Singapore Watch Fair 2023 partners Asia’s premium lifestyle destination Resorts World Sentosa

“The Essence of Time Museum” targets admirers of horological craftsmanship

SINGAPORE, August 29, 2023 – UltraLuxe welcomes Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Asia’s premium award-winning lifestyle destination resort, as presenting partner of Singapore Watch Fair (SWF). From 18-21 October 2023, visitors to the most prestigious consumer watch fair in Asia can expect a panorama of savoir-faire from 20 brands and independent watchmakers such as Cultured Watch, Sartory Billard, Ludovic Ballouard, L’Epée 1839, LANG 1943, Zehua Tan and 2ToneVintage Watches. SWF is set to unveil a treasure trove of exquisite timepieces valued at US $25 million. Among these horological marvels, the Ludovic Ballouard UD Osmium is a showstopper, made from the rarest precious metal on Earth – osmium and highly sought after for its distinctive upside-down numbers crafted meticulously from onyx. The event, which is part of UltraLuxe 2023, is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Rockstar collectors Sandro Fratini and Ali Nael, in collaboration with FutureGrail, will unveil The Essence of Time Museum. This extraordinary collection features rare and historical timepieces alongside limited edition watches with the best in enamel art from Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Rolex. Curated by horological multi-hyphenate Arnaud Tellier who was the former Director and Curator of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and FutureGrail’s key advisor, watch collectors will gain deeper appreciation for what it takes to build an investment-grade collection.

For collectors seeking to get an insight of the upcoming November auction, Christie’s Hong Kong will host a preview of their Autumn Auction.

Prominent voices in the industry such as TickTock Belles, Dubai Watch Club Girls and Kuwait Watch Club Ladies have joined forces to unite female horological experts and champion the movement of watch collecting for women.

SWF’s Talking Time panel sessions will delve into the world of horology with insights from top watchmakers, esteemed horological experts, and renowned collectors such as Gary Getz, Sandro Fratini, and Dr. Bernard Cheong. Explore the ascent of luxury watches as alternative assets in a dialogue session presented by AXA, and witness Asia’s finest watchmakers, Atelier Wen and Zehua Tan, discuss the “Rise of Chinese Watchmaking” in the realm of timekeeping and luxury.

Ludovic Ballouard UD Osmium

FutureGrail: Breguet pocket watch made in Geneva, circa 1830

Nelson Lee, the Founder & Festival Director of Singapore Watch Fair said, “Our unparalleled curation ensures that watch enthusiasts are treated to a collection of unique timepieces. These watchmakers take time out of their busy schedules to join us in Singapore for this annual event, where they personally present their craft and stories – an invaluable experience that we are proud to offer. We are thrilled to partner with Resorts World Sentosa, a world-class venue that aligns with our commitment to craftsmanship and unforgettable experiences.”

Chang Chee Pey, Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer, RWS, said, “Luxury timepiece appreciation and collection has a strong appeal for both Singaporeans and tourists. Over five days in October, Resorts World Sentosa will host watch collectors, retailers, and industry professionals from around the world who will gather to share their horological passions in a series of curated lifestyle events amidst the exclusive setting of Equarius Hotel. The Singapore Watch Fair is part of RWS’ year-round vibrant and thematic offerings that also include Michelin-starred dining and world class attractions”.

UltraLuxe’s mission is to redefine luxury by uniting niche brands and discerning shoppers in a first-of-its-kind lifestyle social festival. Singapore Watch Fair, presenting partner Resorts World Sentosa, Official Logistics Partner Malca-Amit, Official Insurance Partner AXA, are all part of the movement supporting the concept of “purpose-focused” luxury that promotes community, culture and sustainability.

Organised by A&N Luxury, the Singapore Watch Fair serves as the ultimate platform for fostering connections between discerning collectors and visionary watchmakers.

Singapore Watch Fair (18 -21 October 2023)

Venue: Equarius Hotel, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Opening Hours: 12pm to 8pm

More info: www.SingaporeWatchFair.com

Annex A

Day 1: Wednesday, 18 October

Session 1

5.00pm-6.00pm – The Relevance of Singapore Watch Fair

Ali Nael Founder of SWF/ FutureGrail, Nelson Lee, SWF Founder and Festival Director and Global Watch Collector Gary Getz convene to discuss the profound significance of the Singapore Watch Fair to set the pace for industry trends. Discover how SWF fosters innovation, and brings together a global community of watch enthusiasts

Venue: Equarius Ballroom

Speakers:

Ali Nael, Founder of FutureGrail and SWF
Gary Getz, Global Watch Collector
Nelson Lee, Founder and Festival Director of SWF

Session 2

6.00pm-7.00pm – Who’s Your Master

Gary Getz will dive into the stories of revered masters who have inspired a new generation of watchmakers to follow in their footsteps. Gain insights into the intimate relationship between watchmakers and their craft, and learn more about the luminaries that have left an indelible mark on the world of horology.

