News 2012: World’s First Hublot Pop-Up Store Officially Opened In Singapore

[Jordiher]

Kicked Off The Singapore Formula One Grand Prix Festivities
With a Big Bang



SINGAPORE, September 2012 – Singapore’s most established luxury watch retailer, The
Hour Glass in partnership with Swiss luxury brand, Hublot launched the world’s first Hublot
pop-up store in Singapore amid much fanfare. Aptly named “BIG BANG”, this revolutionary
project showcases the world of Hublot for the very first time. Conceptualized and hosted by
its exclusive distributor The Hour Glass, the monumental project is a one-of-a-kind in the
world.



Collaborating with leading Singapore design extraordinaire Mr Chris Lee of Asylum, BIG
BANG is a colossal structure that fuses art and functionality, creativity and aesthetics –
terms that are synonymous with the energy and DNA of Hublot. Made up of more than
35,000 individual black ‘gems’ – hand-folded and strung into a floating ethereal pavilion,
Hublot’s pop-up store is a show-stopper, drawing the eye of anyone who steps into the main
atrium of Paragon Shopping Mall, located in the heart of Orchard Road.

A night of many firsts, the “Royal Million Trio” – US$5 million Big Bang, US$1.2 Million Bang
and Baby Million Bang – were presented together, truly a feast for the eye. These stunning
masterpieces were boldly displayed in a completely open showcase, audaciously inviting
guests to go close for an unadulterated view. Thanks to the showcase’s high sensory
technology, the watch ‘disappears’ into the showcase in a blink of an eye if one tried to reach
for it, eliciting gasps of delight and wonder.

A highlight amongst the guests and glitterati are Hublot’s 3D showcases. Not the usual
watch display stand, each is a state-of-the-art equipment. Using a clever interplay of
animation, movement sensors and digital media, the 3D animation showcases present
Hublot watches in a show-and-tease way, leading the viewers on a novel interactive digital
journey, adding life and vibrancy to the exquisite watches.
As many would know, Hublot’s limited editions are highly collectible timepieces. In
celebration of the pop-up store, Hublot amassed close to 70 limited edition models from all
around the world and presented them together for the very first time. A feat to be
commended, the covetable limited editions collections were among the many highlights of
the evening.
Guests were spoilt for choices at the unique Strap Bar, bearing the widest array of Hublot
straps in varying colours and materials. Limited edition Hublot straps were also featured
alongside the extensive selection, allowing customers to update their Hublot watches with
these delectable accessories.
Attended by a well-heeled crowd of over 300 invited guests, the mood was an upbeat one.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was equally impressive with the trumpeters’ symphony
denoting the start of the ceremony, followed by a stunning shower of confetti that rained
down on the guests from the second floor of Paragon. Guests were kept enthralled by the
finale act by renowned home-grown group, Wicked Aura. They delivered a rousing
performance of beat thumping vivacious tunes to everyone’s delight and amazement.
The Hublot pop-up store ran for eleven days from 14 September to 24 September to
coincide with the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix which runs from 21 – 23 September.
The intimate soiree ended on an enchanting note; old and new friendships forged and
renewed.

The Hour Glass is the exclusive distributor of Hublot in South East Asia.
The Design Inspiration

Taking advantage of the majestic void space in Paragon, Chris Lee has designed an art
installation aptly entitled BIG BANG, which spans across two floors, sweeping impressively
across the area. Tens of thousands of “black gems” rain down from above, creating an
illusion of a store which has popped up, inviting a sense of excitement and wonder.
“I am very happy and honoured to be given the opportunity to create Hublot’s first pop-up
store in the world. I found the innovative and pioneering spirit of Hublot very inspiring and
similar to my personal ethos in many ways. One which breaks the boundaries of creativity to
forge new frontiers,” says Chris Lee, Founder and Creative Director of Asylum.

When asked about the inspiration and thinking behind the Hublot pop-up store concept,
Chris Lee explains, “The momentary quality of a pop-up store suggests an ephemeral,
fleeting point in time caught in a still image. To illustrate the legacy of the Hublot brand and
its innovations, Asylum seeks to recreate its notable paradoxical philosophy with an illusory
space; magically solid yet porous and structurally monumental yet light.”

