Étourdissant Cartier: In Superior Stunning Form

The Étourdissant Cartier exhibition, presented by Cartier, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence (1965 to 2015). On display are more than 600 high jewellery include haute horlogerie (high watchmaking) and precious objets d’art (works of art). Held at the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris at the Fort Canning Arts Centre (5 Cox Terrace, Singapore 179620), this is a must-visit exhibition for those into jewellery and high-end watches. This exhibition is open to the public for one day only – on 31 October 2015 (Saturday) from 10am to 6pm. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015

The Étourdissant Cartier exhibition, presented by Cartier, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence (1965 to 2015). On display are more than 600 high jewellery include haute horlogerie (high watchmaking) and precious objets d’art (works of art). Held at the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris at the Fort Canning Arts Centre (5 Cox Terrace, Singapore 179620), this is a must-visit exhibition for those into jewellery and high-end watches. This exhibition is open to the public for one day only – on 31 October 2015 (Saturday) from 10am to 6pm. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015

Do you appreciate high jewellery, especially that from the art deco era? Well, if you happen to be in Southeast Asia, Singapore in particular on Saturday, 31 October 2015, then do make it a point to visit Étourdissant Cartier, an exhibition which features more than 600 pieces of high jewellery, haute horlogerie and precious objets d’art.

This is the only day this very special exhibition, held at the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris at the Fort Canning Arts Centre (5 Cox Terrace, Singapore 179620) is open to the public from 10am to 6pm.

The exhibition is special for a few reasons. Firstly, Étourdissant Cartier is the brand’s way of commemorating the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence.

Secondly, this exhibition marks a first for Cartier for revealing a full contemporary collection of high jewellery to the public with more than 60 pieces making their world debut in Singapore.

This must-see necklace is one of the highlights – the Etourdissant necklace. You will first be mesmerized by the sparkling diamonds. Your eyes will then be drawn to the centrepiece – the brilliant-cut D-colour internally flawless diamond of 34.96 carats (which may be a bit difficult to make out in the above image because of all the bling). There are two options for wearing this amazing necklace – with its full bling package, or by detaching the first two rows, thereby showcasing the diamond stone of 34.96 carats without any distractions. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

This must-see necklace is one of the highlights – the Etourdissant necklace. You will first be mesmerized by the sparkling diamonds. Your eyes will then be drawn to the centrepiece – the brilliant-cut D-colour internally flawless diamond of 34.96 carats (which may be a bit difficult to make out in the above image because of all the bling but observe carefully and you will be able to make out that big gemstone). There are two options for wearing this amazing necklace – with its full bling package, or by detaching the first two rows, thereby showcasing the diamond stone of 34.96 carats without any distractions. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

Thirdly, well, where else can you find such a collection of fine jewellery pieces located in one place? And gentlemen, do note, your partner may very well be more forgiving for past and future misdeeds if you bring her to view this spectacular exhibition that ranks highly in terms of international standards. Of course, the chances of being fully forgiven will be even higher if you subsequently decide to make a purchase decision that is a gift for her.

The French word étourdissant could mean “dazzling”, “astonishing”, “splendid” or even “stunning”. Regardless, the French word refers to Cartier’s high jewellery collection. Among the highlights will be its Étourdissant necklace featuring a 34.96-carat diamond that is perfectly colourless and internally flawless and the Diamas bracelet.

This is an eye-catching necklace with the extremely rare 44.47-carat cushion-shaped blue Burmese sapphire. It is believed that it could have originated from the legendary Mogok mines located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) where some of the world’s most beautiful gems have been discovered. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

Cartier Andaman necklace in platinum with a royal blue Burmese sapphire held in place with a natural 20.40-grain button pearl. This is an eye-catching necklace with the extremely rare 44.47-carat cushion-shaped blue Burmese sapphire. It is believed that it could have originated from the legendary Mogok mines located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) where some of the world’s most beautiful gems have been discovered. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

Fans of the art deco period will not be disappointed as there are many pieces inspired by jewellery styles and designs during this era.

