Modelled on the Royal Oak wristwatch, the Audemars Piguet Floral Clock is a gift to Singapore for its 50th year of independence, on display at Gardens by the Bay.

Seven metres, or some 23 feet, in diameter, the Audemars Piguet Floral Clock is the largest and only such clock in Singapore. Combining horology, landscaping and floriculture, the clock is a gift from the Swiss watchmaking to Singapore, which celebrates its Golden Jubilee in 2015.

Taking several weeks to construct (the process is detailed in photos at the end), the clock is a replica of the Royal Oak, with an octagonal bezel made of granite with weather resistant, stainless steel octagonal nuts. And each of the steel hour markers have embedded LED lights so indicate the time at night.

Based on the tapisserie guilloche of the Royal Oak, the checkerboard dial of the clock is filled with over 20 varieties of tropical plants. Because the plants mature at different rates, the face of the clock will change with the seasons as the plants are refreshed.

The official opening of the clock, attended by (from left): Dr. Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, Mr Oliviero Bottinelli, Member of the Board of Directors, Audemars Piguet Holding SA, Guest-of-Honour and Minister for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, and Mr Thomas Kupfer, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation

The pink Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) for instance is a perennial plant that will last for numerous seasons, making it a semipermanent part of the dial. In contrast the purple Wishbone Flower (Torenia fournieri) lasts only a year.

Madagascar Periwinkle

Wishbone Flower

The clock mechanism is electric, with a receiver for GPS satellite time signals to keep it running on time. It’s located less than five minutes away on foot from the visitor centre of Gardens by the Bay, a 101 hectare seaside park located at Marina Bay, adjacent to the city’s business district. For more information, visit Gardens by the Bay.

Laying the concrete base

Constructed the concrete tapisserie grid

Installing the granite bezel

Welding of the steel components like the hour markers

Planting

Photo credits: Gardens by the Bay

Bulgari has unveiled the new Diagono Scuba, an evolution of its 1990s classic with the same recognisable style but larger and equipped with the BVL191 Solotempo calibre.

Introduced in 1994, the Bulgari Diagono Scuba was one of the first luxury dive watches with a laid-back charm that made it a hit, becoming one of the most fashionable of the decade. Now Bulgari has redesigned the Scuba, keeping its signature aesthetic while making significant improvements, including an in-house self-winding movement. With a 41mm case diameter, the Diagono Scuba has the same notched diver’s bezel found on the original, along with similarly styled dial and hands. The BVL191 Solotempo movement inside is an in-house calibre without COSC certification, hence the cleaner dial (the original was a certified chronometer and marked as such on the dial). And the new Scuba is also rated to 300m, compared to 200m on the first generation.

Another key difference is the rubber strap, now comprised of single piece sections on both sides. The original had an articulated rubber strap with metal hinges, a unique feature that was a brand signature but costly to replace (the gold models had gold hinges). 

The original Diagono Scuba, c. 1994

The new Scuba is available in four guises: steel with bracelet or strap, steel and rose gold, as well as rose gold on strap. It starts at US$6750 or S$8810 in steel with the rubber strap, while the top of the line rose gold model is priced at US$25,200 or S$32,900.