Brand Stories

Malaysian watch enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Art of Time watch showcase, organised by Swiss Watch Gallery, is back for its sixth edition this year, with timepieces from the world’s best watchmakers on display.

Stretching a little over a week, Art of Time 2019 started on October 31 (Thursday) and ends on November 10. The showcase is headlined by watchmakers Arnold & Son, Bell & Ross, Girard-Perregaux, Graham, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaquet Droz, Oris, Parmigiani Fleurier, TAG Heuer, Tudor, Ulysse Nardin and Zenith.

Enthusiasts can expect to see noteworthy pieces such as the Jaquet Droz Tropical Bird Repeater, Arnold & Son Time Pyramid Tourbillon in red gold, Girard-Perregaux Bridges Cosmos, IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Rétrograde and the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Tourbillon.

The showcase debuted in 2011 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Swiss Watch Gallery, an emporium with a comprehensive collection of the world’s foremost watchmakers.

This year, Art of Time celebrates “Icons of Time”, i.e. five Malaysian personalities celebrated as icons in their respective fields. In keeping with the spirit of great Swiss master watchmakers, these icons have been selected for their dedication to the pursuit of excellence.

These icons, spanning entrepreneurship, art and sport, will be part of Swiss Watch Gallery’s 2020 campaign, their names to be revealed early next year.

“The idea behind Art of Time is to bring to the Malaysian market the experience of the amazing and exclusive watchmaking showcases of Basel and Geneva.

“We feel it is the best way to inculcate a love for horological instruments and the craftsmanship and innovation that go into their creation,” said Ashvin Valiram, executive director of leading luxury, fashion and lifestyle retail specialist Valiram, which owns Swiss Watch Gallery.

“We have been doing this for almost a decade now. We see Swiss Watch Gallery not just as a retailer, but also an advocate of fine watchmaking. Through Art of Time, we’re looking to evolve our customers’ interest in watches and fuel their passion.”

Currently being held at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the showcase houses all its brands in an approximately 4,000 sq ft event space set up at the retail complex’s concourse. In homage to the homeland of watchmaking greats, Art of Time 2019 intends to invoke the look and feel of Swiss chalets with elements of wood and greenery.

This year, Art of Time collaborates with TUMI, America’s leading business and travel essential brand. The exhibition will showcase a specially designed TUMI pop-up highlighting the ultra-exclusive TUMI x Chris Pratt collection, inspired by the Hollywood actor’s personal packing style.

There will be a demonstration by a Jaquet Droz master enameller, a virtual reality experience by Oris, a watch masterclass by Girard-Perregaux and an Italian coffee experience by illycaffe. There will also be a special booth featuring state-of-the-art watch winders from Orient Crown, a Singapore-based timepiece accessories company.

During the exhibition, visitors will enjoy shopping privileges including exclusive gifts with purchase from participating brands and Tumi x Chris Pratt carry-on luggage, special discounts and 12-month interest free payment plan from leading banks.

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