A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME VII

CELEBRATES ANOTHER YEAR OF STUNNING SUCCESS

Prestigious Watches & Jewellery Honoured at Asia’s Grandest Luxury Watch and Jewellery Showcase

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 DECEMBER 2013 – After eight eventful days, the curtains closed last Friday on Asia’s grandest luxury watch and jewellery showcase, A Journey Through Time VII at Starhill Gallery. Endorsed by The Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, this year’s A Journey Through Time had once again awed watch & jewellery enthusiasts with exquisite timepieces and jewellery with its display of the latest and most unique collections from world-renowned brands. Making a grand finale for the closing event was the highly anticipated Starhill Gallery Watch and Jewellery of the Year Awards, which saw some of the world’s leading luxurious brand nominated for the various different awards presented.

On the judging panel for the Starhill Gallery Watch and Jewellery of the Year Awards are renowned local and international horological & jewellery experts, namely Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh, Mr. Joseph Yeoh, Mr. Su Jia Xian, Mr. Hirota Masayuki, Mr. Rainer Siegal and Mr. Charles Sutanto. The esteemed judges had the challenging job of selecting the winners from a choice of nominated timepieces & jewellery in seven different categories.

The Reverso Cordonnet Duetto by Jaeger-LeCoultre was celebrated for winning The Starhill Gallery Favourite Ladies Watch Award. Consecutively, The Starhill Gallery Favourite Men’s Watch Award went to Chapter Three: Reveal from Maîtres du Temps while one of the most interesting award of the year, The Starhill Gallery Watch with Complications in Movement Award was claimed by Hublot’s Masterpiece MP-05 “LAFERRARI”. Bedat & Co.’s Ref. 327.555.909 timepiece, designed with the finest of art deco elegance featuring a sparkling diamond exterior and mother of pearl dial proves its exquisiteness when it won The YTL Spirit of Classical Art Award. This year’s new category, Judges’ Choice Award which is given to luxurious and fine timepieces that are easily accessible was won by Speake-Marin’s Spirit Mark 2.

Just like the everlasting Sophia Loren, the Starhill Gallery Timeless Jewellery Award went to the illustrious Sophia Loren necklace by Italian jeweller, Damiani. Finally, the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen closed the award ceremony by presenting The Tourism Malaysia Most Revered Award to Mouawad for its enchanting necklace, the eminent L’Incomparable, which was one of the most highlighted piece throughout A Journey Through Time VII. Priced at US $55 million, the L’Incomparable necklace has excite its many visitors with its sophisticated design and dazzling yellow diamond and is certified by the Guinness World Records as the most valuable necklace in the world.

In her speech, Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen commended Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Francis Yeoh on the success of A Journey Through Time and told guests, “Malaysia is the place to be for everything, especially shopping. Hence, we insisted that Malaysia has to be duty free. This has definitely contributed to Kuala Lumpur as the 4^th best shopping city in the world.”

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Corporations Berhad said, “Over the years, A Journey Through Time has housed many luxurious brands of watches and jewellery. Thank you to all who has made the event a success every year. Since 2007, A Journey Through Time has attracted over millions visitors and this year we have grown even more as our sales of watches and jewellery is over RM 50 million and with bigger and bigger items.”

He added, “We are very excited in receiving the news for the 2^nd time that CNN ranked Kuala Lumpur as the 4^th best shopping city in the world ahead of Paris, Hong Kong and Dubai. Every renowned brand in the world has their standalone boutiques here at Starhill Gallery. They choose to come here to Malaysia and Starhill Gallery ahead of other possible venues because we offer attractive rental prices and a platform to reach the affluent customers. Starhill Gallery is the catalyst to turn Bintang Walk into the Orchard Road and Oxford Street of Kuala Lumpur. We are like the Paris of the East because we provide them a shopping destination, with an array of delectable cuisines.”

In a new twist to the proceedings this year, the Swiss Auctions made their first-ever appearance, auctioning over 200 of the world’s rarest timepieces and providing expert demonstrations by world-famous watchmaker Aaron Becsei of Bexei Watches and Daniel Jiménez, General Manager of Pita Barcelona.

