There's this pencil that I swiped from my room at Hotel de Horlogers in Le Brassus, Switzerland. With a body crafted out of recycled materials, it featured a transparent cap with fine black particles within, instead of a traditional eraser.
I owe my fascination with this pencil to the hotel's general manager Andre Cheminade, who introduced me to the intriguing story behind it. He highlighted that even seemingly trivial items like a pencil should reflect the hotel's commitment to environmental sustainability. The cap on the pencil is a pharmaceutical-grade capsule that dissolves upon contact with water, and the black particles are, in fact, thyme seeds. Once you've used up the pencil, you can plant the end with the capsule directly into soil. With regular watering, the capsule dissolves, the seeds germinate, and while the pencil's life concludes, new beginnings emerge in the form of a plant.
This marks my second stay at Hotel des Horlogers, a property built and owned by Audemars Piguet. On my initial visit, the hotel was in its trial phase and was not yet officially open. But even then, I found myself deeply impressed by its design.
From the street-side, it exuded modesty, appearing to consist of only a single floor. However, upon entering the building, it suddenly becomes apparent that the level visible from the street is but the top floor of this six-storey establishment.
The building, constructed in a distinctive zig-zag configuration along the slope, descends layer by layer without any overlap between the floors. Below the incline, an extensive farmland unfolds. Rather than imposing itself as a jarring presence upon the meadow, Hotel des Horlogers humbly integrates with the land, as if it has always been a part of the slope.
Esta historia es de la edición December 2023 de Prestige Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2023 de Prestige Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
TRIUMPH OF IMAGINATION
Cartier’s latest limited-edition Tutti Tutti jewellery collection is a joyful expression of the house’s boundless creativity and commitment to pushing design boundaries.
Dancing on a Palate
Singapore is a haven for gourmets seeking the next must-visit food spots. Here are four that offer flavours from the region and beyond.
THE X FACTOR
Geely’s Zeekr X is an all-electric poweiimes of a compact SUV that packs plenty of Scandinavian charm into a sumptuous cabin.
MISSION TO ENGAGE
Filmmaker HE SHUMING crafts his stories of human connection with the aim of sparking the magic of cinema.
PORT OF DELIGHT
The Douro Valley, the home of port wine, offers more than just exceptional vintages. Here, visitors are immersed in centuries-old winemaking traditions, luxurious retreats and awe-inspiring landscapes.
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
The Paraiba tourmaline has become the gemstone du jour, a stunning showcase of electric blue and green capturing the hearts of their wearers. But what exactly is it about these vibrant gems that has caught the world's attention?
A House of Enchantment
Van Cleef & Arpels' Asia Pacific president JULIE CLODY MEDINA sheds light on the enduring popularity of the classic Alhambra, and why the jewellery maison is on a mission to share its savoir-faire with the widest possible audience.
Wonder in Every Moment
From a Santos-Dumont that tells the time backwards to the Reflections bracelet watch that mirrors a dial using a polished surface, Cartier's latest timepieces revolve around the theme of magic. Cartier image, style and heritage director PIERRE RAINERO shares more.
IN PERFECT HARMONY
breathes fresh life into one of its oldest watch families inspired by a classical design principle.
HEAVENLY HOST
Capella Hotel group president CRISTIANO RINALDI reveals what the World's Best Hotel Brand has in store.