Celebrity Life

From the Big Bang Integral to a hot Sang Bleu model, the brand expands its popular families at the digital watch fair that took place in January.

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We take a closer look at colourful luxury watches of every shade and hue.

Back in the day, watch dials were black or white, silver or gold. Now they come in just about every hue imaginable. We sift through the spectrum of shades you can strap on to your wrist, from vibrant red to regal violet – and even a veritable kaleidoscope of colour. Here are the best colourful luxury watches.

The Best Colourful Luxury Watches

Breitling

This colourful luxury watches capsule collection of Top Time chronographs from Breitling, which pays tribute to three American performance cars of the 1960s – the Shelby American Cobra (left, with blue-and-white dial), the Chevrolet Corvette (centre, with red-and-black dial) and the Ford Mustang (right, with green and black dial) – nails the vintage vibe perfectly. In 42mm (Corvette and Mustang) and 40mm (Cobra) stainless-steel cases and with racing-style leather straps, all three watches feature ETA-based automatic movements – on the 42mm models it’s the 1/8th-of-a-second Calibre 25, while the 40mm version gets the 1/4th-of-a-second Calibre 41; all beat at 4Hz for a 42-hour reserve of power. Pops of contrasting colour on each dial’s outer tachymeter scale ramp up the appeal still further.

H. Moser & Cie.

Although with a similar design to that of the Heritage Bronze “Since 1828”, Moser’s Heritage Dual Time not only gets a lustrous sunburst fumé burgundy dial but, to burnish its already convincing vintage pilot’s credentials, it also features a second 24- hour hand that, when the user isn’t travelling, can cleverly be hidden beneath the main hour hand. If that weren’t sufficiently indicative of the ingenuity of this small, Schaffhausen-based manufacture, the brand logo is rendered in transparent lacquer and, in certain lights, becomes almost invisible. In a 42mm steel case, the watch is powered by the automatic HMC calibre, which runs at 3Hz for a 72-hour reserve.

Grand Seiko

If the sword-shaped hands and multi-faceted hour markers (which glint beguilingly from whichever angle you look at them) weren’t sufficient to tell you it’s a Grand Seiko, then just look at the dial of this Snow on the Blue Lake limited edition. Inspired by the winter landscape of Hachimandai in Iwate prefecture, the delicate light-blue hue recalls sunshine on snow. With just 140 pieces available across five key Asian markets, this delightful and rare timepiece is presented in a 40mm steel case housing the high-beat 9S85 calibre, a super-accurate automatic movement offering a power reserve of 55 hours.

Omega

Although the current design codes of Omega’s dressy Constellation collection were set back in the early 1980s, such is the way of trends that it seems they’ve swung right back into vogue. It thus comes as no surprise that the brand has decided to further enliven the Constellation’s appeal with this recent drop of three 36mm ladies’ versions with diamond-set bezels, sun-brushed coloured PVD dials and matching alligator straps. While all have steel cases and are powered by Omega’s Metas-certified 8800 co-axial automatic calibre, the burgundy model features a steel bezel, the blue reference comes with a bezel in yellow gold and the brown version has a bezel in Sedna gold.

Audemars Piguet

One of the main criticisms voiced when Audemars Piguet unveiled its Code 11.59 three years ago was that, while technically and in terms of craftsmanship the watches were exceptional, the dials were somewhat uninspiring – and especially on the simpler time-and-date models. The subsequent release, in September 2020, of five new chronograph and three-hand models with sunburst lacquered dials in blue, grey, burgundy and purple, went a long way towards addressing those issues – and especially as those opulent hues are offset with white and pink gold for the case and dial furniture, and matched with luxurious alligator straps. In fact, we’d even go as far as saying they’re actually rather fabulous.

Bvlgari x MB&F

In an unparalleled collaboration, Bvlgari and MB&F revealed two extravagantly over-the-top, gem-set versions of the independent Swiss watchmaker’s Flying T at the recent Dubai Watch Week. One, shown here, is in rose gold with a pink alligator strap and the other comes in white gold with a green strap – and both are covered in clear and coloured stones. In 39 x 20mm cases with delicately high-domed crystals, these 20-piece limited editions aren’t watches that can be worn every day, but they do demonstrate the spectacular results that can be achieved when avant-garde watchmaking and high-jewellery creativity collide.

Rolex

To Rolex-watchers accustomed to minuscule yet Earth-shaking changes in case diameters or bezel thicknesses, the company’s drop of new watches in the late summer of 2020 must have been a particular shock because among them was a quintet of Oyster Perpetuals in 36mm steel cases and brightly coloured lacquer dials. Four of them – in yellow, turquoise, coral red and candy pink – are shown here; there was also a not-quite-so-shattering green, and this year they were joined by 36mm Datejusts with palm- motif dials in olive green, gold and grey. All these may be unusually light-hearted on the outside, but they’re resolutely Rolex within, boasting Superlative Chronometer movements with Chronergy escapements and a 70-hour reserve of power.

Richard Mille

Yet another tribute to the long-time Richard Mille friend, ambassador and tennis great, the new RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal brings a new patented innovation – in the form of a butterfly rotor, three years in the development – to the brand’s high-tech box of tricks. This new feature, says the brand, “allows the wearer to directly interact with the rotor’s geometry, controlling the movement’s winding speed based on lifestyle and activity levels …” Philistines that we are, however, we’re more interested in the watch’s colour palette, which on this version includes blue Quartz TPT, red, yellow and white (there’s another model in mostly white Quartz TPT and light blue).

Hublot

Never one of the shrinking violets of the Swiss watch industry, Hublot has become renowned for pushing the boat out – though, in this, its latest collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, the vessel in question is more superyacht than skiff. In fact, the limited-edition Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow, whose name pretty much says it all, is described by Hublot as “a whirlwind of transparency and colour”, which indeed it would be if you were to combine a 45mm case fashioned from solid sapphire with a rotating dial comprising 384 brightly coloured gemstones. And yes, if you were wondering, it even tells the time.

The post Time in Technicolour: Colourful Luxury Watches in Every Shade appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Andrew Tay, director of Sennett Battery, highlights a few prized pieces from his collection.

The post This watch collector bought a $200,000 timepiece behind his wife’s back appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Andrew Tay, director of Sennett Battery, highlights a few prized pieces from his collection.

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Many may know him as the Thai Prince of South Korea – Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul has been taking the entertainment industry by storm ever since he first debuted in 2008 as part of the South Korean hip-hop boy group 2PM.

When the band took an official hiatus in 2017 to complete their mandatory military service, Nichkhun, who was born in the US to Chinese parents, stepped out to pursue his own personal interests outside of the band. To great success too, in 2019, he penned and released an album in South Korea, China and Thailand called Me. Dabbling in acting, Nickhun has also been cast in the upcoming Hollywood film Hong Kong Love Story alongside fellow actors Byron Mann and Kenneth Tsang, and will be appearing in a Thai horror film called CRACKED.

As 2PM prepares to make their comeback this year with its latest album MUST, we catch up with Nichkhun to see how he's getting along with his bandmates, the new album release and the exciting new world of acting he's found himself in.

Nichkhun, congratulations on 2PM's latest Album MUST. How does it feel to unite with your bandmates after a 5-year hiatus?

Thank you. It was like a dream come true for me to be able to make a comeback again after so many years in hiatus. Though I worked on my own projects during that time I have missed being together with the whole 2PM. We had a lot of fun during production and promotion. It felt like yesterday when we last released our album.

What was the most exciting thing about making the new album?

Just the fact that all 6 are back together was the most exciting part and the rest just followed along. The same 6 kids reunited for a fun comeback.

What's next for 2PM?

Well we have another mini album releasing in Japan and we are definitely looking for any opportunity to perform live on stage. Just waiting for this fog to be lifted.

Congratulations also on your Hollywood debut! Has this always been a dream for you?

I always picture myself living in Cali one day and I know I’m a person who cannot stop working. Having worked out there is a big reason for me to live there so yes being in Hollywood was always a dream for me. But it’s a dream I’m not taking lightly so if I’m going to keep trying to make it in Hollywood I need to make sure I’m always on point.

What can you tell us about Hong Kong Love Story?

I don’t want to spoil too much but I play a wealthy playboy who loves to party with my brother from another mother played by Byron Mann. I feel like we have good chemistry. We always have fun and try out things outside of the script all the time. This may be a character the audience has never seen me play before so I hope they like him.

You also have a horror film in Thailand coming up called CRACKED.

I like to challenge myself and I feel like I always choose romantic comedy types of films because I feel comfortable playing those roles. But with CRACKED it’s dark, it’s depressing, it’s thrilling, and it gets your heart pounding. So I thought it would be another big step in my acting career if I can carry this role. I worked really hard in preparation for the film as well. Hope the audience will like it.

You're often casted as the rich man in acting projects. Do you feel typcasted?

I must admit that I do have an image that the public thinks of when they see me or hear my name. And I want to break away from that especially if I want to continue my acting career. That is why I chose a movie like CRACKED to show my more serious side.

