE
While Swiss watchmaker Leonard Montres was first established in 2001, the marque opted to completely reinvent itself in 2018 in an effort to effect a transformation of its watch designs, image and style. To say the resultant identity has been a success would be stating it mildly, as its latest collections of men’s and women’s watches have drawn acclaim from industry insiders and haute horology enthusiasts alike.
Of the latest lines released by Leonard Montres, it is perhaps the La Mode collection that merits the closest perusal. For the debonair gentleman, a particularly eye-catching design comes in the shape of its La Mode Cushion Watch. Deftly blending French sophistication with a wholly contemporary flair, its flexibility is evident in the multicoloured array of white, black, blue and yellow dials and strap options – bracelets or leather straps, also in a variety of hues – on offer. Athletic yet elegant, it features a two-hand and a calendar display, while its caseback comes emblazoned with dynamic artworks courtesy of acclaimed Hong Kong artist, Patricia Doo.
Lady watch enthusiasts, meanwhile, could do far worse than give the matching feminine version a close examination. Here, Leonard Montres demonstrates its keen understanding of the yearnings of the fairer sex, opting for a shimmering mother-of-pearl dial and diamond hour markers to sensual effect. Similarly housed in a cushion-shaped case that houses a calendar display at 3 o’clock, the femme iteration of the La Mode Cushion Watch features a floral motif that graces the lower right-hand corner, enhancing its elegant appeal further still.
If these exquisite timepieces have caught your eye, fear not, for Leonard Montres will be showcasing its latest chronograms at the upcoming Salon de TE watch fair (3 – 7 Sept 2019). So best book your tickets now, as the exhibition looks set to promise a truly great time.
Beacons of Hope: The Rolex Awards for Enterprise 2019’s five newest Laureates
Legendary watchmaker Rolex recently took over the iconic Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC for a truly special event – the awards ceremony announcing the five newest recipients of its biennial Rolex Awards for Enterprise. Launched in 1976, the awards were designed to foster the spirit of enterprise in worthy causes ranging from protecting and cultivating the environment and humanity’s cultural heritage to advancing human knowledge and well-being.
Rolex Awards for Enterprise 2019 Laureates (from left): Brian Gitta, Krithi Karanth, Grégoire Courtine, Miranda Wang and João Campos-Silva
In line with the haute horology house’s long-standing commitment to preserving the world around us, the Rolex Awards will now stand as a central pillar in its newly-announced Perpetual Planet campaign, a project aimed at supporting key individuals and organisations worldwide in creating solutions to the world’s myriad environmental challenges.
As recipients of the 2019 Rolex Awards for Enterprise, the five new Laureates not only received considerable funding for their various humanitarian and conservation projects as well as a global platform from which to promote their causes, but also walked away with a Rolex chronometer of their very own.
“These are not achievement awards,” proclaimed Rebecca Irvin, Rolex’s head of philanthropy, “They are awards for people who are on the verge of doing something really important.”
WINNERS OF THE 2019 ROLEX AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE
Miranda Wang
Canadian molecular biologist Miranda Wang has been passionate about solving the plastic waste problem since her school days. Her company, BioCellection, has developed a groundbreaking process that transforms unrecyclable single-use plastics into valuable chemicals for the manufacturing industry. Demonstrably proven to have the same quality as products made from virgin oil, her process also notably reduces carbon dioxide emissions that would result from plastics being dumped or burned.
Next, Wang hopes to develop a fully commercial processing plant utilising this innovative method, a move she predicts will recycle 45,000 tonnes of plastic waste by 2023, thereby eliminating 320,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Grégoire Courtine
French medical scientist Grégoire Courtine has found a solution to help paralysed individuals walk again via an innovative, minimally-invasive treatment that implants an electronic “bridge” implanted between the brain and the spine. Through wireless technology, the neuroprosthetic bridge can restore immediate voluntary control over leg muscles, and has successfully rehabilitated several patients.
Courtine will now embark on a new clinical trial with three paralysed patients, one that will implant a newly-upgraded brain-spine bridge to allow independent control of the neural signals without use of external technology. If successful, it could be expanded to treat other sufferers of spinal-cord paralysis.
Krithi Karanth
Violent clashes between India’s rural farmers and native wildlife populations are all too common. Clashes over limited resources and space often result in damages and death on both sides – including those of endangered tigers, elephants and leopards. While the Indian government does provide compensation, many remain unaware of this provision. That’s where conservation scientist Krithi Karanth comes in. Her approach to mitigating human-wildlife tension is to help those affected – especially the illiterate – in filing for compensation. She has also implemented educational initiatives to increase awareness among the next generation.
