AZIMUTH WATCH CO.

Azimuth is one of those trailblazing names that come to mind for those who have ventured knee-deep into Singapore's watchmaking scene.

For the uninitiated, Singapore-founded and Swiss-made Azimuth recently celebrated its 20th anniversary after being founded in 2003 and is credited with some of the most unorthodox and whimsical creations. The brand's crowning glory - Mr.Roboto epitomises what the brand is all about though other creations such as the Spaceship and Chrono Gauge BMF have enjoyed time in the limelight too.

Azimuth's latest creation - the Land Cruiser - is created in the same vein, distinctly Azimuth at first glance with its sci-fi-led appearance. While the Land Cruiser took four years to develop, its blueprint was not designed from scratch as it was based on its predecessor - the World War 1 tank-like SP-1 Landship, unveiled in 2010. Stylistically, the later version spots an all-around sleeker case given its alter ego, a highly classified spacecraft tasked to identify an extraterrestrial threat some 500 light years away. Such is the at times - farfetched imagination that has enriched Azimuth, making it a sidestep from traditional watchmaking codes. Despite its heft, the watch's ergonomics are tuned and dialled in the domed wandering hour on the case top and slanted retrograde minute frame at the 6 o'clock position allows time to be read effectively with minimal fuss.

Given the already imposing real estate the watch takes up, its crown is positioned at the rear end of the case to ensure a clean outline. Earthlings can rest well knowing that 100 pieces of the Land Cruiser are on standby should Earth face an imminent threat.

In conversation with Azimuth Watch Co.founder Christopher Long

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