Second Time’s A Charm

The safest place to rehome your old Richard Mille.

byCharmian Leong

Buying or selling a pre-owned watch doesn’t have to feel cheap, especially when it comes to a Richard Mille. Instead of hanging around a shop that hasn’t had a makeover since the ‘80s or completing a soulless transaction online, you can now head to The Value of Time at Ngee Ann City, the only official retailer of pre-owned Richard Mille timepieces in the world.

It offers the same plush and private surroundings as a regular Richard Mille boutique (complete with access to the brand’s service centre) so customers can comfortably buy, sell and consign second-hand Richard Mille timepieces. Each goes through a rigorous evaluation and authentication process before it is presented with a certificate of authenticity and a one-year international warranty. Even for those who prefer their tickers spanking new, this could be an opportunity to acquire limited editions they missed.

The pressures of a pandemic-ravaged economy notwithstanding, the resale market was already primed for growth with the rise of ethical and ecological considerations. So we are all for luxury brands that are not only embracing the change but keeping the experience consistent across the board.

thevalueoftimeasia.com

01 INSIDE STORY

The new Chronometre FB 2RE watch by Ferdinand Berthoud is unusual because it’s the first time the brand is using a round case instead of an octagonal one. It’s also the first without the regulator-style dial. Of course, fans of this Chopard Group brand know that the most exciting thing about Ferdinand Berthoud watches lies beneath the surface and the Calibre FB-RE.FC is an absolute stunner, showing off a fusee and chain, and a remontoire d’egalite, both traditional mechanisms that regulate the constant driving force delivered to the oscillator. The movement’s architecture was inspired by the brand’s Marine Clock No. 6, and is further enhanced by impeccable finishing. There are 10 pieces each in white gold with a white enamel dial, and rose gold with a black enamel dial.

2 EASTERN DREAMS

Franck Muller’s watches are often creatively zany just for the sake of being so, but the Master Banker from 1996 was fuelled by pragmatism. The triple time zone movement was created to make it easier for bankers to keep track of the different markets around the globe. Such a watch is even more useful now in this period of increased remote working, so the brand has brought attention back to the Master Banker with an array of new colours exclusive to the Asian market. The 700-piece collection is offered in rose gold, stainless steel or handpolished blackened steel in seven colour combinations, and is available at Franck Muller boutiques and selected retailers across Asia.

03 GOING FOR BRONZE

At a glance, there are many similarities between Rado’s Captain Cook and Tudor’s Black Bay. Both have modern editions in bronze and are rooted in vintage diving watches. But what distinguishes the Captain Cook Bronze Automatic from its pricier competitor is the use of high-tech ceramic – a Rado signature – on the bezel that’s coloured blue, grey or green (pictured) to match the dial and strap. This isn’t Rado’s first bronze rodeo, but the alloy used in the Captain Cook contains aluminium, giving the bronze a lighter, champagne colour compared to the darker, more traditionally hued Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph Bronze Limited Edition. The Captain Cook Bronze Automatic is powered by a reliable ETA C07 movement with an 80-hour power reserve, protected by a titanium caseback.

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