Luxury timepiece retailer opens new boutique

(Second from left) Phoo, Lee, Yap, Teh, Chan, Le Rolland and Nguyen cutting the ribbon during the grand opening of The Hour Glass boutique at Gurney Plaza. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

WATCH enthusiasts and collectors now have a new place to hang out in as The Hour Glass’s 10th Malaysian boutique opened in Gurney Plaza, Penang, its first outside of Kuala Lumpur.

The new boutique is an oasis of coastal chic and luxury that brings the latest novelties from the watchmaking capitals of the world to Penang. It also aims to capture the spirit of Penang as an island with a rich past and an auspicious future.

The Hour Glass Malaysia general manager SK Teh said no two boutiques were the same and the one in Gurney Plaza was inspired by the state’s coastal connection.

“Natural stone and timber form the bones of the RM4mil boutique while sumptuous leather and delicate metal detailing respectively soften and highlight the interiors,” he said at the opening of the boutique.

“Carved out spaces create individual display areas for The Hour Glass’s constellation of brands to showcase their DNA and latest novelties. Breitling, Girard-Perregaux, Grand Seiko, Hublot, Nomos, Sinn-Spezialuhren, TAG Heuer, Tudor, and Ulysse Nardin are expected to receive a warm reception.”

Teh added that Hublot fans would be especially thrilled with the Swiss watchmaker’s shop-in-a-shop concept.

“Hublot shop interiors are usually black, but the one in Penang is white to reflect the eternal summer of this tropical island.

“Incidentally, this boutique in Penang is the second Hublot shop in the world with a white interior after the one in Mykonos, Greece.

“Time takes on a new dimension with specialty watches like the Big Bang Unico Integrated Beige Ceramic 42mm Limited Edition and the Classic Fusion Chronograph Bol d’or Mirabaud 45mm Special Edition, specially curated for this occasion,” he said.

At the boutique, there is also a special space called “The Apartment”, which is an area for VIP clients. The space has a full kitchen and private dining area.

“Our customers can expect attentive service. We have watch specialists with deep brand and technical expertise to guide the expansion of customers’ personal collections,” said Teh.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Teh was joined by CapitaLand general manager (mall management) Peter Chan, Girard-Perregaux South-East Asia and Oceania brand director Vuong Thong Nguyen, Ulysse Nardin South-East Asia & Oceania brand manager Clemence Le Rolland, Tudor Malaysia business development manager Jeffrey Yap, Breitling Malaysia sales director Phoo Swee Hui and TAG Heuer Malaysia senior sales director Celeste Lee.

Around 100 guests attended the event which was followed a lion dance performance.

The store at Gurney Plaza is located at Lot G-03 and it opens from 10am to 10pm, daily.