Tudor is celebrating its global partnership with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team with a pop-up at Pavilion KL (Photo: Tudor)
Need for speed
Tudor is taking over Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s Centre Court with a pop-up to celebrate its global partnership with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team (VCARB) ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. Presented by Swiss Watch, the showcase spotlights the daring spirit of three of the brand’s most iconic timepieces that explore the synergy between motorsport and Swiss watchmaking.
Released as a numbered limited edition of 2025 units, the Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” is fully dressed in lightweight carbon fibre with an integrated tachymeter bezel on the case. The classic Black Bay Chrono, now available in a five-link bracelet, is also on display. The highlight, however, is the Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” (pictured), a Master Chronometer-certified timepiece that pairs the VCARB team livery with a robust ceramic case.
Guests can also engage with a series of immersive activations, from testing their reflexes at Tudor’s Batak Reaction Challenge to taking the driver’s seat in the F1 simulators. Exclusive giveaways and redemptions ensure there is something for everyone to take home from the experience.
The Tudor x VCARB Pop-Up Experience runs until Sept 14 at Pavilion KL.
Vertical integration
Audemars Piguet has announced a majority investment in Inhotec SA, a components manufacturing company for high-end mechanical movements based in Le Locle, Switzerland. Renowned for its excellence in micromechanics and expertise in precision machining, Inhotec supplies components to a stellar list of Swiss brands, including Audemars Piguet, bringing complicated designs to life, be it a bespoke order or the production of a large series.
From programming and milling to electroerosion and lasering, Inhotec’s Machine Park is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that works with micron-level tolerances, ensuring impeccable precision at every step.
“This partnership marks an important milestone in Inhotec’s history. Audemars Piguet’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in our team, our expertise and our long-term potential. By joining forces, we are creating the conditions for Inhotec to continue innovating and serving the entire watchmaking industry,” says Inhotec founder and CEO Alexandre Eme, who retains a significant minority stake in
the company.
It is also about consolidating strategic key skills and supporting the continuity of an expertise that is beneficial to the future of haute horlogerie for the entire industry, adds Lucas Raggi, Audemars Piguet’s chief industrial officer.
Inhotec will continue to retain its operational autonomy, serving its current and future clients, including all watch brands in its portfolio.
Café culture
Casio’s first flagship hybrid store, combining a retail space and café, is making waves in Seoul. Located in the trendy Dosan area of Apgujeong, CAFE 00:00 draws inspiration from the 24-hour notation of midnight, a time that symbolises both the beginning and end of the day.
Extensive use of wood creates a warm and relaxed atmosphere, making the watches feel more approachable and inviting to a wider audience. The store opens up to a dedicated retail area complete with a VIP room that segues naturally to the café. The dining space is peppered with installations and artworks that reflect the brand’s identity. Product displays and limited-edition items commemorating the grand opening are also featured throughout.
On the menu, Japanese flavours meet Korean trends with a variety of crafted desserts and drinks incorporating ingredients from both countries. The Matcha Parfait, in particular, is excellent for sharing. Built on a rich milk-pudding base, it is layered with Japanese Uji matcha cream, azuki kanten jelly, chewy shiratama, sponge cake, black sesame chocolate crisps and crowned with a large scoop of gelato.
For a quick refresher, the Casio Iced Tea blends sweet peach with zesty lemon in an electric blue concoction. Your standard coffee orders are also available, of course, in addition to a selection of baked goods.
If you are lucky, you may still be able to snag a limited-edition commemorative timepiece designed in collaboration with Korean streetwear brand Youth, alongside exclusive café merchandise created with lifestyle brand Lofa Seoul.
27, 46-gil, Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Daily, 11am to 8pm.
Fly high
Last year, Bell & Ross announced its partnership with the Rafale Solo Display, the official flight demonstration programme operated by the French Air and Space Force featuring one of the best fighter aircraft in the world.
The poster child of Dassault Aviation, the Rafale is known for its “omnirole” capabilities. It is able to carry out a wide range of tasks, such as air defence, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance and nuclear deterrence. The spectacular aerial demonstrations, often a highlight at international air shows and aviation events, are held to showcase the model’s technological superiority and agility.
Having specialised in tool watches for aviation professionals since 1994, Bell & Ross is christening this alliance with the new BR-03 Chrono Rafale Solo Display.
Operating at speeds ranging from 200kph to 1,100kph, the pilots of the Rafale must be able to rely on the immediate and perfect readability of the instruments in the cockpit and a watch is no exception. Limited to 500 pieces, the chronograph has been designed for high performance in these extreme conditions.
High-tech black ceramic makes the precision tool impervious to scratches. The BR-CAL.301 calibre keeps the automatic movement precise, while the visual elements on the dial, accented with orange and yellow details, promote optimal readability. The watch comes with a black openworked rubber strap and synthetic fabric strap emblazoned with the Rafale Solo Display’s logo.
It is a woman’s world
From Sept 10 to 26, Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) is celebrating the world of feminine timepieces with The Dream Shaper exhibition in Shanghai. The public is invited to discover the myriad ways in which the La Grande Maison’s designers, watchmakers and artisans have honoured the evolving needs and desires of women for over two centuries.
More than 70 archival and exceptional timepieces will be displayed alongside three limited-edition models making their global debut. The exhibition features four major themes. The Age of Tradition — Ornamented Watches explores how women from the 19th to the early 20th century found expression through adornment. Pendants, brooches and bracelets not only became symbols of refinement, but also discreetly informed the lady of the time.
The Age of Freedom — Miniaturised Watches illustrates a shift towards independence with smaller movements and jewellery watches gaining popularity. JLC’s iconic Calibre 101, the world’s smallest mechanical movement to this day, is showcased alongside other emblematic creations such as the svelte 101 Reine.
As the 20th century saw massive gains in women’s rights, the brand honoured the era with bold, sculptural pieces, reinterpreting the Reverso in feminine designs, examples of which can be found in
The Age of Emancipation — Shaped Watches.
Lastly, The Age of Leadership — Complication Watches traces JLC’s mastery of high complications for women with innovations such as the dazzling Rendez-Vous Shooting Star.
Want to learn more about watchmaking? Join a discovery workshop and live demonstration to see the production process and get hands-on experience.
Zhangyuan W7, Lane 258, Maoming North Road, Shanghai, China. Daily, 11am to 8pm.
This article first appeared on Sept 8, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