Venue: Equarius Ballroom

Speakers:

Gary Getz, Global Watch Collector

Day 2: Thursday, 19 October

Session 3

5.00pm-6.00pm – New Technologies and Tools in Professional Watchmaking Education of the XXI Century

Marc André Deschoux the host of WatchesTV and the Horopedia Foundation, which is the online encyclopaedia on watchmaking , presents a journey into the evolving landscape of watchmaking education. Delve into the technological advancements and tools that are shaping the education of future watchmakers.

Venue: Equarius Ballroom

Speakers:

Marc André Deschoux, Founder of WatchesTV and Horopedia Foundation

Session 4

6.00pm-7.00pm – Rise of Chinese Watchmaking

Moderated by QP Magazine, Artelier Wen and Tan Zehua discuss the renaissance of Chinese watchmaking. Explore how a blend of heritage and innovation has propelled Chinese watchmakers to the forefront of the luxury watch industry.

Venue: Equarius Ballroom

Speakers:

Wilfried Buiron of Atelier Wen
Zehua Tan of Tan Zehua

Day 3: Friday, 20 October

Session 5

5.00pm-6.00pm – Rise of Alternative Asset (Presented by AXA)

Join Ali Nael, CEO, and Mohsin Rizvi, COO of FutureGrail and Sylvie Gleises, CEO of Singapore AXA XL in exploring alternative assets within the watch industry. Gain insights into the shifting dynamics of horological investments and the growing prominence of alternative assets

Venue: Equarius Ballroom

Speakers:

Ali Nael, CEO of FutureGrail / Founder of SWF
Mohsin Rizvi, COO of FutureGrail
Sylvie Gleises, CEO of Singapore AXA XL

Session 6

6.00pm -7.00pm – Big Vs Small: Navigating the Watchmaking Landscape

A captivating discussion, “Exploring Horizons,” will transcend the boundaries of watchmaking by uniting representatives from both ends of the spectrum – established powerhouses and nimble independents – under one roof at Singapore Watch Fair on 20th October. The discourse will delve into the nuanced interplay of advantages and disadvantages inherent to each, sparking an insightful dialogue about priorities, resources, market image, and customer engagement.

The event gathers a diverse panel of horological trailblazers, ranging from illustrious giants to boundary-pushing independents. Icons of innovation, such as H.Moser & Cie. and MB&F, straddle the lines between tradition and audacity. Alongside them, titans like Cartier and Ulysse Nardin bring decades of legacy and global recognition to the table.

Participants will candidly unravel the intricacies of their pursuits, exploring the contrasting motivations that guide their paths. Topics will cover questions on resources and creativity, the subtle balance between the time-honored heritage and audacious experimentation, and the different strategies employed to engage customers in an ever-evolving market.

Join Gary Getz, global watch collector, and Georg Bartkowiak, CEO of LANG 1943 and WatchesTV in a thought-provoking dialogue on the comparison between major watch brands and independent watchmakers. Uncover the unique strengths, challenges, and innovations that define both realms.

Venue: Equarius Ballroom

Speakers:

Armand Billard of Satory Billard
Gary Getz, Global Watch Collector
Georg Bartkowiak, CEO of LANG 1943
Ludovic Ballouard of Ludovic Billard
WatchesTV

Day 4: Saturday, 21 October

Session 7

5.00pm-6.00pm – Rise of Female Watch Collecting: Insights from the Middle East

TickTockBelles collaborates with Dubai Watch Club Girls and Kuwait Watch Club Ladies to shed light on the flourishing trend of female watch collecting. Gain unique insights from the Middle East perspective.

Venue: Equarius Ballroom

Speakers:

Aisha Alsh, Founder of Dubai Watch Club Girls
Anwar Alyousef, Founder of Kuwait Watch Club Ladies (KWCL)
Deborah Wong, Co-Founder of TickTockBelles
Stephanie Soh, Co-Founder of TickTockBelles

Session 8

5:00pm – 6:00pm: Let’s Talk Clocks
Prepare to be spellbound as the eminent artisans from the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) Sinclair Harding, Matthias Naeschke and L’epee 1839 unveil their masterpieces of timekeeping. Delve into the behind-the-scenes world of innovative and traditional clockmaking, where timekeeping transcends its functional purpose and becomes a true form of art. Expect a captivating dialogue about the future of horological mastery in the era of digital technologies.

Venue: Saffron Room

Speakers: