Is there any direct connection between the automotive and horological worlds? For classic Porsche 911 aficionados, the answer is absolutely yes. Gained the fame in recent years for its vehicles’ details, advanced engineering and outstanding performance, Los Angeles-based Singer Vehicle Design (SVD) restores, modifies and customises one of the most iconic sports cars – the classic Porsche 911 – for clients around the globe. In 2017, the perfectionist brought its passion for the classics to the world of high watchmaking by launching its first watch Track1 Launch Edition. Since then, the story of Singer Reimagined SA has begun, from Los Angeles to Geneva.
“The objective of Singer Reimagined is to reimagine the most iconic horological functions the same way as SVD reimagines Porsche 911,” said Marco Borraccino, co-founder and managing director of the brand. What Singer reimagines is from the sport classic watches of the 1960s and 1970s, the golden era of analogue mechanical watch design. During that period, watches especially automatic chronographs had barrel-shaped cases, turning bezels and vivid colours. Those are the design codes Singer is fascinated with.
Borraccino told Hong Kong Jewellery: “We do not want to recreate vintage models, but we love and respect so much what had been done in that period. In a way, we want to pay tribute to certain models and functions that are objectively iconic.” Due to the high complexity, automatic chronograph is exactly the field where Singer’s attitude to and efforts for watchmaking being demonstrated.
“Forget everything you thought you knew about the chronograph” – this must be the first and foremost description of Singer’s chronographs from Track1 Launch Edition and Track1 Geneva Edition to the recently-launched Track1 Hong Kong Edition. Every piece of Singer watch is powered by a revolutionary automatic column-wheel movement – AgenGraphe, a result of a decade of development. Thanks to a radically new architecture, the integrated movement presents a different time display and can measure up to 60 hours of elapsed time, redefining fundamental principles of watchmaking that have remained unchanged for decades.
Behind the familiar look of Singer watch, every single detail has been reimagined and optimised. The chronograph function takes centre-stage – the chronograph hours, minutes and seconds are coaxially mounted in the centre of the dial, allowing the elapsed time to be read easily and clearly with just a glance. The legibility of the dial, reminiscent of dashboard instruments, is further enhanced by instantaneous jumping hours and minutes. The time of day is not forgotten but instead showcased in relief around the periphery of the dial. The hours and minutes are indicated at six o’clock by the small indicator set just above two rotating discs of the bezel.
After launching the elegant Track1 Geneva Edition in January 2018 which features a yellow gold case and a more minimal layout of the centre dial, Singer chose Hong Kong as one of the first places to establish their global presence by unveiling Track1 Hong Kong Edition at Lavish Attic, the city’s exclusive purveyor of fine timepieces in June. Continuing the signature designs and functions, this edition boasts a black dial with striking orange accents.
“To name a watch edition after a place is a tribute to the place, the clients and local partners there. In our opinion, Hong Kong is one of the cities with the most educated watch clientele,” said Marco Borraccino. He also revealed that customers were keen on the sporty look of the watch, the lightweight of the case together with the matte black finishing and the orange accents, which all provides a very distinctive and strong feel.
While the production of each edition is limited, Singer Reimagined travels the world to present their products to potential clients in order to introduce them the innovations behind each piece. According to the brand, they will present four new editions per year for the next two years. These dedicated editions will then form the backbone of the Singer Reimagined permanent collection.
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