JeweLuxe Singapore returns for another year of dazzling creations, this time taking place across a series of pop-up venues located island-wide. While the event is lauded for its showcase of luxurious jewellery brands, it also boasts an enviable collection of timepieces. We cast our eyes over some of the more promising collections making their appearances this year at JeweLuxe Singapore’s Watch Wonderland venue.
Ophion OPH 786 Vélos
Arriving behind the celebration of Singapore’s 55th National Day is Ophion’s OPH 786 Vélos. This limited-edition series is available in two examples: Salmon Red and Radial Red. The former offers up plenty of eye-catching contrast, by way of its salmon guilloché dial, thermal-blued indices and handset, and a crimson 12-hour marker. Meanwhile, the Radial Red blazes with its sunray-finished dial, cast entirely in red (of course). Ophion has leveraged on renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen’s expertise for the casework; the teardrop lugs feature an invisible weld and the overall finishing is simply beyond reproach.
Singer Reimagined Track 1
Automotive-inspired timepieces are a common sight in the watchmaking world, but how many can boast a legacy in actual vehicle design? As one can imagine, redesigning the venerable Porsche 911 takes more than a fair amount of skill (and guts). Having Singer Reimagined channel that same level of energy and creativity towards horology is all but awe-inspiring, as evidenced by the Track 1 collection. The concept of the Track 1 debuted at the GPHG 2020 and features a novel approach to automatic chronographs: complication first, time-telling second. From the get-go, the Track 1 lets its chronograph function take centre stage, with the majority of the dial elements existing in service of tracking elapsed time. A distinctly “pure” chronograph, if there ever was one.
Reservoir Hydrosphere
Dive watches are another horological mainstay and are often viewed as paragons of reliability and robustness. That being said, by no means do they have to abide by restrictive and dated design codes. Reservoir’s Hydrosphere collection is undeniably geared towards aquatic exploration. From its oxygen gauge-inspired dial readout to the dual-scale dive-decompression bezel, the Hydrosphere’s raison d’être is on full display. Complementing these seaworthy features are a helium release valve, rubber-coated crown and 250-metre water resistance.
Laco Frankfurt GMT
The German brand is revered as one of the five original manufacturers of the iconic “Flieger” aviator watches, alongside A. Lange & Söhne, IWC, Stowa and Wempe. Since its restart in 2010, Laco has produced a collection of sturdy and well-priced timepieces, paying tribute to its pilot watch legacy and re-dedicating itself to handcraft. Of recent note is the brand’s first GMT offering: the Laco Frankfurt GMT. Available in two dial colours (the black “Schwarz” and grey “Grau”), the Frankfurt GMT combines the popular traveller’s complication with the legibility associated with pilot watches. The result is a well-designed testament to versatility and functionality.
Gorilla Watches Outlaw Drift
Fans of Gorilla Watches are usually quick to explain the aesthetic familiarity of its timepieces; brand founders Octavio Garcia and Lukas Gopp are respectively the former design chief and senior designer of Audemars Piguet. Gorilla Watches focuses on the radical and the rare. As such, production number are always limited and an emphasis on the technical is typically assured. The Outlaw Drift is the latest embodiment of this approach. Limited to 250 examples, this timepiece features a titanium case with matching interlocked bezel and a wandering hour complication.