Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Robb Report Singapore

A. LANGE & SÖHNE Minute Repeater Perpetual A. Lange & Söhne’s watchmakers love to stress that they had no precedent when developing chiming complications—each had to be built from the ground up. That makes the Minute Repeater Perpetual, which integrates its two namesake complications, an exceptional achievement. It stands proudly alongside the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater, Richard Lange Minute Repeater, and Grand Complication as one of A. Lange & Söhne’s most technically accomplished creations. Housed in a 40.5mm platinum case with a black enamel dial, the watch exudes elegance befitting its mechanical brilliance. Inside ticks a newly developed, 640-part hand-wound movement that delivers clear, pristine chimes on demand, while automatically computing and displaying complete calendar information—requiring only one correction on 1 March 2100. BELL & ROSS BR-03 Skeleton Lum Ceramic Like…

Patek Philippe does not do horological trends. Rather, the Geneva watchmaking house has consistently defined epochs by upholding the time-honoured watchmaking tenets of creativity, artistry, and innovation. After all, this is the brand that shaped the course of watchmaking history with innovations such as the world’s first wristwatch made in 1868 for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary; the Calibre 89 from 1989, still one of the most complicated mechanical timepieces ever made with 33 complications; and its Advanced Research timepieces that pioneered the use of silicon and other state-of-the-art materials in modern watchmaking. At Watches & Wonders 2025, Patek Philippe once again reaffirmed its horological hegemony with three new in-house movements, each a demonstration of its enduring horological prowess. From a wristwatch melding a quartet of complications to a Calatrava with…

Whether it’s Steve Jobs with the iPhone or Henry Ford with the Model T, every field has its luminaries—the pioneers who pave the way for the ones who come after. In the world of contemporary independent watchmaking, Franck Muller ranks among those who dared to challenge the status quo. The legendary watchmaker, after founding his eponymous brand in 1991, brought an expressive and avant-garde approach to watchmaking, releasing a collection of coveted and complicated mechanical watches that were unlike anything on the market at the time. While many brands were still licking their wounds from the quartz crisis—a disruption that nearly erased mechanical watchmaking—Franck Muller was intent on celebrating the art of traditional watchmaking with exuberance. From creating mechanically demanding timepieces in the 1990s—including multi-complication tourbillons with minute repeaters, perpetual…

SEASONED WATCH COLLECTORS with a taste for adventure know there is no better realm of high horology to explore than that of independent brands. Heralded for their small-batch production and unencumbered creativity while adhering to the time-honoured tenets of fine watchmaking, the best independent watch brands are known to roll-out expressive, innovative, and exceptionally crafted timepieces that can rival the most excellent in the business. These are some of the notable independent releases of 2025, curated with the collector in mind. ■ ARNOLD & SON ■ Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Yellow Gold Edition Limited to 11 pieces, this yellow gold edition of the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 honours the collaboration between John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet, whose friendship helped define 18th-century chronometry. The architectural structure of the movement as well…

Bvlgari risks normalising record-breaking feats in luxury watchmaking. The new Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, which measures just 1.85mm thick—about the height of two stacked credit cards—is officially the world’s thinnest tourbillon wristwatch and the Italian brand’s 10th record-breaker in the category of ultra-thin timepieces. “Each record has been a stepping-stone. Setting a record isn’t just about crossing barriers. It’s about redefining what’s possible in mechanical watchmaking,” Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of LVMH Watches and Bvlgari, said in a press statement. Indeed, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon is all about redefining the status quo. Beyond technical finesse, its creation required a conceptual overhaul. Rather than layering components vertically in the traditional fashion, Bvlgari’s engineers approached the watch as a two-dimensional object. This shift in thinking required teams across the manufacture to chip…

Šibenik, Croatia Venetian traders not only paved Šibenik with marble; they’re also responsible for its Cathedral of St James, constructed from 1431 through 1535, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sailors might recognise from Game of Thrones. A cruise on Luka Kanal reveals more historic buildings along stone-clad banks, and the waters surrounding St Nicholas Fortress make an excellent mooring spot. Ortigia, Sicily Although this tiny island may have lived its best life 2,500 years ago, its enduring Sicilian cuisine and architecture make it a compelling port of call. Savour almond and espresso gelati while visiting baroque churches on piazzas built by ancient Greeks. Two bridges connect Ortigia to Syracuse, the main Greek city of ancient Sicily, where the local pescherie stock enough seafood to sate the…

Amouage Chapter IV – Eternity - of the Odyssey Collection The house of Amouage concludes its Odyssey Collection with the Eternity duo of fragrances. Decision evokes a transformative spark, opening with an electric blend of bergamot, juniper berries, frankincense, and myrrh. This initial brightness gives way to a heart of luminous Atlas cedarwood and a base of warm vanilla. In contrast, Existence embodies serenity and stillness, beginning with lily of the valley and frankincense. As these notes fade, airy aldehydes take centre stage, conveying an immaculate whiteness. The dry-down leaves a soft, enveloping trail of ambergris, white musk, and benzoin. Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream Clé de Peau Beauté unveils a reformulated UV Protective Cream, which has been enhanced with Adaptable Innershield Technology and Moroccan thyme extract to…

ARGENTINA Bodega Colomé 2019 Altura Máxima (Salta) Grapes for this fantastic wine (US$152) are grown at altitudes of 2,896m to 3,109m—some of the world’s highest vineyards. That’s important, because “as elevation increases, we see darker colour and greater aromatic complexity with more structure and freshness in the mouth”, according to winemaker Thibaut Delmotte. Deep garnet to ruby red in the glass, this wine has aromas and flavours of plum, dark chocolate, and black cherry. ITALY Renato Ratti 2020 Rocche dell’Annunziata Barolo (Piedmont) Proprietor and winemaker Pietro Ratti explains that the cliffside Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard “represents the quintessential elegance of Barolo”. Only 3,600 bottles and 200 magnums were made of this garnet-coloured wine (US$190), which has aromas of crushed violets, rose petals, and red raspberry and flavours of black and red…

EARLIER THIS YEAR, Audemars Piguet unveiled a space at Raffles Hotel Singapore that combines several concepts: a home, bar, cafe, an art gallery, and a boutique. Known as AP House, this space exemplifies the delicate balance between precision and passion, creating a narrative that intertwines timepieces with lifestyle and personal expression, and serves as an example of how the 157-year-old watchmaking house is seeking to connect with its clientele. Stefanie Ng, Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia CEO of Audemars Piguet, shares her insights into the vision behind AP House and the brand’s steadfast dedication to promoting craftsmanship and culture. Despite market volatility and increased competition, Audemars Piguet continues to grow and strengthen its global position. The brand’s independence allows it to remain agile and compliant, which is a significant advantage…

Name Ong Ban Occupation CEO of Sincere Watch Limited Headquarters Singapore Speciality High horology EITHER | OR Dress watch | Sports watch The sports watch is my go-to. I wear it for work, travel, even exercise. It delivers on all fronts and across all occasions. Avant-garde | Vintage-inspired I’m especially drawn to 1950s watch design. There’s an enduring charm and character from that era. Leather straps | Bracelets Both. You can have the best of both worlds with an interchangeable strap system. Tourbillons | Perpetual calendars Not only mechanically impressive, but also genuinely useful. Skeleton dial | Enamel dial Enamel dials evoke a vintage design aesthetic and are paired with enduring artisanal craftsmanship.…

WE’RE OFTEN TOLD to resist nostalgia. As many high-flying executives will say, the past exists to remind, not to revisit. It might seem natural then to meet Guillaume Tetu’s return to Hautlence—the brand he co-founded in 2004—with a measure of scepticism. Yet this doesn’t feel like a frivolous bid for the past. After years in strategic and creative roles, including a tenure at Ralph Lauren Watches, Tetu returns to help guide the brand forward, bringing with him the same blend of design conviction and mechanical whimsy that first defined Hautlence. Now working alongside Cédric Joos, appointed brand manager in early 2025 after a formative spell at H. Moser & Cie., where he helped drive the brand’s recent creative and commercial momentum, Tetu believes Hautlence is once again brimming with the…

Blancpain, 290 Years In Brief: As the oldest watch brand in the world, Blancpain is revered for marrying elegant restraint with mechanical complexity, most notably through the Fifty Fathoms and Villeret lines. What to Buy in 2025: Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV. Blancpain extends its Ocean Commitment programme with the Tech BOC IV, a 100-piece limited edition of the Fifty Fathoms—the world’s first modern dive watch, launched in 1953. It features a titanium case with a helium escape valve and runs on the automatic calibre 1315A, offering a five-day power reserve. Each watch contributes €1,000 to the Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Center, totalling €100,000 in support. Vacheron Constantin, 270 Years In Brief: The world’s oldest continuously operating manufacture, Vacheron Constantin has merged technical excellence with haute couture elegance for…

Echoes of the late Roger Dubuis loomed large at the brand’s Watches & Wonders booth this year. Where just a year ago, the space was decorated to look like a portal of sorts into the future—awash in flashes of red and silver, with robotic dogs prancing about—the ambience was markedly different for 2025. Instead, guests basked in vantage-point views of Roger Dubuis’ watchmaking facility in Geneva that covered the walls, and perused treasured watches, such as Mr Dubuis’ Sympathie Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Moonphase that he wore until his final days. Yet, to David Chaumet, CEO of Roger Dubuis, both expressions of the company—the hyper-modernistic projections of 2024 and this year’s stately evocation of roots-reckoning horology— inhabit the same universe. “It is a unique place that we occupy for sure,” he…

