Press Conference: TEMPUS - The Temple of Time

[KokChoon]

The Hour Glass Ltd (based in Singapore) held a press conference earlier today (Wednesday, 6th June 2007) at 10:30AM at the Casuarina Suite of the famous Raffles Hotel.

The Raffles Hotel

Today, Mr. Michael Tay (Executive Director of The Hour Glass Ltd.) announced the return of its award winning watch festival - TEMPUS. This is the second installation of Asia's largest watch event, which was first held in 2004. To be held at the Raffles City Convention Centre from 5th - 9th September 2007, the 5-day event will see more than 60 participating exhibitors plus a multitude of activities such as watch-making classes, gem appreciation workshops and discussion forums and talks.

“TEMPUS was conceived with a mission of empowering consumers through education, advocating a highly tactile and interactive approach towards watch retailing hence creating a culture that is inclusive and inspirational” noted Michael.

Michael Tay, Executive Director of The Hour Glass Ltd.

TEMPUS - The Temple of Time, which is estimated to cost more than S$2.5 million to stage, and will see new additions to the list of events featured, and participating organizations including Antiquorum and the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.


Below is the official press release of the Press Conference this morning:


PRESS RELEASE

TEMPUS – THE TEMPLE OF TIME
Setting the World Stage for a New Revolution in the Movement to Contemporary Horological Art

- Exclusive global launch pad for 2007 world premieres by Richard Mille, Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk
- Seven watchmaking houses present the TEMPUS ALL BLACK commemorative editions
- Only South East Asian stop for the prestigious Antiquorum Only Watch! exhibition
- New perspectives into the world of Swiss mechanical art, with the inclusion of Android Automatons by Francois Junod and luxury musical box manufacturer Reuge
- First-ever showcase of Argyle Pink Diamond Tender Preview in Singapore

SINGAPORE, 6 June 2007: The Hour Glass set the clock ticking faster as it revealed more insights into its award-winning watch festival, TEMPUS – The Temple of Time. Set to create a new revolution in the watch world come 5th to 9th September, The Hour Glass has shifted TEMPUS into high gear in its persistent advocacy for the global movement of contemporary horological art.

Promising a second installment of unprecedented magnitude, TEMPUS – The Temple of Time has assembled close to double the number of exhibitors, compared to its inaugural show in 2004 – TEMPUS – The Great Watchscapade. More than 55 brands and trade partners, together with over S$150 million worth of timekeepers, will greet the thousands of visitors expected at the five-day event, estimated to cost over S$2.5-million to produce. TEMPUS – The Temple of Time will be held at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore.

TEMPUS – The Temple of Time will bring a luxurious feast of multiple world-firsts and highly innovative watch premieres to captivate connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike: One-of-a-kind exhibits from Antiquorum’s Only Watch 2007 Auction, magical wonders of mechanical music by Reuge, the unveiling of the world’s first Museum of Contemporary Horological Art (MOCHA), a tender preview of the finest and rarest Argyle pink diamonds, intriguing CEO plenary sessions and watchmaking workshops by Jaeger-LeCoultre and Glashutte Original, a fascinating exhibition of 400-Day-old torsion clocks, multiple world premieres of 2007 novelties by highly reputed houses such as Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk including a S$4.0 million masterpiece by Richard Mille, special TEMPUS commemorative editions, ¬and a photohorology competition to cap it. Demonstrations by master artisans such as Bulgari’s dial-engraver, fine movement hand finishing by Audemars Piguet, and DeLaneau’s miniature high-fired enamelling will also provide visitors with first-hand experience of the art and craft of fine watchmaking.

“We are elated by the tremendous show of support by our brand partners, global media and clients; and what we have revealed so far is only a peek into the exciting world of TEMPUS – The Temple of Time. The Hour Glass fundamentally believes that this second installment of TEMPUS will propel the movement of contemporary horological art forward, sparking a new revolution in global watch culture and consciousness,” said Michael Tay, Executive Director of The Hour Glass.

Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and the watch industry's top trade organisations, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie and the Federation Horlogere Suisse, as well as members of the Academie Horlogere des Createurs Independants and Time Aeon, TEMPUS - The Temple of Time will be part of a lavish line-up of exclusive events offered under A Luxe Affair, Singapore's premium lifestyle season this September and October.

Mr. S. Iswaran, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Singapore, will be the guest-of-honour officiating the opening of the five-day mega watch event.

Antiquorum ONLY WATCH 2007

The world’s largest specialist watch auctioneer, Antiquorum, partners The Hour Glass to showcase 35 one-of-a-kind masterpieces that combine rarity and exclusive know-how, commissioned by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. TEMPUS – The Temple of Time will be the only Southeast Asian stop of this worldwide tour, which includes New York and Geneva. The most prestigious names in the watchmaking world including Patek Philippe, Harry Winston, Richard Mille, De Bethune, Ulysse Nardin and Louis Vuitton, have donated a unique piece to raise funds for the research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy cause. The collection will be auctioned in Monaco in late September.

Rio Tinto Diamonds - Argyle Pink Diamond Tender Preview

Witness for the first time in Singapore, the showcase of Rio Tinto Diamonds annual Argyle Pink Diamond Tender at Glajz Collection Privēe. Be dazzled as the alluring beauty of 65 of the rarest and most exceptional pink diamonds from the remote north of Western Australia envelopes you. Slated to be sold later this year by special tender, these precious Argyle Signature Stones represent the finest and rarest collection offered in the world. A magnificent collection of fine jewellery created around the unique beauty and colour of these diamonds will also be exhibited.
Reuge – A dynasty dedicated to the magical wonders of mechanical music

Celebrating the art of mechanical music since the 14th century, Reuge will be presenting breathtaking pieces at TEMPUS – The Temple of Time. Be enthralled by the precision and sweet serenades from singing birds including the exquisite Emperor’s Nightingale, which will be exhibited for the first time in Singapore. Witness an extensive range of palm-sized musical boxes and table-sized stand-alone creations from the masters of musical mechanical art.

The TEMPUS All-Black Commemorative Collection

The Hour Glass presents eight All Black themed commemorative editions created to symbolise a unification of modernity, class and innovation. Be transfixed with these rare creations all poised to intoxicate the hearts of watch cognoscente the world over.
(Refer to note to editors.)

PhotoHorology Competition

Participate in the TEMPUS Photohorology Competition and articulate time through the lenses. From 15th May to 31st July, members of the public are invited to share their point of view on time in two categories and themes - ‘The Watch’ and ‘Conceptualising Time’. Winners will have the opportunity to have their works displayed at TEMPUS – The Temple of Time, published in leading watch publication Revolution, and win SINN watches and top-of-the-range Canon cameras. For more details, log on to the official website of TEMPUS – The Temple of Time at www.thehourglass.com

CEO Forums & Plenary Sessions – Insights from Industry Insiders

Chaired by industry movers and shakers, including Thierry Stern from Patek Philippe, Jean Claude Biver from Hublot and George Henri Meylan from Audemars Piguet, these sessions will transport the audience directly into the little known world of haute horology, providing valuable industry insights and industry trends. Set to trigger debates on current topics and issues in world of the watchmaking, the sessions include talks and discussions on: “The Naked Truth – Behind the Evolution of the In-house Watch Movement and the Value and Utilisation of New Material Components in Watchmaking”, “21st Century Watch Design – Influences from Pop Culture and Urban Industrial Design” and “The Birth of Contemporary Horological Art – Implications for the Watch Industry”.

Technical Artistry – Watchmaking is not as simple as it seems

Peek into a watchmaker’s atelier and be enthralled with the live manifestations of technical artistry by some of the world’s most respected watch-making houses. Unusual sessions include a live demonstration of miniature high-fired enameling by DeLaneau and dial-engraving by Bulgari.

- Dial-engraving by Bulgari
Come witness the live demonstration by the Master Dial Engraver from Bulgari as he chisels a new look on five different gold dials to create five exceptional watches, all of which will be available for sale at TEMPUS – The Temple of Time.

