Audemars Piguet

orangedial
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Third Time's a Hat Trick (*Pics Heavy*)

Since our first GTG six months ago in March 2014, it was the third time this small group of like-minded AP enthusiasts get together for yet another fun day. This time round, we chose the famed Marina Bay Sands (MBS) as our outing location for an obvious reason: a new AP boutique had just been opened for business a week earlier! An appointment was made with AP to visit the new playground! 

Before the boutique visit, the group settled at a cozy corner of a local coffee joint called Toast Box to catch up with each other. It was a gathering of not only AP watches, but a few other interesting and respectable collections from buddies who are self-proclaimed watch nuts! A galore of nice timepieces were there for generous sharing and admiration. Even a mini digital weighing scale was making its presence to add more fun!

IWC Portuguese 7-Day Perpetual Calendar in WG

AP ROO FC Grand Prix LE

Beautiful display case back showcasing the exquisite winding rotor 

Wonderful ALS Datograph in Platinum

One of the most beautiful movement display in haute horlogerie

The venerable PP Nautilus 5712/1A

My favorite micro-rotor powered Cal.240 

Pam 289 in RG. Limited production of 6 pcs

Neo-vintage RG DD with Bark finishing

One of the very first Sub LV with Mk1 dial & flat 4 olive green bezel

Neo-vintage Sea-Dweller 16660 with Mk1 Tritium dial 

Grand Seiko "Self-Dater" Limited Edition

Top-notch polishing of Grand Seiko

A vintage Seiko Bullhead from the 70s

A customary group shot

To spice up the gathering, the organizer, one of our most generous members, had so kindly offered a rare AP watch stand for lucky draw! Guess who had won the draw? Ahem… Yours Truly was the lucky star of the day :P

After an hour of chatting, photo-taking and watch-tasting, we adjourned to the new AP boutique at MBS. We were warmly greeted by Mr Antonio Seward, the new General Manager for AP Southeast Asia since 1 Sep 2014, and the ever gracious Bindy. The MBS boutique bears the new design concept similar to some other recently refreshed boutiques worldwide, including Bal Harbour, Tokyo and Hong Kong. With extensive use of geometric lines and combination of earth tone colors, the new boutique looks avant-garde and luxury from the outside, and warm and welcoming once stepped inside. 

The high ceiling gives the boutique a sense of spaciousness. The interior deco boasts a nice and huge multi-panel display screen which brings Vallée de Joux to life! A tall counter with Royal Oak inspired table top and counter base which located in front of the large screen, as well as  a long table placed right inside the boutique provide ample space for customers to view and discuss the exquisite AP timepieces cozily. There is even a VIP room "hidden" behind the black shelf which is used for closing deals!  

Mr. Antonio Seward (left)

AP Royal Oak Skeleton 15305 in RG

AP ROC "Leo Messi" LE in RG 

AP RO 15400 in RG

AP ROO 26470 "2014 Novelty" in RG

Bindy (left)

Several important and top-end AP timepieces were displayed in the VIP room waiting for their suitors! I had the privilege to snap a few photos of two of the ultra high-end models, a Millenary Minute Repeater with AP escapement in Titanium case and a Jules Audemars Chronometer with AP escapement in Platinum case, which add up to more than SGD 1.1 million (MSRP). Hope these photos do the watches justice...

Millenary Minute Repeater with AP Escapement in Titanium Case

Jules Audemars Chronometer with AP Escapement in Platinum Case

Our third GTG ended on a high note with AP's hospitality during the boutique visit. What a blast! Lastly, how can there be a GTG without a customary group wrist shot?  

Thanks for making this far and hope you have enjoyed reading!  

Have a great week ahead!

Wayne