Art of Time is a must-visit for watch afionados of all inclinations
Art of Time makes its return this year starting Oct 12 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, marking Swiss Watch’s two incredible decades in haute horlogerie in Malaysia. Themed “Defining Moment”, the highly anticipated event headlined by 18 watchmakers features a unique partnership with five leading Malaysian talents. Here are some watches to look out for.
BOVET 1822
The Virtuoso VII represents the pinnacle of the technical and artistic talent available at the house of Bovet. In this perpetual calendar with a retrograde date — a sophisticated complication in and of itself — watchmakers have sought to make things interesting by innovating the layout of the calendar functions, and relying on not one but two dials with a patented double coaxial seconds mechanism. Every component, whether visible or not, is decorated using traditional artisanal methods.
Within the 43.3mm red or white gold case, the hand-wound Calibre 13BM12AIQPR — which offers a robust five days of power in a single barrel — ticks beneath a delicately guilloched dial, and embraces the wrist by way of an alligator leather strap. The Virtuoso VII comes with the iconic patented Amadéo system that allows the watch to be used as a wristwatch, pocket watch or desk clock without the need for tools.
JAQUET DROZ
Issued in just eight pieces to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Pierre Jaquet-Droz, the Bird Repeater, an automaton equipped with a minute repeater function, embodies the essence of the house. Its dial in white mother-of-pearl and black onyx features appliqués in 18-carat red gold. The watch displays the Jaquet Droz quintessence and three centuries of heritage, in a single resolutely contemporary creation.
Multiple bird animations, eggs hatching and the river in the background — inspired by the La Ronde that flows through La Chaux-de-Fonds, West Switzerland — breathe life into this watch. This weave of intricate animations, completely engraved and painted by hand, resonates with a minute repeater, one of fine watchmaking’s most virtuosic complications, which is housed at the heart of its 18-carat, 47mm red gold case. This watch pays homage to the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking.
BREMONT
Subjected to the same rigorous testing as aircraft live ejection seat launches, Bremont’s MB Savanna is a pilot’s watch with a difference, especially the unusual desert-inspired shade of the 43mm Grade 5 titanium case, metal dial and rubber strap. It has twin knurled crowns for setting the time and the inner rotating bezel, a movement mount that protects the movement from extreme shocks and is powered by the modified calibre BE-36AE automatic chronometer.
MAURICE LACROIX
The newest addition to Maurice Lacroix’s Pontos family, the PONTOS S Chronograph is sporty and elegant. Together with a scratch-resistant Ceramic bezel, tachymeter scale and stainless steel case, the placement of the two chronograph counters, the seconds display and day and date window provide a refined aesthetic. It is powered by the automatic ML112 calibre with Côtes de Genève, perlage and sunbrush decoration, on top of which sits a sandblasted dial in silvery white or dark blue with SuperLumi-Nova-lined hands for maximum legibility.
ORIS
The heir to a pilot’s legacy watch that goes back more than 100 years, the ProPilot X Calibre 400 features one of Oris’ new generation high-performance automatics within a sturdy 39mm titanium case. The in-house Calibre 400 Series movements all include elevated levels of anti-magnetism, a five-day power reserve and a 10-year warranty. A joy to behold, from any angle.
TISSOT
Previously only available with time and date functions, Tissot’s PRX line has now been endowed with a high-functioning chronograph. Within the case of the new 42mm PRX Automatic Chronograph is a reverse panda dial — where white subdials are arranged against a contrasting black backdrop — and the Valjoux A05.H31 calibre, which features an extended 60-hour power reserve. 1970s sports watch chic never looked so good.
Other exhibitors include Bianchet, Charles Girardier, Raidillon and Speake-Marin.
Defining Moment by Art of Time 2022 is presented by Swiss Watch and will run from October 12 to 23 (10am-10pm) at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Centre Court. See here for more.
This article first appeared on Oct 10, 2022 in Art of Time by Swiss Watch.