Visitors to A Journey Through Time VII were enlightened with daily guided tours with knowledgeable watch concierges organized by Starhill Gallery. The visitors were also treated to stunning fashion parades and nightly gala dinners with delectable world cuisine. As accompaniment, the closing dinner crowd was serenaded by Australia’s Got Talent 2009 winner Mark Vincent who took to the stage in a spectacular end of show finale.

Starhill Gallery houses over 120 of the world’s finest watches and jewellery brands in Kuala Lumpur with new flagship stores opening every year since the inception of A Journey Through Time in 2007. Internationally renowned names appearing at the event this year included Jaegar-LeCoultre, Bedat & Co., Richard Mille, Maîtres du Temps, Hublot, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard, Boucheron and Gübelin.

In addition to these stellar brands, this year Starhill Gallery also welcomed new international boutiques to Malaysia, including Garrard. Dubbed as the oldest jewellery brand in the world since 1735, Garrard’s masterpieces had ornamented British royalty for centuries. For this reason, Starhill Gallery is very honoured to be the exclusive setting for Garrard’s first standalone boutique outside of the United Kingdom. Another grand highlight this year for Starhill Gallery is the opening of the first ever boutique of the Italian jewellery brand Damiani in Malaysia, in conjunction with A Journey Through Time VII. With this, Starhill Gallery proves Kuala Lumpur to be a shopping destination to be reckoned with.

The spectacular event together with the support of these international brands upheld Starhill Gallery’s status as Malaysia’s premium shopping centre which offers shopping privileges and a duty-free haven for the world’s biggest names in high-end timepieces and jewellery.

Antoine Bakhache of Mouawad posing with Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen  & Miss Msia Universe 2013 wearing the L'Incomparable after winning the Tourism Malaysia Most Revered Award

Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen greeting the guests at a Journey Through Time VII

Tan Sri Dato' Dr Francis Yeoh delivering his speech at A Journey Through Time VII's closing gala dinner

The Winners of the Watch & Jewellery Award of The Year at A Journey Through Time VII

See you in my next blog post.

With love,
Silviana.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME VII AT STARHILL GALLERY KUALA LUMPUR

OFFICIAL OPENING OF A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME VII AT STARHILL GALLERY KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 November 2013 – A Journey Through Time VII, Asia’s grandest luxury watch and jewellery showcase, endorsed by The Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, for the seventh consecutive year will run from the 22^nd November to the closing ceremony on 29^th November 2013. Visitors attending the showcase can expect to discover the latest and most unique collections from world-renowned watch and jewellery brands.

The exhibition of limited edition watches and exquisite jewellery will not be the only special highlight visitors have to look forward to over the next seven days with an exciting range of planned activities lined up, including fashion parades, delectable cuisine and performances by New Zealand Pop-opera trio Tre-Belle, Australia’s Got Talent 2009 winner, Mark Vincent and as the opening act, a magnificent performance from Belgian singing sensation Yannick Bovy, who outshone even the most sparkling diamonds on show.

Media and watch connoisseurs alike gathered on the opening night to witness the launch of A Journey Through Time VII.  The Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Y.B. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Tan Sri Abdul Aziz said, “An event we can truly be proud of, A Journey Through Time, is Starhill Gallery’s most elegant event of the year and plays a major role in diversifying retail activities in Malaysia. The Ministry of Tourism & Culture shares these same goals as we constantly seek new ways to promote Malaysia as an international destination of choice.”

Addressing the audience, Y.B. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri continued, “Recently announced this year, we were delighted that CNN recognised our achievements and established Kuala Lumpur as the fourth best shopping city in the world two years in a row, ahead of Hong Kong, Paris and Dubai.”

Tan Sri Dato (Dr.) Francis Yeoh, took to the stage to speak on behalf of YTL Corporation, said, “Starhill Gallery is a landmark of distinction and home to over 120 of the world’s leading luxury brands. We feel privileged to hold A Journey Through Time for the seventh consecutive year and we are equally proud to be in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia and play what we hope will be an ongoing role in representing Malaysia as a country which can provide high-end shopping opportunities on a global level.”

