Elegant indulgence
Dazzling jewellery, innovative timepieces and international performers are just some of the highlights at this year’s A Journey Through Time VI.
LUXURY watch and jewellery showcase, A Journey Through Time (AJTT) returns again carrying the theme, “A Masterpiece of Creation”. Starhill Gallery has hosted the event for the past five years and it features the latest and most innovative collections from many of the world’s leading brands in this celebration of art and creativity.
Joseph Yeoh Keong Shyan, Vice President of YTL Hotels says the team has cultivated a 360 degree sensorial experience encapsulating all five senses – taste, sight, smell, sound and touch.
“Last year, there were spectacular shows with many international artistes from around the world. This year is no different as not only will we be showcasing exquisite timepieces and elegant jewellery, a range of planned festivities have been lined up. These include fashion parades, delectable cuisine by celebrated local Chef Wai, performances by Sheila Hamzah to represent Malaysia’s creative and artistic culture as well as international headline musical artists such as The Leading Men from Australia for all to enjoy.”
It is clear that with each passing year, AJTT has just grown from strength to strength with this year, being no exception – the iconic event is set to bowl you over as it features over 120 leading brands that will be exhibiting the latest editions of luxurious watches and jewellery pieces amounting to approximately RM1bil in value.
“Starhill Gallery has the biggest dedicated watch floor in the world and features renowned brands such as Rolex, Franck Muller, Mouawad, Richard Mille, Bedat & Co, Chopard, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Carrera Y Carrera and Boucheron which are all available throughout AJTT VI,” divulged Yeoh.
With no personal preference for any particular brand, Yeoh did reveal a few key highlights to look out for during the fair saying, “Apart from the launching of world renowned brands Garrard, Maitres du Temps, Cecil Purnell and Gübelin during the event, some of the watches to be eagerly anticipated include Romain Jerome’s Pac Man which is designed after the iconic arcade game, Cecil Purnell’s stylish and provocative Lacroix and Hublot’s unique and extremely rare “5 Million” Big Bang timepiece which possesses over 100 carats of baguette diamonds.”
Elaborating further, he added, “It won’t only be watches that are revealed as Chopard will be launching their desirable Precious Temptations Haute Joailler collection to stun jewellery lovers. Enthusiasts and collectors can also keep an eye out for Boucheron’s striking limited edition Snake Tourbillon jewellery watch with only eight pieces made of this stunning watch which is embezzled with sparkling green emeralds.”
A true celebration of these symbols of luxury, YTL always had a vision: “When we began this festival, we saw that Malaysia at that time and still at this time has the ability to fulfill that vision. With that, we worked with the government and the initiative of pushing the government to lift duty on high end watches and jewellery.”
“We also wanted Starhill Gallery to not only be seen as a mall but to be seen, along with KL city, as a destination for high end retail. Of course, the tourists will follow helping us achieve I think one of our biggest challenges and that is to be visible a global perspective while highlighting Malaysia and KL as a tourist destination for high end global spending. An ever progressing goal of ours.”
So what is the bigger picture of this vision?
“For AJTT, if compared to other watch fairs around the world like the Basel Watch Fair, 55% of the visitors to the Basel Watch Fair this year are all from Asia which really makes you wonder why Malaysia can’t be a centre for a luxury watch and jewellery fair and that’s what we’re doing – to become Asia’s premier watch festival.”
With it going into its sixth consecutive year, AJTT VI is proof that no time is being wasted.
A Journey Through Time is running from Nov 22 to Dec 1, 2012 at Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.