Now, she wants to expand her programme to three more national parks and 1,000 more villages, using mobile technology to identify conflict hotspots, and field-test anti-wildlife measures to keep people and their livestock safer.
Brian Gitta
Over 220 million people suffer from malaria each year, resulting in nearly 500,000 fatalities. It’s a tragedy made sadder by the reality that malaria is curable disease if diagnosed promptly. That is the aim of Ugandan IT specialist, Brian Gitta. Current tests require a blood sample, equipment and a trained technician. However, Gitta’s team has developed the Matiscope portable electronic device, capable of bloodlessly diagnosing malaria in under two minutes by detecting any magnetic residue in the blood shed by the malaria parasite.
Gitta now hopes to improve the Matiscope’s diagnostic accuracy to at least 90 percent, while also convincing medical professionals and patients that his non-invasive technology is a cheaper and more efficient means of testing, one that could transform Africa’s war against malaria.
João Campos-Silva
The world’s largest scaled freshwater fish – the giant arapaima – is on the brink of extinction. Long a staple food source to native Amazonians, overfishing, habitat fragmentation and other human impacts have decimated its population. However, Brazilian fisheries biologist João Campos-Silva is determined to reverse this process, while also helping increase quality of life for the indigenous human inhabitants. To that end, he has partnered with locals to foster careful fishery management practices that have yielded an amazing 30-fold increase in arapaima numbers.
Now, Campos-Silva hopes to upscale his model of wildlife conservation to a 2,000km stretch of the Juruá River, a southern tributary of the Amazon River, while also improving the lives of the 60 communities inhabiting that area.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Bare-faced Chic: Tracking the rise of the irresistible skeleton dial
As any watch enthusiast will only too willingly inform you, the movement of a high-end timepiece represents the very pinnacle of precision engineering, with each one painstakingly crafted from hundreds of disparate pieces to produce something that is far greater than the sum of its many parts. For much of horological history, however, these mechanical wonders have been secreted away, stashed beneath the dazzling dials designed to ensure that the true engine room is seldom glimpsed by the eyes of the uninitiated.
Thankfully, the last few decades have gone some way towards remedying this, largely on account of the rise of the temptingly transparent skeleton dial. Here, the emphasis is on leaving the watch’s fascia wholly unadorned and see-through on one or both sides, allowing the inner workings of these high-end chronograms to be easily – and continually – observed. While many of the manifestations of this particular trend are undeniably marvellous, seven of the current crop are particularly memorable…
First up is Breguet, the innovative Swiss marque credited with creating the world’s first tourbillon, which recently unveiled the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395. Here, the open-worked fascia acts to emphasise the super-slim 3mm-thick Calibre 581 movement powering its new self-winding tourbillon, one that is said to be 50 percent lighter than any of its predecessors. Housed in a fluted rose gold case, this wonderfully slim watch’s carriage weighs in at just 0.29g.
Piaget’s Emperador Coussin 1270S
Elegant super-slim design is also the stock in trade of Piaget, as exemplified by the wafer-thin skeletonised lines of its tourbillon-incorporating Emperador Coussin 1270S. Measuring just 5.05mm, its Calibre 1270S movement was custom-built to fit its cushion-shaped white gold case. Here, the skeleton dial reveals the inner workings of its motor and tourbillon, as well as an off-centre four o’clock hour-and-minute subdial.
Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Red Gold
A more minimalist translucent offering comes courtesy of Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Red Gold, which once again sports the brand’s classic black-on-rose-gold motif. Pride of place on its fascia goes to a smaller hour-and-minute subdial at 12 o’clock and a larger small seconds subdial at six o’clock, both of which overlap to form the brand’s iconic figure-eight emblem. Its transparent caseback, meanwhile, facilitates a fascinating view of the double barrels that house its 68-hour power reserve.
Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon Blue
Eschewing classic contours for a more athletic approach is Hublot, with this affectation made manifest in its recently-unveiled Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon Blue. Released in a limited edition of just 100, this aggressively-styled chronogram is the marque’s first barrel-shaped model to incorporate blue occlusioned carbon fibre. With its spacious appearance belying its intricate construction, its knowing design provides an unhindered view of its debutante HUB6020 movement. The tourbillon proper, all the while, takes place of pride at six o’clock, while a five-day power reserve indicator can be found at eight o’clock.
