Cartier Time Art Exhibition Singapore

SJX reports on an exclusive VIP tour of the Cartier Time Art exhibition in Singapore, the largest Cartier timepiece exhibition to date. The event offered a private viewing of 159 timepieces at the Marina Bay Sands Art Science Museum, preceded by a gathering at the Cartier boutique. SJX highlights specific regional editions and Fine Watchmaking pieces that captivated attendees.

Just a few days before SIHH 2012 several VIP clients of Cartier were invited for a private tour of the Time Art exhibition, running until February 13 at the Marina Bay Sands Art Science Museum. This is the largest Cartier timepiece exhibition ever with 159 timepieces on display – click here for a detailed look at the exhibition.

The guests first gathered at the Cartier boutique at Marina Bay Sands to look at what else but watches, lubricated by Cartier champagne.

Two regional editions in particular that caught the attention of the attendees were the Rotonde Singapore edition with the casino-inspired colours of the big date, and the rose gold Cloche with purple numerals made for the KLCC boutique in Malaysia.

Rotonde Singapore edition

Cloche KLCC edition 

But the Fine Watchmaking pieces also got their share of attention, especially the Astrotourbillon.

Admiring the Astrotourbillin the titanium Calibre de Cartier case 

Based on the watches owned by the guests, the most popular FWM timepiece is the Santos skeleton in both Dumont and 100 size (and this is reflected in Cartier’s overall sales figures as well).

Remember this photo from the Singapore FWM dinner last year?

And there were one or two Collection Privee Cartier Paris discreetly hidden on wrists too.

After that the dozen guests headed over to the lotus-shaped Art Science museum.

The tour was conducted by a professional guide. Typically the tour takes 30 to 45 minutes, but because the group comprised of people particularly obsessed with watches it took over an hour. Despite the time everyone was so fascinated that no one was hungry (except for the forum moderator who has seen the exhibition half a dozen times).

What drew the most wows was the all white ‘Tornado’ room housing the ID One concept watch. The watch sits in a big glass case behind an enormous lens, amidst mountains of plastic straws.

Then finally it was time for dinner at Imperial Treasure, a short walk away. Imperial Treasure is a chain of Chinese restaurants in Singapore that all serve excellent food. The restaurant at Marina Bay Sands specialises in Cantonese cuisine, with a dash of Western inspiration like caviar with egg white. As expected the meal was outstanding, as was the wine, a 2003 Cheval Blanc.

Christopher Kilaniotis, Managing Director of Cartier SE Asia and Australia

Modelling matching Panthere rings

Over the meal guests were asked to vote for their favourite objects from the exhibition. Clocks were definitely the favourite of the group. Amongst the favourites was the impressive 1927 Egyptian clock with an eight day, striking movement.

And also the doorway clock with an eight day power reserve in nephrite. It is wound by pushing up the clock to the top of the doorway. Over the next eight days the clock will then gradually slide down, and once it hits the bottom will need rewinding.

Needless to say the mystery clocks were also memorable.

Many of the guests agreed that an exhibition dedicated to Cartier clocks would be most well received.

And soon the evening came to an end and so ended yet another top class event by Cartier. Everyone is looking forward to the next one.

- SJX