TIMEPIECE

The 14th annual Central International Watch Fair 2012 (CIWF), Southeast Asia's biggest watch retail event, is now in progress at the Events Hall on the 3rd floor of Central Chidlom.

"This year's event presents outstanding wristwatches, new collections, and limited edition models from more than 180 highly-respected watch brands with a total value of over 5 billion baht," said Nidsinee Chirathivat, executive vice-president Merchandising of Central Department Store. "They are the collections unveiled earlier this year at BaselWorld, the most prestigious international watch fair held in Switzerland."

The watch trend at BaselWorld 2012 showed styles, size and colours mattered most. The vintage trend reigned supreme with many leading watch manufacturers revisiting historic models and coming up with modern reinterpretations, incorporating more innovative movements, design materials and intricately reworking on details. From a jewellery standpoint, many stunning collections were launched dedicated to women _ some being smaller versions of previous issues meant for more slender wrists of Asian women.

Nidsinee Chirathivat, executive vice-president Merchandising for Central Department Store.

For convenience, the area watches are on display is divided into three zones, labelled Luxury, Hi-end and Mid-range, said Nidsinee.

Respected watch brands present at the fair include Blancpain, Carl F. Bucherer, Century, Corum, DeLaCour, Franck Muller, Breitling, Charriol, Frederique Constant, Gucci, Hermes, Longines, Maurice Lacroix, Omega, Oris, Rado, Raymond Weil, Seiko, Swarovski, Tag Heuer, Burberry, Casio, Citizen, Diesel, DKNY, Emporio Armani, Gaga Milano, Glam Rock, Guess, Issey Miyake, Luminox, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Technomarine, Tendence, Tissot, Toy Watch, TW Steel and Vebene.

Highlight jewellery timepieces include Sarcar The North Star valued at 73,750,000 baht, and two classics from Piaget _ the Limelight Jazz Party priced at 14,000,000 baht and the Limelight Coussin Shape valued at 65,000,000 baht _ as well as the stylish Franck Muller Lady Tourbillon Automatic worth 5,500,000 baht.

Other exquisite timepieces include Parmigiani Tonda 1950 (820,000 baht), Zenith Captain Tourbillon (2,387,000 baht), Carl F. Bucherer Manero ChronoPerpetual (1,828,100 baht), Corum Golden Bridge Tourbillon (7,600,000 baht), Ulysse Nardin El Toro (2,689,000 baht), Hublot Classic Fusion Extra-Thin Skeleton (1,313,000 baht), Breitling Trans-ocean Chronograph Unitime (422,900 baht), Romain Jerome Space Invaders (634,700 baht), Frederique Constant Slimline Tourbillon (1,400,000 baht), Raymond Weil Freelance Urban Black (145,090 baht), Oris Artix GT Chronograph (109,900 baht) and more.

Limited edition models include Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Roue Caree Seconde (1,210,000 baht), Longines La Grande Classic de Longines 180th Anniversary (235,000 baht), Grand Seiko Automatic GMT 10th Anniversary (249,500 baht), Salvatore Ferragamo Idillio (168,000 baht), Tissot PRS 330 Tony Parker (23,600 baht), and Vabene Adesso Tourbillon (94,900 baht).

"This year's event is also very special as it is part of Central's 65th anniversary celebrations. So, watch-lovers and collectors can expect to see many special sale campaigns and rewarding promotions we have worked out with leading credit cards. We will also offer many tempting gifts such as cash coupons and a new iPad 32G," said Nidsinee.