Skeleton X Magma by Ulysse Nardin
Another bold carbon fibre creation is on offer from Ulysse Nardin in the unmistakable form of the Skeleton X Magma. Burnished in an eye-catching lava red, the process of combining carbon fibre with red, marbled epoxy resin is said to make each case quite unique. The skeleton dial here comes punctuated with a rectangle motif – anchored on the left and right by Roman numeral hour markers – through which its UN-371 movement is immediately discernible.
Zenith’s Defy Inventor
Those of an avant-garde disposition, meanwhile, should ensure they get to properly appraise Zenith’s Defy Inventor. Housed in a titanium case that incorporates a bezel fashioned from meteorite-derived Aeronith, the world’s lightest titanium-composite, the pièce de résistance of its open-work design is undoubtedly the Zenith Oscillato. A groundbreaking single silicon component, this comprises an all-in-one balance wheel, balance spring and lever, which is said to grant the movement unprecedented precision and stability. Regrettably, just 10 pieces of this cutting-edge chronogram are destined to ever see the light of day.
Dual Time Resonance Sapphire by Armin Strom
Arguably, superiority in the skeleton dial stakes this time around, though, must be accorded to Armin Strom, the independent Swiss maison credited with creating the world’s first-ever such watch. Intriguingly, its latest offering – the Dual Time Resonance Sapphire – features not one but two separate movements, each tethered to a different time zone, as well as the brand’s revolutionary Resonance Clutch Spring, which connects and synchronises the two mechanisms, ensuring chronographic precision is never compromised. Complete with a 24-hour indicator at six o’clock, its outsized all-sapphire-crystal case facilitates 360-degree observation of the outré movement within – a fitting evolution of the skeleton-dial wristwatch the marque pioneered more than 40 years ago.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Bids top US$1 million for rare white gold Patek Philippe Skymoon Tourbillon
The highlight of the year to date for the Hong Kong Haute Horology Massive was, arguably, the recent Hong Kong Watch Auction: Eight, which saw Phillips, gavel master non pareil, take over Admiralty’s JW Marriott for two days. In total, the event realised HK$110 million in takings, with the undoubted star of the show being a 2007 Patek Philippe Skymoon Tourbillon Ref. 5002G.
Rare white gold Patek Philippe Skymoon Tourbillon Ref. 5002G
Boasting an undeniably elegant and rare white gold dial, the 43mm timepiece more than does justice to the marque’s standing as one of the world’s few masters of grand complications. This particular model actually includes a staggering 12 individual complications, notably a cathedral minute repeater, a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar with a retrograde date hand, a moon phase indicator and a sky chart orbit display.
While yellow gold and platinum iterations of the Ref. 5002G have previously been more widely available, this is only the second time a white gold model has been auctioned publicly. With its impeccable provenance, virtual mint condition and the inclusion of its original certificate of origin and a fitted presentation box, it’s no wonder that this statement timepiece went for a hugely respectable US$1.09 million.
Preview: Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019 by Patek Philippe
After four hugely-successful instalments – Dubai (2012), Munich (2013), London (2015) and New York (2017) – renowned Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe is bring its world-famous Watch Art Grand Exhibition to Singapore later this year. For two weeks from 28 September until 13 October, haute horology enthusiasts, collectors and industry insiders will be treated to a wholly immersive experience in the world of Patek Philippe.
Set to be hosted at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre, the enormous 1,800sq.m showcase will offer 10 uniquely-themed rooms, each highlighting a specific aspect of the watchmaker’s oeuvre and legacy. Lucky attendees will be able to admire the marque’s entire current collection, discover its exciting range of precision-engineered movements or even attend live demonstrations of special craftsmanship techniques such as enamel painting.
One particular attraction of the Watch Art Exhibition Singapore 2019 will be a carefully-curated selection of timekeeping mementos transported from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva especially for the occasion. Split into two sections, the “Antique Collection” will provide a walk through the history of watchmaking, ranging from the first portable timepieces from the 16th century and enamelled pocket watches to stunningly intricate musical automata creations. The “Patek Philippe Collection”, meanwhile, will showcase a series of the manufacture’s most iconic creations from 1839 to present day, including a piece presented to Queen Victoria in 1851 and the first Swiss wristwatch circa 1868.
Specially scheduled to coincide with Singapore’s bicentennial, the Watch Art Exhibition Singapore 2019 will also include a dedicated Singapore 200th Anniversary room, which will highlight select timepieces alongside major milestones from both Patek Philippe and Singapore’s own history. With a series of limited-edition new watches also set to be unveiled during the exhibition, the event truly emphasises the importance of Singapore and the South East Asia region as key markets for Patek.