You've really taken on a range of projects from acting to voice acting and singing. Do you have a preference for acting or singing now?

I enjoy both acting and singing. Singing brought me to where I am today and that’s something I’ll always do. But acting is like a new career path that is still yet to be explored so while continuing to be in 2PM I will also work hard as an actor. As for people I want to work with will probably be my members in 2PM. Most of them are known for their acting skills and it will be so much fun if we get to all be in the same project.

You're also working on a project in China. Can you tell us more about it?

I recently joined a Chinese TV show called《追光吧！哥哥2》. It's a performance competition program and there are elimination rounds. I can't spoil too much but I can tell you that everyone on the show is a tough competitor so I will need to prepare well for every round. Hope the viewers enjoy seeing me on the show. I am also taking Chinese lessons so that I can communicate with people on the show.

CREATIVE DIRECTION AND STYLING ALVIN GOH
RETOUCHING SHENG YANG
HAIR JEAN T @ ATEN STUDIO
MAKE-UP ALVIN GOH

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As Chaumet's CEO Jean-Marc Mansvelt tells us, bringing the house's 240-year heritage into the modern era is an immense task that amounts to a "daily obsession". But if the new pieces in the Chaumet Joséphine collection are anything to go by, the Place Vendôme stalwart is heading in the right direction.

What kind of woman today does the Joséphine collection appeal to?

First, it’s about a woman with a certain character. Because when you choose to wear a tiara on your finger, you’re making a choice of distinction, a choice of character. You’re sending a message to say you’re not like everyone else and you have a certain strength and a certain personality. But also a sense of virtuosity, grace and beauty, because it’s not for women who want to be too provocative.

It’s a way to set your personality. And then of course, there are two major reasons to become a client of Joséphine. On one side, it remains one of the favourite pieces chosen for a bridal purpose. It’s connected to the initial history of Chaumet, the history of the power and love between Napoleon and Joséphine. And Napoleon is known everywhere, that’s incredible. There’s another type of client on the other side of the connection with the pearls, the coloured stones, something a bit easier and more accessible.

This year, Chaumet's creations have also incorporated sleeker, more modern takes on the tiara. Can you tell us a bit about the new high jewellery?

After many creations that were a bit more tiara-like, a bit more decorative, more visible, more baroque in a certain way, we wanted to enrich the collection with new ways to mix and match, and to go for designs that were slicker, with a more minimalist approach, because that’s also the style of today. We have a feeling that clients today are a little more understated, and we have the capacity to create beauty through a fine line, rather than an accumulation. So one of our high- jewellery pieces, which is sort of a V with a stone in suspension, doesn’t shout about its design. It’s all about balance.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Joséphine collection...

But we don’t mark it that way for two reasons. I always feel that if you start doing anniversaries for everything, then at the end, what’s the meaning in it? Last year, when we did the 240 years of Chaumet, that was slightly different. For Chaumet, our heritage is much longer than a decade, it’s about centuries. Instead, this year, we’re celebrating our connection with the 200th anniversary of the death of Napoleon, which is significant in Europe and in France. We’ve done an exhibition at 12 Place Vendôme that was open to the public which tells the love story of Napoleon and Josephine through 150 different objects, beautiful loans from museums and private owners.

Which piece proved to be the most challenging piece in the collection?

The most discussed and the most debated one was the watch. Because we’re clearly a jeweller, and we’ve focused all our efforts and attention on jewellery. But since a few years ago, we’ve reassessed and repositioned what watches mean for Chaumet. It’s true that with the business of watches within Chaumet, we’ve really tried to be coherent with what the story of watchmaking for Chaumet is as a jeweller. One of our challenges was to look at the market – in the market, 90 percent of watches are round – and nobody’s waiting for Chaumet to create a round watch, because we already have thousands of beautiful options on the market.

We decided on a shaped watch, and it wasn’t very difficult to settle on the pear shape, like an illusion of a diamond. We also faceted the watch’s dial.

How do you balance 240 years of heritage behind a brand and stay relevant at the same time?

That’s really the obsession every single day. How do we continue the narrative, the link to the story? Since the pandemic, we’ve seen clients choose Chaumet because there’s longevity. And so it becomes a daily obsession of ours to convey this message to our clients through different means, including the digital approach, so we can speak to the needs of our audience today. We also go through the traditional channels and have books and exhibitions. I regularly write down on paper in two columns: on one side, how much do we tell the story of Chaumet, and on the other, how do we take a contemporary approach, either through the narrative or through using different tools? I take a step back and ask myself is there a balance? If we’re going too much in one direction, maybe it’s time to rebalance. It’s in everything we do.

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