ABOUT HUBLOT POP UP STORE
Duration: 14 – 23 September 2012
Time: 10am – 9pm; daily
Venue: Main Atrium, Paragon Shopping Mall
290 Orchard Road, Singapore

ABOUT HUBLOT, THE EXCLUSIVE STORY OF FUSION
"Hublot! A different way to progress," says those who know this unique Swiss watch
company, where each and every moment moves forward to create the future at breathtaking
speed. A dream, initiated and developed by Hublot's Chairman Jean-Claude Biver with
CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe, these two men are responsible for turning the Hublot brand into a
genuine success story in which the Big Bang, King Power, Classic Fusion and Masterpieces
represent the symbols of a constantly evolving tradition.

From watch complications and revolutionary materials to world-class collaborations such as
FIFA World Cup™, Formula One™ and Ferrari, Hublot characterizes itself through the "Art
of Fusion" philosophy, bringing tradition into the future. Today, with the new high-tech
Hublot watch manufacture, building on the impressive growth of the brand, the Art of Fusion
story is still being written with the combination of materials like ceramic, carbon, platinum,
tantalum, tungsten, titanium, rubber…with more conventional materials as gold, platinum,
steel, diamonds and precious stones, while still remaining true to the Swiss watchmaking
tradition enriched with the visionary creativity of the 21st Century. On a commercial level, the
network of approved retailers has grown rapidly and currently stands at 650 points of sale
and more than 45 exclusive boutiques around the world.
For more information, visit www.Hublot.com

ABOUT CHRIS LEE, ASYLUM
Chris Lee is the founder and Creative Director of Asylum, one of the most respected creative
companies in Asia.

Since its inception in 1999, the creative company has focused on cross disciplinary projects
that include interactive design, product development, environmental & interior design,
packaging, apparel design, branding and graphic design. Featured in numerous magazines
from around the world, Asylum is defined as an unconventional maverick in the creative
world.

Asylum’s work in the creative industry is recognized with more than 100 international
awards. Chris is the recipient for the Designer of the Year and Design of the Year in
Singapore’s President Design Award. He has served as a juror for many of the top
international creative awards such as D&AD, Red Dot, The One Show and Tokyo Type
Directors Club. Chris is also a founding member and President of The Design Society, a
non-profit organization that aims to promote visual culture through exhibitions, workshops
and education.

ABOUT THE HOUR GLASS – WORLD’S LEADING CULTURAL RETAIL ENTERPRISE

Established since 1979, The Hour Glass is the most geographically diverse, multi-brand
specialist luxury watch retailer in the region, representing a stable of over 50 brands across
24 boutiques in eight cities throughout the Asia Pacific.

The Hour Glass prides itself as the world’s leading cultural retail enterprise, having
pioneered the development and promotion of contemporary horological culture, playing a
significant role in raising horology awareness and appreciation in the region.
Monocle and Wallpaper magazine both recognised The Hour Glass as Asia’s premier watch
retailer. In 2008, The Hour Glass emerged the winner of the Singapore Prestige Brand
Award whilst in 2010, L’Atelier by The Hour Glass – a boutique dedicated to expressing the
culture and patrimony of traditional watchmaking garnered the ‘Best Retail Concept of the
Year’ accolade by the Singapore Retailers Association as well as the 'Most innovative retail
concept of the Year' award by the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retail Associations (FAPRA). In
the same year, Vanity Fair magazine named The Hour Glass as one of the twelve most
influential retailers in the world.

In February 2011, The Hour Glass broke new ground with the opening of Malmaison.
Spanning over 8,000sqft, this multi-category luxury emporium is a sanctuary for objects of
authentic luxury housed in an elegant yet eclectic setting. Besides housing the finest items
of haute horology, a wide spectrum of refined objects d’art, jewellery, fragrances, exclusive
collectible literature and bespoke services for the sartorially inclined, form the backbone of
the exceptional Malmaison experience. Malmaison garnered the 2011 “Best Retail Concept
of the Year” award which is accorded by the Singapore Retailers Association, marking the
second consecutive win for The Hour Glass in the same category.

More Passion by The Hour Glass is the Group’s third multi-brand watch concept boutique
scheduled to open in September 2012. More Passion celebrates the rediscovery of
traditional craft and the culture of contemporary artisanship, particularly referencing the
Nouvelle Vague design movement.