Amidst the lush greenery of a freshly opened luxury hotel nestled within the Orchard Road belt, IAMWATCH concluded with a distinctly Singaporean flair from October 16 – 20, featuring locally inspired themes in a laid-back atmosphere. This event, by The Hour Glass, under the leadership of Group Managing Director Michael Tay brought together visionary independent creators and enthusiasts from the horology world, underscoring how the art of watchmaking thrives on experimentation and pioneering spirits.
To inspire the next generation, “The Future of Authenticity in Watchmaking” showcased a conversation moderated by SJX (Su Jiaxian) and featuring esteemed independent watchmakers such as Felix Baumgartner of Urwerk, Kari Voutilainen and Rexhep Rexhepi. They delved into the evolving definition of authenticity, staying true to their passions in artisanal craftsmanship and the balance of pressures that need to be navigated by modern independent watchmakers.
SJX noted that today’s independent watchmakers face an easier path to sales but a much harder time maintaining authenticity and long-term success due to overwhelming social media influence and the rapid dissemination of trends. Rexhep echoed this, recalling how starting in the 2010s was difficult without strong social media tools, but it has since become a vital platform for connecting with collectors, as much as some living legends, such as Kari does not regularly update any form of personal social media account and prefers to let his craft speak volumes.
Felix and Rexhep shared how they found inspiration in early mentors like François-Paul Journe (F.P. Journe), which the panel generously described as ‘god-like’, even though mentorship was rarer in the 1990s. Both acknowledged that selflessly passing on their knowledge to younger watchmakers is crucial for the future of continuity of the craft, as much as that has to be balanced with the situations monsier Journe has faced in ensuring that other brands do not replicate his solutions such as a pseudo Grande Sonerie “which never worked”, as per his conversation with Isabelle Cerboneschi, which leveraged on the filed patent, a form of intellectual property, that lists the innovative step to the public. This is similar to the balance of the necessary trade secrets held by innovative manufacturers, that have to move fast yet maintain the creative innovation, to stay at the forefront of what they do.
Jointly, the panel also affirmed that collectors play a key role in encouraging creative freedom and individuality by supporting watchmakers who stay true to their unique visions, rather than merely following market trends.
This requires providing them with opportunities to explore, experiment and push boundaries, much like how visionary creators in the watch industry continually push the limits of technology and design. For instance, the upcoming Phillips Auction in Geneva, held between November 9–10 in association with Bacs and Russo, will feature extraordinary timepieces that exemplify creative ingenuity. Among these is a striking 2020 Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante by F.P. Journe, crafted in 18k pink gold with a 44mm diameter. This masterpiece, with an auction estimate between CHF 80,000 – 160,000 showcases a split-second chronograph—an evolution in F.P. Journe’s approach to horology.
The timepiece’s lineage can be traced back to 2017, when F.P. Journe first created a unique split-second chronograph in tantalum for The Hour Glass’ OnlyWatch charity auction, a 6-week world tour, which commenced at the Monaco Yacht Show around end September and finished in Singapore in early October in support of L’Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy cause, which also provided a testbed for brands to experiment with innovative technologies, many of which later influenced commercially produced models. This particular piece garnered massive attention, ultimately sold for 1.15 million Swiss francs, surpassing all expectations.
These platforms not only honor tradition but inspire the next wave of creators to innovate and drive the future forward—whether in watchmaking or other fields.
Stay updated and social with Popspoken: LinkedIn | Instagram
Featured image: The Singapore EDITION
