Love watches? Here’s your chance to gape at rare mechanical marvels
From now until Sun, Oct 21, JeweLuxe at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza is showcasing 11 independent watch- and clock makers, plus Singapore’s own Azimuth and Zelos.
Visitors admiring Sinclair Harding's Colonne du Temps mechanical table clock. (Photo: Aaron De Silva)
If you’re out and about Orchard Road this weekend, stop in at the AHCI (the Zurich-based Academy of Independent Horologers) booth at JeweLuxe.
The watch and jewellery festival, now in its second edition, is hosting the AHCI for the second year running. But compared to 2017, there are now 11 independent watch- and clockmakers, up from four previously.
The AHCI consists of 31 members in total. Returning once again are horological heavyweights such as Switzerland’s Vianney Halter and Ludovic Ballouard; Russia’s Konstantin Chaykin; and Hungary’s Aaron Becsei.
They are joined this year by China’s Ming Guo and LYH (Lin Yong Hua); Spain’s Pita Barcelona; Italy’s Meccaniche Orologi Milano; Switzerland’s Antoine Preziuso and D. Candaux; and the UK’s Sinclair Harding.
Flying the Singapore flag high – though not part of the AHCI fraternity – are homegrown horologers Azimuth and Zelos, both independent brands.
AHCI members are known for their dedication to their art; small production numbers; and unique, often handcrafted designs that can range from the super-creative to the outrageous and whimsical.
Becsei’s timepieces, for example, feature dials that are painstakingly hand-engraved by a master engraver in Hungary. He manufactures less than eight timepieces a year. Rare also are timepieces from Vianney Halter, who is known to have produced less than 500 watches in his 22-year career.
But watchmaking isn’t all serious stuff. Adding levity to the showcase is Chaykin’s Joker timepiece, which will surely bring a smile to your face.
JeweLuxe is on at the Tent at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza, from 1pm to 8pm. Admission is free.
