IMAGE: THE HOUR GLASS

It says a lot when you’re one of the select few authorised dealers of Audemars Piguet, but to have the Swiss luxury watchmaker make a special timepiece in celebration of your 40th anniversary? Now that’s truly something. The Hour Glass is a high-end watch retail group with an established presence around the Asia Pacific region, and you can say that François-Henry Bennahmias (CEO of Audemars Piguet) is honouring the collaborative relationship between the two by dedicating an all-new 950 platinum Royal Oak Self-Winding Chronograph that’s limited to just 20 pieces worldwide.

The exquisite timepiece takes design cues from a much-lauded 2008 version of the Royal Oak Chronograph, with a two-tone dial that’s furnished with fine details like an angled date aperture, enlarged chronograph counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, along with an additional luminescent coating on the hands and wider hour-markers for enhanced readability. Top it all off with a gorgeous green Grande Tapisserie dial and contrasting yellow gold-tone counters, and you’ve got an absolute winner that’s officially known as the Royal Oak Self-Winding Chronograph The Hour Glass Commemorative Edition.

IMAGE: THE HOUR GLASS

Now, here’s a little bit of the history behind the Royal Oak. It was the first Haute Horlogerie (only fine watchmaking brands that meet a strict criteria set out by the Cultural Council are classified under the Haute Horlogerie foundation) timepiece crafted entirely from stainless steel, breaking the barriers of architectural design with its large octagonal bezel and hexagonal screws, unique Tapisserie dial and an integrated bracelet with descending faceted links.

45 years on, the Royal Oak is still a coveted and contemporary timepiece, elevated further with a refined 950 platinum bezel, bracelet and case, along with an eye-catching two-tone Green/Gold dial that’s unique to this special edition. Powered by a self-winding calibre 2385 movement, integrated chronograph and a column wheel chronograph mechanism, you can officially crown it as the king amongst all that’s available in the market today. Which also explains its 6-figure price point of SGD173,400 and limited availability. Contact The Hour Glass directly for more details.

IMAGES: THE HOUR GLASS