Riding on the success of its 100 Tourbillons Exhibition in 2014, Sincere Fine Watches launches a new showcase this year.

From October 28 to 31 December, watch lovers in Malaysia will be treated to ‘An Exquisite Showcase of 100 Complications’, courtesy of Sincere Fine Watches, at their flagship boutique in Suria KLCC. 

As its name suggests, 100 complications worth over RM100 million from 22 different watch brands will be on display. Visitors can expect an astounding spread that spans tourbillons to minute repeaters—with each expressing a unique take on technically inspired haute horlogerie, as well as demonstrating a high level of artisanship and ingenuity. 

Vice-chairman and managing director of Sincere Fine Watches, Kingston Chu shares his thoughts on the exhibition.

Sincere held the 100 Tourbillons Exhibition in 2014, which was so successful that the company is organizing the 100 Complications this year. Can you give us a sense of how successful the 100 Tourbillons Exhibition was in terms of attendance and reception? 
The Tourbillons Exhibition was the first of its kind, showcasing 100 tourbillons in Southeast Asia. We received strong support from brand partners who flew in representatives to meet our customers face to face. There were around 150 guests who attended the exhibition and it was a breakthrough for our company in providing a platform of high complication watches in one place, at one time. Our aim was to inspire and amaze our clients, which we achieved with unprecedented success.

Is it fair to say that ultimately, ‘An Exquisite Showcase of 100 Complications’ is retail-driven? 
The 100 Complications exhibition is a continuation of my vision that materialised from the 100 Tourbillons exhibition—to share my passion for high-end watchmaking with watch lovers around the world. This year’s exhibition is held in-store, giving customers the familiarity of our retail environment, while bringing a diverse new collection of the best that the watch industry has produced. It drives watch enthusiasts and collectors to the boutique to view the thoughtfully-curated timepieces. What could be more alluring than exploring the complex world of haute horlogerie and having the option to choose which piece to make your own?

What message do you want to convey to your customers about Sincere and the spirit of watchmaking?
This exhibition bears testament to Sincere’s authenticity and heritage in the purveying of luxury timepieces. We want to introduce customers to a diverse and exciting group of brands, to inspire and cultivate an appreciation for the remarkable art of watchmaking and pay tribute to the craft of watchmaking. The exhibition will also showcase the best and most unique complications from three categories like the fusée and chain and escapements, groundbreaking movements that continue to challenge traditional watchmaking and conventional timekeeping, and the minute repeater where brands bring their own distinctive chime to their creations.

Can you comment on the sophistication of Malaysian watch collectors?
Malaysia has a diverse range of watch collectors, and some of the biggest in the world. They have a great appreciation for the craft of watchmaking. We hope exhibitions like these that gather complications will continue to inspire and fascinate collectors.

Which watches from the exhibition are you particularly excited about and why?

For one, the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud FB1 (above) with ‘flying’ fusée and chain. The mechanism is suspended with no bridges or plates holding the pulley and barrel down, and is definitely an eye-opener which seems to be found only in a brand like Ferdinand Berthoud. Extremely difficult to engineer, it demonstrates the brand’s technical prowess.

I also like Greubel Forsey’s Tourbillon 24 Seconds Contemporain (below) which is one of the fastest tourbillons in the market, rotating at 24 seconds instead of 60. Despite the amount of energy required, it’s impressive that the power reserve is 72 hours.

Finally, there’s the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater, which is a rather rare decimal minute repeater. This one chimes longer and makes it easier to tell the time.

 

'An Exquisite Showcase of 100 Complications' runs from October 28 to December 31, 2016 at Sincere Fine Watches, Suria KLCC