Fortis Spacematic: Afterglow after lights out

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Fortis Spacematic with a white dial and textile strap. Photo: © Fortis

Fortis Spacematic with a white dial and textile strap. Photo: © Fortis

Not only do the entry-level Fortis Spacematics feature three-hand timepieces with the day and date displays, they also offer legible luminescence in darkness.

The Fortis Spacematic with the white dial in particular, has its entire dial coated with SuperLuminova but not the Arabic hour numerals and hour indexes, the hour and minute hands, and the continuous sweep seconds hand.

Once “charged” by light, the dial emits a nice blue afterglow in total darkness, offering a highly legible time-telling capability.

Fortis Spacematic with a white dial (Reference: 623.10.42). It features the day and date displays and comes in a 40mm diameter brushed steel case. It is water-resistant to 100m (10 bar). In darkness, the white dial coated with SuperLuminova emits a blue afterglow in darkness. This newer version replaces reference 623.22.42. It is reasonably-priced at SGD1,650 / MYR4,040 or around US$1,300 / 990 euros / CHF1,200. Photo: © Fortis

Fortis Spacematic with a white dial (Reference: 623.10.42). It features the day and date displays and comes in a 40mm diameter brushed steel case. It is water-resistant to 100m (10 bar). In darkness, the white dial coated with SuperLuminova emits a blue afterglow in darkness. This newer version replaces reference 623.22.42. It is reasonably-priced at SGD1,650 / MYR4,040 or around US$1,300 / 990 euros / CHF1,200. Note: prices may differ and are approximate. Photo: © Fortis

The Fortis Spacematic with the black dial has SuperLuminova coated on the Arabic hour numerals and hour indexes, and the hour and minute hands. The time-telling capability is therefore more conventional in the dark.

Fortis Spacematic with a black dial (Reference: 623.10.41). It features the day and date displays and comes in a 40mm diameter brushed steel case. It is water-resistant to 100m (10 bar). This version replaces reference 623.22.42. Priced at SGD1,650 / MYR4,040 or around US$1,300 / 990 euros / CHF1,200. Photo: © Fortis

Fortis Spacematic with a black dial (Reference: 623.10.41). It features the day and date displays and comes in a 40mm diameter brushed steel case. It is water-resistant to 100m (10 bar). This version replaces reference 623.22.42. Priced at SGD1,650 / MYR4,040 or around US$1,300 / 990 euros / CHF1,200. Note: prices may differ and are approximate. Photo: © Fortis

The Spacematics shown here replace similar ones introduced in 2011 / 2012.
Unlike the previous Spacematics, these two new versions do not come with crown guards.

Arbutus “Singapore Heritage” Commemorative watches: Elmo’s World

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The Arbutus “Chek Jawa Batik” is part of the brand’s “Singapore Heritage” Commemorative watches featuring dials hand-painted by Elmo Chung of Hong Kong. Priced at SGD1,800 (Singapore dollars), this “Chek Jawa” hand-painted dial is inspired by batik prints and Chek Jawa. Chek Jawa is a rich ecosystem located on Pulau Ubin, one of Singapore’s islands. The original Arbutus dial had a mother-of-pearl finishing. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014

The Arbutus “Chek Jawa Batik” is part of the brand’s “Singapore Heritage” Commemorative watches featuring dials hand-painted by Elmo Chung of Hong Kong. Priced at SGD1,800 (Singapore dollars), this “Chek Jawa” hand-painted dial is inspired by batik prints and Chek Jawa. Chek Jawa is a rich ecosystem located on Pulau Ubin, one of Singapore’s islands. The original Arbutus dial had a mother-of-pearl finishing. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014

Have you heard of branded seashells? Well, Hong Kong-based Elmo Chung Ka Yan, a self-taught artist specialising in miniature paintings on seashells, created her own brand, “She Saw Seashells” in 2012.

Based in Tai O on Lantau Island, Chung left her city job to become a dessert chef on the fishing village that is built on stilts. It is here that the 25-year old Chung collects, cleans, colours and coats the seashells which are then offered for sale.

Elmo Chung, founder of “She Saw Seashells”. This young, self-taught artist is behind the hand-painted artwork on the dials of the Arbutus “Singapore Heritage” Commemorative timepieces. Photo courtesy of Crystal Time

Elmo Chung, founder of “She Saw Seashells”. This young, self-taught artist is behind the hand-painted artwork on the dials of the Arbutus “Singapore Heritage” Commemorative timepieces. Photo courtesy of Crystal Time

Her “seashells” have “travelled” 2,600 kilometres (1,600 miles) from Hong Kong to Singapore as Crystal Time, a watch distributor headquartered in Singapore and responsible for Arbutus watches in this part of the world, is offering Chung’s artwork featured on its watch dials (instead of shells) as part of commemorative editions that are meant to celebrate Singapore’s 50th year of independence in 2015 (1965 to 2015).

Known as the Arbutus “Singapore Heritage” Commemorative timepieces, the collection features Chung’s hand-painted work with themes related to the country’s heritage such as batik, Peranakan porcelain, Chek Jawa’s flora and fauna (Chek Jawa is a rich ecosystem located on Pulau Ubin, one of Singapore’s islands) and the Istana (the official residence of the country’s President).

Among Chung’s featured artworks is the Arbutus “Chek Jawa Batik” watch which has batik and seashell motifs. The original dial had a mother-of-pearl finish.

All proceeds from the sales of the Arbutus Singapore Heritage Commemorative watches will be donated to The Little Arts Academy, a company offering dance, music, theatre and visual arts, notably to disadvantaged children. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014

All proceeds from the sales of the Arbutus Singapore Heritage Commemorative watches will be donated to The Little Arts Academy, a company offering dance, music, theatre and visual arts, notably to disadvantaged children. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014

According to Crystal Time, there will be five more timepieces and all proceeds from the sales of the Arbutus Singapore Heritage Commemorative watches will be donated to The Little Arts Academy, a company offering dance, music, theatre and visual arts, notably to disadvantaged children.

The Little Arts Academy is managed by The RICE Company Limited, a non-profit organisation.