JeweLuxe is back, and with it, some notable names from the world of independent high horology.
With a name like JeweLuxe, discerning gentlemen can be forgiven for dismissing the event as nothing more than an emporium of bling. That is, until co-founder Nelson Lee insisted that fine watches be included in the line-up. “Otherwise, there was almost nothing for guys,” he said. With an emphasis on independent fine watchmaking, the horological offerings at the annual JeweLuxe has included award-winning creators such as Vianney Halter and Konstantin Chaykin. The two-year old event returns this year from Oct 11 to 20 at the Tent @ Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. Here, three notable names to watch out for.
01 MASAHIRO KIKUNO
At 36, Masahiro Kikuno is the youngest member of the AHCI (Academie Horlogere des Createurs Independants), a respected Swiss-based association for independent watchmakers. Working by hand and hewing as closely to traditional techniques as possible, he averages one timepiece a year. Based on traditional Japanese clocks that tell the time based on the seasons, his most notable creation is his wadokei watch, which he adjusts to each customer’s longitude and latitude.
02 VINCENT CALABRESE
Creator of timekeeping icons such as the Corum Golden Bridge and Blancpain’s tourbillon and carrousel wristwatches, Swiss-based Italian watchmaker Vincent Calabrese makes his JeweLuxe debut this year. The co-founder of the AHCI will showcase his own statement pieces, such as the Ottica watch, which has a dial that seems to disappear when viewed at certain angles; and timepieces featuring movements built around a single customisable letter or symbol.
03 SVEND ANDERSEN
Watchmaking veteran and automatonmaking pro Svend Andersen – the founder of Andersen Geneve – is best known for his Eros watches that feature naughty automata on their backs. Andersen will appear at JeweLuxe for the first time, along with event regular Konstantin Chaykin. Their collaborative timepiece, the Automaton Joker, features both brands’ logos on a dial depicting Chaykin’s signature clown face. Riffing on designs by both watchmakers, the back of the watch features an animated poker-playing tableau, with players including the Joker and a dog.
TEXT LYNETTE KOH
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