As an avowed Japanophile—one who admittedly romanticises the country, its people, and culture a little too fervently—the idea that high-end watchmaking could be shaped by Japanese sensibilities feels revelatory. When I first encountered Grand Seiko’s timepieces in Japan nearly two decades ago, the brand was still a domestic secret. Everything I admired about horology—its reverence for tradition, ceaseless creativity, and deep well of craftsmanship—was suddenly reframed through a uniquely Japanese lens, where timepieces emerged that were, by turns, more nuanced, poetic, and precise. It’s fair to say the secret has long since slipped out, especially following Grand Seiko’s international debut in 2010. That milestone, while strategic in expanding the brand’s global footprint, also marked the beginning of a remarkable creative renaissance. Its separation as an independent marque in 2017—stepping out…

GOLF WEARABLES TYPICALLY fall neatly into two categories: purpose-built devices with deep performance metrics and sport-forward designs or premium smartwatches and hybrids offering lifestyle appeal but only basic on-course utility. Very few attempt to combine the two and even fewer do so convincingly. TAG Heuer entered this space in 2020 with the Connected Golf Edition, a 45mm smartwatch that brought together shot tracking, hazard mapping, and a sleek titanium build more commonly seen in traditional timepieces. The newer Calibre E4 Golf Edition 42mm refines that original concept. We tested the device—which now boasts a smaller case, enhanced shot tracking, and elevated wearability—over a round of golf to see if it was up to par. A Digital Caddie The standout feature of the E4 Golf Edition is its Full Shot Tracking,…

A. Lange & Söhne #02-05A Ion Orchard 6509 1712 www.alange-soehne.com Audemars Piguet Liat Towers 6836 4918 www.audemarspiguet.com Blancpain #B2M-237 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6634 8771 www.blancpain.com Bovet #B2M-200 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 9726 3858 www.bovet.com Breguet #B2-236 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6338 6006 www.breguet.com Bvlgari #B1-36/37 & #B2-34/35 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6634 8313 www.bulgari.com Cartier #01-20 & #02-10 Ion Orchard 6929 8703 www.cartier.sg Chanel #L1-59 & #B1-133 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6645 1950 www.chanel.com Chopard #B1-107 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6688 7999 www.chopard.com Franck Muller #01-55/55A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6634 8825 franckmuller-asiapacific.com Grand Seiko #B2M-235 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6688 7202 www.grand-seiko.com Hublot #02-08 Ion Orchard 6514 7200 www.hublot.com IWC Schaffhausen #B2-210…

In a sport where every second matters and where victory hinges on the unforgiving interplay between man and machine, it’s easy to see why motor racing has long been entwined with the world of fine watchmaking. On paper, it’s a symbiotic relationship made in heaven. Yet, while the parallels between the racetrack and the watch workshop are often celebrated, not every partnership lives up to the promise. Too often, watch collectors are asked to buy into the fantasy of the ‘Formula One-inspired’ timepiece; models that, beneath the bravado and branding, reveal little more than cosmetic tweaks to an existing watch that has been hastily adorned with a team’s livery or a championship logo. H. Moser & Cie., for one, is intent on ensuring that its partnership with Alpine Motorsports— covering…

The new Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller from Rolex has drawn effusive accolades, ranging from “most meaningful yet” to “game-changing,” even from the most hard-nosed watch journalists. Granted, Rolex reliably commands column inches at every annual watch showcase, but the Land-Dweller is the debut collectors have long pined for. Notwithstanding the 1908 dress watch collection from 2023, which was an evolution of the Cellini line, it is the brand’s first new collection since the Sky-Dweller in 2012. Accidentally leaked in an Instagram post before its official release at Watches & Wonders 2025 by Rolex ambassador and tennis legend, Roger Federer, the then-furtive Land-Dweller was a picture of sportive, weekend chic. Gleaming in the afternoon sun, high up in the Alps (Swiss, presumably), the watch looked right at home on Federer’s wrist—casually paired…

At first, the horological world didn’t quite know what to make of it. The year was 2009 and A. Lange & Söhne had just unveiled a watch that looked like it belonged on a spaceship dashboard rather than under the cuff of a bespoke shirt. The Zeitwerk, with its ‘digital display’ that was orchestrated via carefully coordinated mechanical parts, felt like an unwarranted departure from a brand otherwise known for classic and stately offerings. And yet, in true A. Lange & Söhne fashion, there was method in the madness. While at first glance, the Zeitwerk was a visual jolt, its inspiration was rooted firmly in the past. A. Lange & Söhne’s designers were inspired by the five-minute clock in Dresden Semper Opera House—commissioned by King Frederick Augustus II in the…