- Miniature High-fire Enamelling by DeLaneau
Termed as “The Geneva Technique”, this traditional 17th century skill delivers a remarkable work of art that requires dexterous fingers able to command intricate detailing. Witness one of only five master artisans in the world who is skilled in this fine craft.

World Premiere Presentation of the Richard Mille Planetarium-Tellurium

Be whisked back into a time when horology was fused with astronomy, mathematics and workmanship to create time-telling wonders. Richard Mille pays tribute to this period by unveiling for the first time ever the large clockwork driven Planetarium-Tellurium at TEMPUS – The Temple of Time. The most accurate of its kind ever made and taking seven years to develop, this creation marries completely new calculations with new solutions of complex gearing and a detent chronometer escapement.

End

That's the press release and I will follow up with some more photos and write-ups later tonight.

Cheers
KokChoon

[teckmeng]

looking forward the follow up....

cheers
teckmeng

[Andrew]

Wow! Thanks for sharing the update.

[chwong]

Kok Choon

thanks for the update! the All Black collection sounds interesting!

cheers
Chee Hoong

[ohlins]

wonderful....!

it was also featured during the news at 7 pm channel 8....

[dereklpy]

thanks KokChoon, all black.... yummy...

looking forward for your pics n write-ups

cheers
derek

[Stefano]

Thanks Kok Choon. It's gearing up to an amazing event!

[Monochrome]

I was checking the Hour Glass website and saw several pictures of watch... in PVD black! Now i read in the press release that there will be 8 new black limited editions and these are the ones i see on the HG website:
- Anonimo
- Corum
- JLC Tourbillion
- Sinn U1
- TAG Heuer Carrera 360
... will this be the new TEMPUS LE for this year? And which ones do i miss in this list?

[KokChoon]

Looks like many of you can read my mind as I was preparing to give you more details on the TEMPUS All-Black Commemorative Collection.

Big and Black is the IN thing now for the watch industry, especially on Men's Sport watches. Just look at the number of black (be it PVD coated, Ceramic, carbonized, etc..) colored watches available in the market today! Therefore, it is not unimaginable that The Hour Glass has chosen this All-Black theme to commemorate the second edtion of the TEMPUS!

This year’s TEMPUS features outstanding pieces by seven brands, this year’s theme focuses on the design and materials used to create this series. Watch enthusiasts can marvel the different textures of the monochrome colour apparent in the finished products.

The seven brands, which will be constructing All-Black piece/s from their signature collection, are Audemars Piguet, De Bethune, Hublot, Jaeger Le-Coultre, Richard Mille, SINN and TAG Heuer.

AUDEMARS PIGUET MC12 All Black

Hot on the heels of the Audemars Piguet’s world-famous, Maseratic MC 12 roadcar inspired timepiece, comes the limited edition Black Millenary MC12 Tourbillon and chronograph. A gripping reinterpretation of its predecessor’s powerful engineering and aesthetics, it comes with a luxurious black platinum case, which contrasts strikingly with red anodised aluminium bridges and red stitching on black crocodile leather strap. A transparent sapphire crystal caseback adds a touch of elegance to its ferocious façade and allows an unobstructed appreciation of the watch¹s exceptionally precise movement.

Available quantity: One unique piece


DE BETHUNE Big Power All Black

Power has never been more alluring. De Bethune’s Big Power is a technical triumph and a beauty to behold. Donning a sportive look, it features the DB22 movement of the De Bethune “Power” series, with a patented new function which allows the speed’s regulation of the winding system through the crown in the middle position. Set it in standard position for a quiet motion or in sport position for an active response.

Available quantity: 10 pieces


HUBLOT Bigger Bang All Black

A prime example of Hublot’s forte in combining Swiss tradition with 21st century watchmaking technologies, the Bigger Bang is the world’s first Tourbillon Column-Wheel Chronograph with direct coupling on a flying tourbillon. A technical triumph and a ultimate status symbol, it is fitted with 33 rubies, a circular-grained right bottom plated decorated in black gold, topped by extremely unique bridgework.

