A Trip To Asia. Part One, Singapore.

Jun 26, 2014,17:21 PM
 

First of all, I have to say that this trip is my first trip in Asia.

You can imagine how excited I was when, a bit less than one year ago, Jaeger-Lecoultre proposed this trip.

From Asia, what did I have in mind? A wealthy Financial world, a very far country, Marguerite Duras book " L'amant ", André Malraux " demential " passion for this continent, and many virtual friends.

Well, some pictures seen here and there, a fantasy, and the promise to be deeply disoriented, as I knew nothing about Asia.

Singapore, Hong Kong were only names which made me dream, as any long distance trip.

My first stop over was Singapore. A 11 000 kilometers trip. A night flight. A first sleepless night, surrealist, as I spent it sepaking Football and World Cup with a crazy mexican guy.  wink

When I arrived, no time to breathe. Just the time for a funny check in in an hotel, with a funny hotel room number.


Then, just the time to take a shower, and a first GTG, in Sentosa Marina, with a big majority of virtual friends, new and very old friends.

A first magic night, I must say... A delicious one, for sure!

The day after, we had a long visit of Singapore, and we faced the " Watch reality ", which can be summed with one number: 300.

300 is the number of Watch shops, " corners " and Boutiques dedicated to watches! All the brands are here, have to be here.

Just breathtaking.

Among these brands, Jaeger-Lecoultre, of course, with the same concentration of Boutiques. From an european point of view, it is difficult to understand, how it can successfully work, but it seems that it works! Madness...

Another part of the decorum, the malls, big and top luxury commercial centers, but I have to say that I already saw that, in South California, or in Las Vegas. So to say, I was not disoriented by that.

Some malls:

 

 

 

 

 

And the famous Orchard Road... A name which sounds familiar to me since it has been the name of a limited edition I loved and still love a lot, the eponymous Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Off Shore wit its delicious tantalum case, or the place were some famous retailers are located: Sincere, which offered, some years ago, a limited edition of the Master Minute Repeater in platinum with the same dial than my beloved Titanium. Cortina is another big retailer, as well as the not less famous " The Hour Glass ".

Orchard Road made me think about another I visited, though... Rodeo Drive, in Los Angeles ( Beverly Hills )

 

 


Another thing which surprised me a lot was this frenesy and excessiveness in the architecture, the buildings.

A view on the town:

 

Marina Bay Sand is certainly a good example of this excessiveness:

 

 

The hôtels are in the same vein. Some are very charming, I must say, like the Fullerton and even better, the Raffles.

 

 

A small disappointment, though... I thought that such a town had an important night life, and was very excited to live that as a notorious insomniac I am... In fact, most of the night bars and clubs close quite early, between 1 and 2 AM...

I tested the Altitude bar, in one of the higher tower of Singapore, which offers an impressive panorama of the town, and the Marina Bay Sand sky bar.

I managed to take a night picture of the city:

 

Another regret is to not have had the time to visit the old Singapore, with its colorful houses, along the river. I loved what I saw!

The other purpose of my trip was to spend more time with some of the watches I saw at the SIHH, earlier this year, the Tribute To Geophysic, to feel them outside the ambiance of a Watch Fair.

I just could not miss this opportunity, and wore them a lot, during my stay in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Here are the Singapore shots, of the Platinum version, first:

 

 

 

 

  

 

Then of the Rose Gold...

Honors to the ladies, and especially to Alethea, who organized the GTGs in a brilliant way.

 

My hairy wrist cannot compete, in beauty...

  

 

 

And, last but not least, the Stainless Steel:

Alethea, once again...

 

And my wrist... Sorry, guys. wink

 

 

 

 

 

A last picture, a static shot of the stainless steel version:

 

Among the three versions, I must confess a big weakness for the stainless steel one, which I wore the most.

This is a Watch I would well see in my collection, for its " coolness ", its presence.

The platinum is superb, with its more conventional dial, but the cross hair is very elegant, too.

I was positively surprised to see how the rose gold fitted a lady's wrist. Alethea agreed with me on this point, and loved this Watch a lot.

To end, I would like to post two pictures of a Watch I had the pleasure to see on a friendly wrist, during our second GTG in the Marina Bay Sand Boutique. A Watch I always loved, the Reverso Platinum Nr 2, Tourbillon, undisputably an examplar beauty!

 

There is another Watch I also had an immense pleasure to wear during these days, but I will dedicate a special thread to it...

I will not end this article without thanking a lot the SG JLC Team for the warm and friendly welcome... Alexis, Alethea... Thank you so much!

All the Best.

Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-06-26 17:23:36 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-06-26 17:31:54 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-06-28 08:08:32


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Wow

 
 By: RG1 : June 26th, 2014-17:43
Nice photos, especially the night photo from top :-) Hope to see you again someday and very nice meeting you in jlc boutique. The platinum geophysic is very nice in your wrist :-) Regards, Ronald

I agree, I like the SS version very much

 
 By: cazalea : June 26th, 2014-23:39
But it has no date window? Cazalea

re: Part One

 
 By: DRMW : June 27th, 2014-00:16
Room 666? Guess they were expecting you! Sounds like you had a lot of fun out in HK and Singapore! -MW

It seems, yes. The HK trip was really something, yes.

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:18
The report, I still have to write it... 20 Hours in two different planes didn't let me too much time. ;) All the best, my friend. Nicolas.

Wow! It looks like you had a wonderful time.....

 
 By: Sandgroper : June 27th, 2014-01:56
I must say that I too, have a penchant for the SS, very nice, sober and chic! Its on my list;) Cheers and thank you for the nice pictures. Francois

That would be a nice addition in your collection. Thanks for looking, my friend.

