Swiss Luxe, Singapore Style

Three famous brands launch special editions for an Asian retailer.

Eminent watch manufacturers have a long tradition of making special models for the world's favorite retailers. Just think Audemars Piguet for Gobbi Milano, Patek Philippe for the Venezuelan luxury watch retailer Serpico y Laino, Omega for Türler Jewelry & Watches in Zürich etc.

These watches offer a geography lesson — they tell us about the countries and continents where Swiss watchmakers' main client base was located in one era or another. The focus of Swiss watchmakers has now shifted from Europe and America to Asia.

Special editions are being launched by Laurent Ferrier, Greubel Forsey and Lang & Heyne, available exclusively at the SHH Boutique of Singapore's oldest luxury watch retailer, Sincere Fine Watches.

It's a very interesting selection of watches: an ultra-modern piece by Greubel Forsey, Saxon geometry by Lang & Heyne and a sleek classic by Laurent Ferrier. Laurent Ferrier has created a new Singapore version of the Classic Origin first launched in 2020 for the brand's 10th anniversary.

This isn't the first time the brand has surprised fans of quaint shades. The Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin SHH Edition builds on the traditions of the Classic Traveler Magnetic Green, it's just slightly different now — more of a minty shade of green. Its 40-mm case is made of polished titanium. Encased inside is the hand-wound caliber LF 116.01.

The watch by Greubel Forsey has a completely different look: this version of the Double Balancier Convexe with twin balance wheels linked by a differential has been given an unexpected splash of color.

Details in the movement and a range of dial elements have turned purple. It's interesting to note that a similar shade was recently chosen by Urwerk for their violet-purple UR-100V. The Singapore edition also features autographs by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey on the watch's caseback.

The Lang & Heyne Georg SHH Edition has a rectangular case in rose gold measuring 40 mm × 32 mm. The German watchmakers fitted it with an unconventional dial, where ceramic scales on alternating planes stand out against a deep blue background with a "frosted" finish.

But the lead role is played by Caliber VIII in this model — a movement with a range of integrated steel bridges, an openworked gear train and balance wheel with gold screws.