Available quantity: 5 pieces


HUBLOT Big Bang All Black

As its name implies, the Hublot “Big Bang” chronograph is all about power. Distinguishable by its impressively proportioned 44.5mm case, crafted entirely in black ceramic with alternating brushed and polished finishes, it is a powerful statement of top-notching engineering, exacting craftsmanship and inimitable style.

Available quantity: 50 pieces


JAEGER-LECOULTRE Gyrotourbillon All Black

In the wake of the phenomenal success of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Gyrotourbillon series, the limited edition Gyrotourbillon is set to capture the heart of the most discerning collector. Featuring a unique case made of 18k yellow gold covered in black with a stunning black dial, this rare object of desire boasts a spherical tourbillon, equation of time, perpetual calendar, date/month/year retrograde indication and even comes with an eight-day power reserve!

Available quantity: 3 pieces


RICHARD MILLE RM16

Embodying to perfection the hallmarks of Richard Mille's horological genius, this breathtaking masterpiece is the most eloquent expression of the master’s impeccable craftsmanship and provocative design. Encased in special micro-sandblasted, titanium, it features skeletonised automatic winding movement with hours, minutes, date and adjustable rotor geometry. This exclusive design allows the wearer to optimise and personalise the movement¹s winding mechanism to suit both sporting and non-sporting environments.

(Sorry, picture not available at this moment)

Available quantity: 10 pieces


SINN U1

If your life depended on it, the slightest margin for error is inadmissible. Introducing the Sinn U Series diver’s watch! A technical marvel of unprecedented reliability, it features an exceptionally sturdy case made of German submarine steel, unparalleled in its remarkable resistance to seawater and anti-magnetic quality. The rotating bezel’s minute scale for dive time reading is milled directly into the steel to guarantee safety, illegibility and accuracy. Tested by Germanischer Lloyd, the global authority in pressure testing of submarines, the Sinn U Series is the ultimate indispensable equipment for professionals and sports divers.

Available quantity: 250 pieces


TAG HEUER Carrera Calibre 360 All Black

Delirious speed and ultra-precise engineering on your wrist – that’s the Carrera Calibre 360 PVD distinction. The world’s first ever 1/100th mechanical wrist chronograph, it features movement 10 times faster than the fastest movement in any watch. This technical wizardry is contained within a massive steel case with domed sapphire crystal, making it that much more desirable.

Available quantity: 10 pieces

__________________________________________________ ___________

Due to the very limited number of pieces available, members who are interested in any of the pieces above should book with their favorite retail store or salesperson as soon as possible. Should you need any help if you are from overseas, you can visit the Hour Glass web-site or write to me in private email for further details.

I would alos like to urge those who are interested to attend the event to register early and to sign up for the respective classes/seminars/talks as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.

Cheers

[rywwong]

Thanks Kok choon for the report and the pictures of the All Black line-up.

[teckmeng]

.... i am fan of the all black...

thanks kok choon...

cheers
teckmeng

[SteveW]

Wow wow wowee!!! The all black line-up sure is something that is having my jaw gaping quite a bit. I don't suppose they take really small monthly payments, do they? Thanks for the update, september can't come soon enough.

[stevetse]

Can't weat to se the live photos.

WBR

Steve Tse

[jimsbk]

Now I better block out the dates and start saving. Cheers, Jim

[vlim]

I'm really looking forward to this.

Cheers,
Vernon

[damien]

Wow! Thanks Kok Choon.

What a lineup! The Gyrotourbillon looks like a different watch in black. Any idea about how the coating is done for each model, especially the U1 since that may negate the submarine metal hardness?

[Evo900]

I'm also a fan of black pieces. The Sinn U1 looks nice! Hope to see these pieces in Tempus. Thanks for the report Kok Choon.

[Monochrome]

Thanx for the information KokChoon!! There are some awesome pieces and the JLC tourby in black is highly appealing! What a stunning beauty!

[watchculture]

Thanks for the news update Kok Choon. Kudos to The Hour Glass and Mike for a repeat of the biggest watch event in Singapore! Wish it's Sept now
BTW Black is Beautiful, can't wait to see it live ..

[Seize]

The line-up of the blacked out watches are awesome!