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:21
I just regret you weren't able to attend! Best, Nicolas

Nico, I see you are going well in your trip........

 
 By: shipkeeper : June 27th, 2014-06:55
......Nice shots beautiful places and watches.- Good luck my friend and good winds!! A hug. Juan

love that tourbillon

 
 By: mjnoumoff : June 27th, 2014-08:29
great looking and very under the radar watch!!

The Reverso Platinum Nr 2 is as you said, indeed. Magnificent, and under the radar.

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:24
Which makes all its interest, IMO... Best, Nicolas

Cool trip, great post!

 
 By: MichaelC : June 27th, 2014-08:32
Even if I would have preferred Alethea's wrist for all of the photos ;-) Good to see your room was ready when you arrived too. I am finding the SS Geophysic highly tempting. But I will likely stay the course for a platinum Septantieme when I am able.

The trip was like in a dream. As for the SS Geophysic...

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:27
In terms of price, this is not the kind of Watch which will disturb you to get the Septantieme... Funny, I was on to take the 70eme with me, for this trip, but at the last moment, I let it in the safe... Too many watches with me, already... Best, my frien... 

Great report Nicolas!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : June 27th, 2014-09:03
I am a born and bred Singaporean and I love your post! True you didnt get to visit the old Singapore at the quay areas - maybe next time :) As for the night life, I heard we declared a state of emergency for curfew at 12am due to a certain vampire in town... 

I would have loved to have enough time to visit this part of the town.

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:28
Next time I will! Yes, night life was a bit disappointin,g but your explanation makes sense. :) :) :) All the best, my dear friend. Nicolas

Wow !.. Eventful trip.. Appreciated company.. Lots of Objects of desire !..

 
 By: hs111 : June 27th, 2014-10:21
.. and I absolutely can relate to the version on stainless steel ; ( the Pt more Retro for me, in a way) - Somehow quite happy, that I've put my (personal Géophysic 1958 on) order with JLC, already some time ago. We'll find out more, what's in the boxes, ... 

Thanks for your feedback, hs. The HK report will come a bit later, I still have to

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:46
Write it.... ;) I already worked on my pictures, though. As for the TT Geophysic, I am sure you will adore it. All the best, Nicolas

Hope, you had a good trip !. No rush, pls with the HKreport.. But indeed looking forward..

 
 By: hs111 : June 28th, 2014-08:42
.. to seeing the Géophysic(s) in the real ! - But maybe there will be a chance sometime & somewhere to do so, before they really will be released in fall or end-of-year.. My best, also for the WE, hs

Thnxxx !.. :)))

 
 By: hs111 : June 28th, 2014-08:49

Thank you

 
 By: Le Monde Edmond : June 27th, 2014-12:33
For the watch tour and city tour. Singapore is often compared to Switzerland I am not sure why. Besides banking - the two countries seem vastly different. As far as nightlife- come visit me in Zurich- it can compete with Paris ;) I also enjoyed your arm c... 

great report Nico !!

 
 By: GLau : June 27th, 2014-12:42
I cannot wait to see your HK report !1 Cheers, Gordon

Just arrived. Have to kiss the family, then I will work on it.

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:48
Man that wa great to see you. This last breakfast was a real pleaure. All the best, Nicolas

The climate is much different than in Swizerland, of course.

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:47
As for wrists, well, yes, I must amdit my defeat. All the best, Nicolas ...  

You managed to squeeze a lot of walking and sightseeing into that second day.

 
 By: Ruckdee : June 27th, 2014-17:55
Congratulations on that. I did a part of that route during my visit last year and another part this year the day after the function at Sentosa Cove. I can't wait to get back to Singapore again. Love this city. Most importantly to mention, it was great mee... 

Mutual pleasure, my friend. Good to see you!

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:55
As for the second day, yes, we walked a lot, to try to find some nice spots for some photo sessions. Alethea was a great and sperb guide. Thank you, my friend, and remember, you are always welcome in France! Nicolas

And when is Part 2 coming out? :)

 
 By: NT931 : June 27th, 2014-20:54
The Reverso Pt Tourbillon is truly a work of art! And indeed a lady's wrist brings out the RG Geophysic in a very different way from a guy's. Great to meet you Nicolas, and I'm glad you had fun in Singapore!

I must say that I was puzzled to see how the TT Geo RG worked so well on a lady's wrist.

 
 By: amanico : June 28th, 2014-02:57
A Revelation! Meeting you was a real pleasure. Hope to see you more often here! All the best, Nicolas

Very capable ...

 
 By: Kong : June 27th, 2014-23:48
were you flying or walking? :-) You covered quite many places within a day in this warm weather. Solid! Thanks for Part 1, looking forward to HK part now. Kong

Looks like you had a great time, my friend! :)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : June 28th, 2014-12:12
Must say that I prefer Alethea's wrist...! ;) Best Blomman

Great report Nico !

 
 By: Geo : June 30th, 2014-10:16
Cool to hear you enjoyed the city a lot. GEO

Fantastic experience ...

 
 By: bimbeano : July 1st, 2014-14:25
.. i have never been in Asia that far :-) ... seems really like something 'out of our world' to me .... . As for the nightlife, i think you should go to Bangkok ;-) .... How long did you stay ? Filip

I've been there, in SG and HK, for 5 days. A tad too short, but ...

 
 By: amanico : July 1st, 2014-21:34
An excellent first experience! Wait for the Part II, and the HK trip. Best, my friend. Nicolas