‘Watches & Wonders’ Asia Haute Horlogerie Exhibition – 25 th – 28 th Sept 2013

1. ‘Watches & Wonders’ Asia Haute Horlogerie Exhibition – 25th – 28th Sept 2013

2. Title: Watch! Wonderful surprise! Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (a.k.a. SIHH) has been well-known as the pinnacle event for the high end watch industry which held every year in Geneva, attracts more than thousands of visitors and industry insiders to visit, having the first-hand look on the latest and exquisite pieces from world-renowned watchmakers in Europe. Just when I wondered my next chance to have a visit there in person, it seems the destiny brings that to me without travelling thousands of miles away. The ‘Watches & Wonders’ – the very first Asia Haute Horlogerie Exhibition, was held in the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in late September. With the clean & minimal interior design with white orchid decorated in all the sitting area, the venue literally filled with sophisticated European flair when entered to the main hall, exhibitors such as Cartier, Audemars Piguet were right at the prominent position that certainly guests will not miss out, further down to Roger Dubuis which featured the giant golden eagle, holding a transparent sphere with inside showcasing their latest tourbillion watch, not sure if my intuition simply told me to ‘keep moving! Too little time to see everything!’ or my curiosity, that quickly takes me to the area which all exhibited watchmakers display their expertise on their movement (yes, only the movement), I was intrigued to be invited by Mr. Adriano Toninelli, Training Manager of Officine Panerai, who flew all the way from Switzerland for this exhibition, explains the parts of their watch movement and witness the entire assembling process, to me that was absolutely fascinating, what makes me impressed is my very first time to hold a tourbillion movement on my hand that I have never been that upclose to the movement before.

3. Shortly after the movement display, another interesting booth is just right down the corridor – the watch history exhibition, showcasing the evolvement of timepieces dated back to 13th century until nowadays, looking back the precious pocket watches to the ones we use, it literally feels like walking through a time-travelling tunnel. Just when I thought I should take a little break, another two amazing booths were just right in front of me that I can’t resist: the A. Lange & Söhne booth, with the giant 1815 right in the middle of their booth, showcased their signature ‘Lange 1’ models right at the entrance; then followed by the Van Cleef & Arpels booth, showcased their high jewelry collection along with their beautiful watch pieces such as ‘Midnight in Paris’ & ‘Feerie’ from Poetic Complication collection; another noteworthy area at Van Cleef’s is the hidden ‘school’ right on the left side of the entrance – L’Ecole Van Cleef & Arpels, a small but cozy workshop that demonstrates the making of a refined high jewelry piece, I was lucky enough to watch the polishing process, from using a thin strap and sand polishers to the movement in different direction to create the shinny effect, makes me even understand the price for such an exquisite piece of jewelry requires such delicate attention, effort & time behind. I finally came to the stop at the Perrier Jouet champagne booth and having my feet rest a bit with a glass of champagne, the artistic & ‘belle epoque’ inspired setting literally refreshing my eyes after looking at so many amazing crafted watches & jewellery pieces, it is perfectly a ‘Wonderful’ surprise without going to Geneva.

4. Movement assembling & close-up on a tourbillion movement at Officine Panerai desk

5. History of watch exhibition

6. A. Lange & Sohne booth with a Lange 1 watch

7. Polishing demonstration at L’Ecole Van Cleef & Arpel in Van Cleef & Arpel booth