Treasures of Vacheron Constantin : A Legacy of Watchmaking since 1755

Free admission to the exhibitions at some of the museums in Singapore, so the boy and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to the National Museum of Singapore. We had wanted to go for the Terracotta Warriors Exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum but the boy mistakenly ended up at the National Museum, which was a blessing in disguise, as I had the most fantastic breakfast at 4 in the afternoon!

I never had a passion for watches. In fact, I haven't been wearing one for the last 10 years or so, ever since I got myself a handphone. That was because I never knew what works of art they could be, until I went to the Treasures of Vacheron Constantin – A Legacy of Watchmaking since 1755 exhibition, which explores the heritage of the oldest watch manufacturer spanning more than 250 years. On display are 180 timepieces, some breathtakingly beautiful, and the pictures below don't do them justice, partly due to the lighting and the iphone4 camera.


Chronometer Hunting-Case Pocket-Watch
1869, 18K yellow gold, enamel dial, caliber 20" R chronometer, 19 jewels


"Arms Up" Pocket-Watch
1930, yellow gold, white gold, enamel, Caliber RA 17" 15/12 "arms up" display, 18 jewels, silver satin-finish dial, Chinese magician in gold and enamel


"Arms Up" Pocket-Watch
1960, 18K yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, Caliber RA 17" 15/12 "arms up" display, 18 jewels, shuttlecock players


Gentleman's Wristwatch
1964, 18K pink gold, caliber 9" - 1001, 18 jewels
By request from a customer, this braille model allowed the user to read the time off the raised hour-markers with his fingertips.


Pocket Watch
1924, 18K yellow gold, jade, 8/8 cut diamonds, enamel dial, 18 jewels
This is my favourite! I like the marbling, delicate translucency and coolness of jade.


8 Days Desk Clock
Gilt silver, agate, lacquer, 8/8-cut diamonds, caliber RA 19" - 8 days, 17 jewels


8 Days Desk Clock
1926, brass, white gold, lacquer, agate, lapis lazuli, turquoises. nephrite, opals, rose-cut diamonds, caliber RA 19" - 8 days, 17 jewels


Admission is free so do take this great opportunity to admire these timepieces up close!

Venue: National Museum of Singapore, Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement
Date: Fri 24 June - Fri 14 Aug 2011
Time: 10am - 6pm