By any measure, 160 years is a milestone worth honouring. Yet for Zenith, whose very name evokes a pursuit of peak performance, such celebrations come not just with fanfare, but with an affirmation of what came before and what lies ahead. The storied manufacture has marked its anniversary with a series of commemorative timepieces that weaves tradition and innovation into a seamless expression of horological intent. For instance, the highly coveted G.F.J—named after its founder Georges Favre-Jacot—is a subtly ornamental platinum dress watch that is powered by a reworked version of its award-winning Calibre 135 movement. Meanwhile, the Blue Ceramic Chronograph Trilogy 160th Anniversary limited edition comprises three of Zenith’s most iconic chronographs, housed in striking blue ceramic that the brand developed for the occasion. Adding to this celebratory narrative…

Couple dressing takes many forms, ranging from bold, head-to-toe coordination to discreet expressions of unity that only the discerning will notice. For Chopard, matching timepieces offer an elegant and meaningful way for couples to signal emotional harmony and shared values. Each pairing becomes a wearable symbol of connection, whether sparkling with gemstones or radiating sporty sophistication. Date Night Nothing complements a romantic evening quite like the glint of gemstones for both him and her. Chopard’s Happy Fish and Alpine Eagle Topaz Blue timepieces are perfect companions for a night on the town. For her, the Happy Sport timepiece is a modern classic, crafted in Chopard’s proprietary Lucent Steel and enriched with ethical rose gold accents. Cabochon-set lugs and a sapphire-topped crown frame the case, while a rose gold fish with…

THE BR-03 DIVER LUM OUTLINE IS the latest addition to Bell & Ross’s storied horological line-up and an enticing proposition for modern divers. A masterstroke of form and function, the timepiece features photoluminescent materials that create a vivid green outline, visible only in low light and evoking the glow of a neon sign. This ethereal radiance serves both aesthetic and practical purposes, ensuring optimum legibility even in challenging underwater environments. True to Bell & Ross’s philosophy of crafting an array of professional-grade instruments with visual punch, the BR-03 Diver Lum Outline showcases ‘bain-marie’-style applied indices and skeletonised hour and minute hands, filled with black varnish to intensify the luminous outline. In watchmaking parlance, ‘bain-marie’—French for ‘bathtub’—refers to the softly rounded, oblong shape of the markers, adding a retro-modern design flourish.…

FASHION, BY NATURE, is fleeting. Trends rise and fall with the seasons, often discarded before they’ve had time to settle. However, at Why&Co, a Singapore-based bespoke leather footwear label, a different philosophy takes root. For founder Naresh Kunasegaran, fashion is not a race—it is a quiet, deliberate craft that is built to endure. In a market saturated with logos, influencers, and disposable style, Why&Co champions longevity, creating shoes that are not merely worn but lived in, gathering stories and character over time. Kunasegaran never set out to make a splash. Instead, it was about staying true to an internal compass that pointed toward craftsmanship, substance, and longevity. “True style doesn’t need to be loud,” he often says, echoing the brand’s ethos. “It can be quiet, intentional, and rooted in integrity.”…

A COMPLETE RENOVATION isn’t always necessary to transform your space. Sometimes, a few carefully chosen decor pieces can redefine a room’s mood and elevate its aesthetic. From iconic reissues to eco-conscious tableware, these curated home accents blend style, substance, and craftsmanship. Swarovski, Signum Collection Crafted in collaboration with porcelain specialist Rosenthal, Swarovski’s Signum collection expands on the success of its original tea and dining sets. Now, four mini vases (8cm) are available in Swarovski’s signature colours: blue, green, and pink. Additionally, individual pieces such as espresso cups, teacups, bread plates, and dessert plates can be mixed and matched, allowing for versatile table settings that reflect your personal taste. Poltrona Frau, Dezza Armchair To mark the 60th anniversary of the Dezza armchair, Poltrona Frau has reissued the original 1965 design by…

SOMETIMES, NO MATTER how smart, connected, and well-resourced you are, you simply need an expert—and not just any expert, but the rarefied insider other specialists call when they need help. Luckily, Robb Report has a roster of such world-class professionals on speed dial. This month, we speak to Ong Ban, CEO of Sincere Watch Limited. Even after 27 years in the watch industry, Ong approaches each timepiece with undimmed passion, insisting that a great watch should stir something deep within. His emotional connection to horology is matched only by his astute understanding of the business behind it. THE BIG QUESTION I’m ready to level up my collection beyond the usual blue-chip watch brands. I’m talking grail pieces, independents, and ultra-exclusive production. But with so much hype and misinformation out there,…