WatchProSite|Market|Digest

WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Horological Meandering

Comments:

The launch of the Alain Silberstein 2008 collection!

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-03:15

Alain Silberstein will not be exhibiting at Baselworld this year, instead he is embarking on a world tour to showcase his 2008 collection. Yesterday, a small group gathered at Garibaldi Italian Restaurant to see the 2008 collection while enjoying a wonderful lunch.

We were privileged to be one of the first in the world to see the new watches and now all Purists can similar enjoy the new range of watches.

(Click here to read an interview with Alain Silberstein from November 2007)

Michael Tay, Executive Director of The Hour Glass with Peter Chong, Lange Moderator on TimeZone

Harry Tan

A familiar logo?

Many thanks to Ching Wyin, Roslinda and the rest of The Hour Glass team for the excellent afternoon.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-03-18 05:00:49 This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-03-18 08:24:51

Part I: Lunch

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-03:29

From left: Tan Puay Hiang, Alain Silberstein and Michael Tay

Chang Ching Wyin of The Hour Glass

The food...

Antipasto di Mare - Seafood platter with Spanner Crab and avocado, stewed baby octopus and deep fried prawn with Cannellini beans

Spaghetti ai ricci di mare e bottarga - Spaghetti with sea urchin and cured grey mullet rose in white wine sauce

Apologies. I forgot to photograph the main course!

Tiramisu Veneziano

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-03-18 03:40:34

Part II: The 2008 collections

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-03:34

Three collections are being launched this year:

1. Black Collection 2008

2. Basik Collection 2008

3. Bronze Collection 2008

A common theme of the 2008 collections is the use of titanium, all the watches are cased in titanium with some being available with a black or bronz coating.

Alain Silberstein watches have a fantastic tactile feel. Most of the new collection is in titanium so they are light yet consist of many different textures.

Above: Bronze Krono Bauhaus

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-03-18 04:40:08

The Black Collection 2008

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-04:22

All watches in this collection feature black PVD-coated titanium case. The Black Marine models are my favourite; they are absolutely massive (the Marine Krono is 46mm wide and 17mm high) but they look and feel great on the wrist.

Also interesting is the fact that all the Marine models are water-resistant to 200m despite having no screw-down crown or locking mechanism. Mr Silberstein notes that modern technology allows for very high water-resistant using just friction sealing.

Black Krono Bauhaus

Black Le Reveil GMT

Black Marine Krono 01

Comparison of the Black Marine Krono (17mm high) with the Black Basik (10.5mm high)

Black Marine Smileday

Another view of the Black Marine Smileday

The Black Marine Smileday

Back of the Black Marine Krono, note the unique, triangular head screws securing the back

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-03-18 04:42:26

The Basik Collection 2008

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-04:24

Bronze Basik

Note the slimness of the Basik case; they sit very well on the wrist

Black Basik Rat 02 (2008 is the Year of the Rat in Chinese culture)

Black Basik Rat 03

Black Valentine

Pink Valentine

Basik in titanium

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-03-18 04:43:02

The Bronze Collection 2008

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-04:25

These watches are made from titanium coated to resemble bronze, resulting in a distinctive looking watch.

Bronze Le Reveil GMT

Bronze Basik

Bronze Krono Bauhaus

Bronze Krono Bauhaus

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-03-18 04:37:51

Part III: More watches

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-04:44

These watches were spotted on various wrists around the table.

Mr Silberstein was sporting the Tourbillon d'Art in titanium. Almost unnaturally light, it reminds me of the RM009 except much less serious looking. Inside beats the STT (formerly Progress) tourbillon movement and a sapphire magnifier is placed right over the tourbillon regulator giving the owner a perfect view.

This is a much earlier Silberstein model featuring only an hour hand.

A Basik in titanium

Other brands were well represented too...

Above: A discreet complication (referring to the JLC Platinum No. 2 tourbillon)

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-03-18 04:51:10

A magnifier over the tourbillon. What a great idea!

By: J_Warden : March 18th, 2008-06:11

Thanks SJX, these offerings are really fun, and I like the bronze coating very much. Those slim models are so tempting!

Best,

Jeff

JX - really great images and report considering how dark the place was...

By: Horolographer : March 18th, 2008-07:16

You managed to capture all the watches accurately with your new camera set up. Hope to see MTF's photos as well!

For all the rest of you - some of us had to sing for our lunch - like this duo SJX and Peter Chong here doing a what looks like a "Stylistics" number with Alain looking on.

Cheers!
Harry

Thanks Harry

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-07:25

Coming from you that means something. :-)

- SJX

I'm really beginning to like his work....

By: Andy : March 18th, 2008-08:24

and these pics are fantastic....really show the 'fun' element to the pieces..!!!

Could somebody please E-mail me some prices of the Basik Smileday, or a full price list as I can't find any prices anywhere..!! Much appreciated.

Yours,

Andy.

Pls email or pm me the price list as well. NT

By: Sleng : March 18th, 2008-08:54

NT

pm

By: argon : March 26th, 2008-18:20

price list request aswell please, thanks! interested in that bronze chrono. are those limited?

Ouou I miss again, I think I miss again

By: cen@jkt : March 18th, 2008-08:33

I miss the show again, how I wanted to be there and meet my favourite designer

Hear it thru the grapevine, that by next week a mouseful of fun is coming my way. Just as I planned to stop and enjoy my bounty, come a rat gnawing at my wallet.

Hehe I look forward to your ratty watch. NT

By: SJX : March 18th, 2008-17:24

nt

My take-home messages

By: MTF : March 18th, 2008-10:35

Alain Silberstein Smileday models? Or Twins?

Alain Silberstein and Mike Tay (The HourGlass) greet PuristS and guests to the 2008 novelties' preview

One of two stellar main courses got rave reviews - Cod au gratin

Got the tee-shirt? Now - get the watch!

Chronomarine

Testing the new large 'cyclops' lens......

True happiness is to have one's passion as a profession...........

Regards,

MTF

The Parting Shot

By: MTF : March 18th, 2008-11:00

TimeWerke Editor - Timmy Tan, "Doing his thang !"

MTF

Lovely playful watches.

By: jimsbk : March 18th, 2008-20:47

Thanks Jiaxian for sharing. They sure looks good in the pictures. Hope to see thema t the retailer soon. Great fun weekend watches. Cheers, Jim

Thanks for these images

By: AndrewD : March 18th, 2008-21:32

There is a lot to like in this collection. Like others, I am starting to take more notice of the Silberstein watches.

I think it would be cool to see Valentine and his arrow indicating the passing of the seconds on a rotating sapphire disk, rather than the separate second hand.

Thanks again

Andrew

Fantastic report & I love the Bronze Series

By: Geo : March 19th, 2008-12:43

but in general Alain Silberstein presents a very strong collection this year I think.
Geo

The pictures of Silberstein..the man..were fantastic..

By: Nirvair : March 19th, 2008-15:03

the 'bronzed' ti is interesting too. Thanks for the photo essay.

Bronze is cool

By: Massi : March 18th, 2008-20:41

I like the bronze case, it gives a great feeling wearing it.
Massi

Great report.

By: Krieng : March 19th, 2008-00:33

Thanks for sharing those pics and reports.

Cheers