A CUT ABOVE

TRADITIONAL YET UNCOMMON ENOUGH TO STAND OUT, TONNEAU - SHAPED TIMEPIECES MAKE A TASTEFULLY STRIKING STATEMENT.

FINE LEGACY

The Breguet Heritage Chronograph blends traditional styling with sporty verve: Roman numerals and an engraved silvered gold dial make a classical background for dynamic chronograph totalisers. Measuring 42mm by 35mm, this rose gold watch is powered by an automatic movement.

MEASURE UP

Chopard’s L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru stands out with its distinctive shape – a shorter, more compact version of the tonneau (French for barrel). The rose gold dress watch features a classical dial aesthetic, with Roman numerals and small seconds set against a spare white background.

MAIN DRAW

The brand that took the tonneau form from classical to cutting edge, Richard Mille specialises in timepieces that look avant-garde even when they do nothing more complicated than tell the time and date. This is reaffirmed by the RM 29 automatic in red gold, which measures 48mm by 39.7mm.

MAKE THE CUT

Launched in 2003, the Evidenza collection by Longines was inspired by a watch that the late screen icon Humphrey Bogart owned in the 1940s. Today, pieces like this pink gold automatic, which has restrained dimensions of 38.75mm by 33.10mm, winsomely continue this Art Deco-inspired legacy.

MODERN MIX

Unexpected fusions are Hublot’s calling card, and that quality is evident in the Spirit of Big Bang shown here. Measuring an imposing 45mm in length, its tonneau-shaped case is crafted from Magic Gold, Hublot’s scratch- resistant alloy of gold and ceramic. It houses an automatic skeleton chronograph movement that commands as much attention.

FABRIC OF TIME

Vacheron Constantin was one of the first watch brands to adopt the tonneau shape, which has been part of its collection since 1912. Today, the brand continues to show its mastery of the form with watches like the Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve – a 48.1mm by 36.7mm standout in pink gold.

IN FINE FORM

Franck Muller’s Cintree Curvex range is defined by a distinctive curved case and contours designed to allow these watches to sit perfectly on one’s wrist. But don’t expect it to sit quietly: With Franck Muller’s unique outsized relief numerals, and a sizeable white gold case measuring 48.7mm by 35.3mm, it definitely won’t go unnoticed.

PHOTOGRAPHY FRENCHESCAR LIM ASSISTED BY ANGELA GOH 

ART DIRECTION CHELZA POK

STYLING DOLPHIN YEO

GROOMING KEITH BRYANT LEE, USING CHANEL AND KEVIN MURPHY

MODEL ERIC CAFFYN/MANNEQUIN

LOCATION PIMABS BESPOKE MENSWEAR