Post by Valentin Marteau

Inside the world of Swiss watches in Asia: my firsthand impressions from Singapore and beyond. 🌏⌚️ Since arriving in Singapore in March 2025 for Panerai, I’ve visited over 50 watch boutiques, mainly in Singapore but also in Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, and Taiwan. What struck me most is how central Singapore is to watchmaking in South East Asia. 🏆 Most Maisons have their SEAO flagships here in Singapore, with a clear focus on high-end pieces of their collections. The retail landscape is a mix of brand-owned boutiques (Richemont or Swatch Group) and powerful distributors such as The Hour Glass or Cortina Watch for Singapore. 💫 Some brands push the boundaries of experience even further. I remember visiting the AP House near the Raffles Hotel in Singapore — it felt more like a living space than a boutique. I also had the chance to attend and help organize intimate or large-scale events with Panerai, such as our local Watches & Wonders 2025 experience, which gave me a unique perspective on how brands engage with their local clients. 📈I also noticed the strong rise of independent brands in people’s minds (MB&F, H.Moser & Cie. or F.P. Journe, to mention just a few), as well as the vitality of the vintage and secondary market, where highly limited pieces, usually unavailable in official stores, are often found, especially the most “hyped” references Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and of course ROLEX. 😱But what impressed me the most is the watch culture itself: almost everyone here wears something on the wrist, from highly limited independents to iconic Rolex, Panerai, Cartier, or other Swiss brand pieces, whether for status, a love of craftsmanship, or sheer passion for Swiss watchmaking. People know the brands, the stories, and the latest releases in remarkable detail. 🤝I am truly grateful to be able to live and share my passion for watchmaking, even 12,000 km away from the Swiss manufactures and the cradles of watchmaking. 📲You can follow my journey on Instagram : https://lnkd.in/eGuuGyMf #swisswatches #Singapore #Panerai