The abundance of luxury watch and jewellery items to grace A Journey Through Time VII over the next coming days will draw attention from keen-eyed timepiece enthusiasts and expert connoisseurs who will be attuned to the intricate details and excellent craftsmanship of those exhibited. Those who pass through the doors of Starhill Gallery will be guided through the Indulge and Adorn floors to view some of the most rare and unique watch and jewellery collections available in the world. Swiss Auctions will be auctioning over 200 of the world’s rarest timepieces in conjunction with the event and visitors will also have the chance to meet with world famous watchmakers Aaron Becsei of Bexei Watches and Aniceto Jimenez Pita of Pita Barcelona, all courtesy of Swiss Auctions.

In conjunction with, A Journey Through Time VII, the Italian jewellery brand Damiani has opened its first boutique in Malaysia and Garrard one of the oldest jewellers in the world, has opened its first standalone boutique outside of the United Kingdom. Mouawad opened its refurbished boutique at Starhill Gallery just in time for last night’s unveiling of the enchanting USD $55 million dollar L’Incomparable necklace, certified by the Guinness World Records as the most valuable neckpiece in the world.

Last night’s opening ceremony attendees were rewarded with a showcase of inarguably beautiful highlights, including Bedat & Co.’s Ref. 327.555.909 timepiece designed with the finest of art deco elegance in mind and featuring a sparkling diamond exterior and mother of pearl dial. Gubelin’s Belize necklace, showcasing a breath-taking 4.17 carat Madagascar blue oval sapphire was also not to be missed.

A Journey Through Time VII will culminate into a spectacular finale on the 29^th November 2013 with the highly anticipatedWatch and Jewellery of the Year Awards ceremony showcasing some of the world’s most exquisite pieces vying for a place as the winner. This year, a new category the Starhill Gallery Timeless Jewellery Award, has been entered to the awards ceremony that will pay homage to the many world-renowned jewellery brands to feature for the first time at A Journey Through Time.

For more information, enthusiasts can keep up to date with A Journey Through Time VII on Starhill Gallery’s Luxury Channel with an all-access online pass to the other stellar events accessed here http://www.starhillgallery.com/sglc/.  There will be the chance to win prizes, watch live streaming of gala dinners and entertainment, highlights of boutique launches, unveilings of new collections and in case you missed it, you can watch videos of the opening ceremony, as well as interviews with watch experts.

The spectacular event upholds Starhill Gallery’s status as Malaysia’s premium shopping destination and there is also Tourist Privilege card available where tourists will be offered shopping privileges in a duty-free haven of the world’s biggest names in high-end timepieces and jewellery.

Managing Director of YTL Corporation Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato (Dr.) Francis Yeoh and Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Y.B. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Tan Sri Abdul Aziz (from left)

Managing Director of YTL Corporation Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato (Dr.) Francis Yeoh and Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Y.B. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Tan Sri Abdul Aziz (from left)

Models showcasing highlight pieces for AJTT VII from different principals including the USD55 million L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace from Mouawad, Chapter One Round Transparence watch developed by world renowned watchmakers Peter Speake-Marin, Christophe Claret and Roger Dubuis by Maitres du Temps and the exquisite 10.780 carat ladies watch from Bedat & Co. on stage  (from left)

See ya in the next post,

Silviana.

EVENT: A Journey Through Time VII, True Luxury is made from True Mastery

Hi guys,

Time is ticking down to the most significant annual horology event of the year, 

A Journey Through Time VII. Asia’s grandest luxury watch and jewellery showcase, with the continuous support of Tourism Malaysia for the past 6 years, the international event will run for its seventh consecutive year from the 22nd of November until the 29th of November, 2013 (mark your calendar now! *hohoho*). 