While the ladies will be “stunned” by the jewellery pieces, we have to add that the gentlemen have not been forgotten. Do look out for the high watchmaking pieces and an amazing objet d’art – the magnetic clock that holds water and tells the time. Yes it is filled with water and even more “astonishing” is the fact that is is based on an eight-day manual-winding movement.

On display at the Étourdissant Cartier exhibition in Singapore: this very special Rotonde de Cartier Tourbillon 10-day power reserve watch in platinum. It houses the Calibre 9435 MC manual-winding movement featuring the tourbillon with 10 days of power reserve. From what we understand, this may well be a one-of-a-kind piece with the movement made by Audemars Piguet (Renaud & Papi) SA . What you see in green is not jade but aventurine. This piece comes with a price tag of around SGD1 million. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

On display at the Étourdissant Cartier exhibition in Singapore: this very special Rotonde de Cartier Tourbillon 10-day power reserve watch in platinum. It houses the Calibre 9435 MC manual-winding movement featuring the tourbillon with 10 days of power reserve. From what we understand, this may well be a one-of-a-kind piece with the movement made by Audemars Piguet (Renaud & Papi) SA . What you see in green is not jade but aventurine. This piece comes with a price tag of around SGD1 million. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

One rare timepiece that could well be a one-of-a-kind is the Rotonde de Cartier Tourbillon 10-day power reserve watch in platinum. It houses the Calibre 9435 MC manual-winding movement featuring the tourbillon with 10 days of power reserve. From what we understand, it comes with a price tag of around SGD1 million.

This exhibition is highly recommended and such an opportunity should not be missed.

Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition SBGC013: The essentials of watchmaking

Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition SBGC013. Introduced in 2015 and limited to 400 pieces. Recommended retail price: EUR10,500. Photo: © Seiko

Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition
SBGC013. Introduced in 2015 and limited to 400 pieces. Recommended retail price: EUR10,500. Photo: © Seiko

The first Grand Seiko made its debut in 1960 and since its birth fifty-five years ago, the brand has remains true to what it terms the essentials of watchmaking: precision, durability, legibility and beauty.

These are what Shinji Hattori, president and CEO of Seiko Watch Corporation deems as the essential elements of a watch.

For 2015, one anniversary timepiece commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Grand Seiko is a Spring Drive chronograph – the Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition.

Limited to 400 pieces, this Grand Seiko houses the Spring Drive Calibre 9R96 which has been specially tuned and has the accuracy of plus / minus 10 seconds a month; or plus / minus 0.5 seconds a day. This is the first essential element of watchmaking: precision.

The element of durability, as represented by the Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition, is seen with its deep black ceramic bezel. In fact, this is the very first Grand Seiko to have a ceramic bezel.

Ceramic is seven times harder than steel when compared with stainless steel on the Vickers scale. Ceramic is also 25% lighter than stainless steel, in addition to being scratch-resistant. For the Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition, its ceramic bezel is highly polished and has a super-flat mirror finish.

Legibility for any Grand Seiko is proven by its dial displays. What is interesting to note is that thus far, in addition to integrated chronographs, Grand Seiko watches only feature mini-complications like the power reserve display and second time zone indications.

There hasn’t been a Grand Seiko with a moon phase display mini complication or even high complications like tourbillons and perpetual calendars.

As for beauty, it is in the eyes of the beholder, as they say, and the deep blue dial complemented by gold tone hands on this Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition is best left to be admired and judged by potential customers at their shops. Deep blue is actually Grand Seiko’s signature colour.

The lion emblem, the symbol for Grand Seiko’s enhanced accuracy, is on the oscillating weight of the Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition SBGC013. Photo: © Seiko

The lion emblem, the symbol for Grand Seiko’s enhanced accuracy, is on the oscillating weight of the Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition SBGC013. Photo: © Seiko

Speaking of shops, given the weakness of the Japanese Yen vis-à-vis the Singapore dollar for example, we understand that price adjustments for Grand Seiko timepieces which are available at the Seiko boutiques in VivoCity and Jem shopping malls in this country have recently been made.

The Spring Drive Calibre 9R96 and the complete watch are assembled in the Shinshu Watch Studio which is a part of Seiko Epson’s Shiojiri facility and located in Shiojiri-shi, Nagano, a mountainous area in the centre of Japan.