ARCTURUS WATCHES

A watchmaker that wears its Singaporean roots on its sleeve (or should we say wrist?), all of Arcturus' releases to date lean heavily on its island home for design inspiration.

For instance, the LC-1 which stands for Lion City-1-blends classic 1920s Art Deco features in the dial architecture, Roman numerals, minute track, and date wheel font with modern technology in the double-domed and Anti-Reflective (AR) coated front sapphire crystal.

This horological expression of Singapore's blend of cultures and historical and modern architecture is carried over into the watchmaker's latest release, the LC-2 Vanda Tourbillon. As its name suggests, the timepiece is inspired by Singapore's national flower - the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid - and this inspiration is visibly manifest in motifs on both the dial side and the caseback.

In terms of design cues, Arcturus wisely decided to bring back the 1920s Art Deco-styled Roman numerals and minute track from the LC-1 - albeit in a more rounded shape. That said, the similarities with the LC-1 ends there. The LC-2 has a more rounded case and in an additional sporty-retro detail - features an onion crown, typically found on classic pilot watches. More obviously, the LC-2 sports a tourbillon movement specifically, the Peacock SL5200 flying tourbillon movement - which is a huge statement of intent from the brand, given how not many local brands have attempted to craft watches around the complication. Regarding dial material, the LC-2 also incorporates new dial materials, with aventurine, green malachite and white guilloche variants. While the aventurine and white guilloche options are both classy options, the green malachite adds a pop of colour, fun, and personality to the timepiece. This bold and charming fun drives Arcturus as a watchmaker is well-embodied here.

In conversation with Arcturus Watches Founder Alexander Loh

WHEN WAS ARCTURUS FOUNDED, AND HOW HAS THE BRAND'S GROWTH JOURNEY BEEN?