2012-AJTT VI Award night

This year’s edition is lined up to be the biggest yet. Just some of the names to be found at Starhill Gallery during A Journey Through Time VII include Rolex, Franck Muller, Mouawad, Richard Mille, Bedat & Co, Chopard, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Hublot, Audemars Piguet, and Carrera y Carrera. Joining the stellar list of brands located at Starhill Gallery, and using the glamorous occasion to introduce themselves to Malaysia, are renowned Italian jewellery brand, Damiani, and the oldest jewellers in the world, Garrard, while Mouawad will reintroduce themselves with a newly refurbished outlet. 

2012-AJTT VI Bedat & Co booth

A Journey Through Time VII will be the platform for the unveiling of the latest and most innovative collections of pristine watches and glamorous jewellery pieces. A Journey Through Time VII will showcase over RM1 billion worth of first-in-market editions of luxurious watches and jewellery, including, for a limited period of time, Mouawad’s US$55 million L'Incomparable 637ct diamond necklace, which is a record-breaking necklace designed around the yellow Incomparable Diamond that is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most valuable neckpiece in the world.

Also set to feature at the event is Cecil Purnell’s Lady Lacroix second edition, an inaugural ladies’ piece and Bedat & Co’s sterling diamond studded Ref 327. The required intricate inner workings of a carefully constructed timepiece is embodied by Maîtres du Temps’ Chapter One Transparence and jewellery lovers can fall for Garrard’s heirloom of tomorrow, the Tudor Rose collection. Damiani will feature prestigious items, including the Bloody Mary - an inspired-by-royalty necklace and the Blue Moon; earrings from a collection theme called ‘Jewels as a Dream’. The quality of luxury jewellery available at A Journey Through Time VII is of the highest standard, and none more so than Gübelin’s Belize collection, which encompasses beauty through the use of delicate diamonds and sapphires adorned on 18ct white gold.

2012-AJTT VI Masterpiece of Creation Exhibition

The level of rare and unique watches showcased will be unprecedented as Swiss Auctions, a glamorous platform that specialises in auctioneering the rarest of timepieces, becomes part of A Journey Through Time, bringing over 200 of the world’s rarest timepieces with a variety of clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches. Enthusiasts will be able to view and admire the watches before having a chance to acquire them in an auction on the 28th of November, 2013. In addition to the auction, Swiss Auctions will have highly skilled and world renowned Swiss watchmakers giving demonstrations and five independent watch brands will feature throughout A Journey Through Time in conjunction with Swiss Auctions. 

2012-AJTT VI Model

The Omega Co-Axial Exhibition will bring to A Journey Through Time VII an insight to the mechanical innovation found within each of their exquisite mechanical timepieces with an eight-day exhibition, highlighting the level of precision involved in creating each component. This unique exhibition will be a first for Malaysia and will showcase some of Omega’s key milestone timepieces that have featured in their illustrious history as well as offer visitors an opportunity to browse and shop from the brand’s line of luxurious timepieces following their tour through Omega’s revolutionary Co-Axial legacy. 

2012-AJTT VI Performance- The Leading Man, Australia

The highly anticipated Watch of the Year Awards Ceremony will be held on the final night. Prestigious awards such as Tourism Malaysia’s Most Revered and Complication in Movement will be hotly contested while there will be the addition of a brand new award category; Starhill Gallery’s Timeless Jewellery Award, highlighting the most exquisite jewellery piece of the year. The winners will be determined by an esteemed panel of judges which includes watch experts Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh and Dr. Bernard Cheong and several other highly respected timepiece and jewellery experts. 

A Journey Through Time will uphold Starhill Gallery’s status as Malaysia’s most luxurious shopping destination, and with the continuous support of Tourism Malaysia, offer shopping privileges such as a duty-free haven for the world’s biggest names in high-end timepieces and jewellery, all of which will contribute to making Malaysia a recognised global retail destination. 

A Journey Through Time VII is the pinnacle of mastery when it comes to showcasing true luxury. 

For more information, please visit Website: http://www.starhillgallery.com/ or Facebook: Starhill Gallery

Re-blog from www.choulyin.com 

(Guys, do visit her blog as well as she has lots of interesting posts to share with you all)

See you guys in my next blog post and as always, stay chic.

With love,

Silviana.