IF YOU HAD NOT HEARD of Laurent Picciotto before, you might have at least heard that in 2017, he put the majority of his personal timepieces up for sale at the Phillips' Hong Kong watch auction while attempting to restart his collection. For the unacquainted, he's an influential man in the watch industry. He's one of the "Fs" (friends) in MB&F; he also co-founded Richard Mille while Mille was still president of Mauboussin. Though Picciotto's store on Rue Saint Honoré started as a Gérald Genta boutique in 1988, the man is "brand blind", carrying nearly all of the independents from MB&F to H. Moser, as well as "mainstream" names like Breguet and Tudor.
"I love watches and I like the people behind the craziness," Picciotto tells Augustman over a Zoom call on a Friday evening. "I don't care about brands, what is important for me is the product. That's why Chronopassion is different from other retailers. For sure retailers want to carry what's really popular, but retailers must also remember that we are in a position to surprise people with what we offer. If we're on the same taste frequency, it becomes much more fun. My vision may be a high proposition but this has been my goal since the beginning."
Suffice it to say, just looking at the many unique collaborations and prototypes up for sale back then, he enjoys an extremely close relationship with all his brand partners compared to classic retailers. "We have embarked on many adventures (collaborations) because I am deeply passionate about things I believe in," he says animatedly. "I'm always glad to be among the first to represent the brand and support the people behind the brand. This proximity has given me many opportunities to do special editions since the beginning."
When you say you don't care about the brands, does this mean you ignore the "prestige" associated with the brands?
Denne historien er fra Issue 183-utgaven av August Man SG.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 183-utgaven av August Man SG.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The One That Started It All
Girard-Perregaux celebrates 49 years of the Laureato, the timepiece that helped to kick-start the popularity of steel sports timepieces.
Return To Mont Blanc
Wes Anderson Brought US To Montblanc's Fictional Headquarters Several Months Ago. Now, He Shows Us More From The Collection.
Manners Maketh Man
The Principle Of Style Is Character, And The Core Of Character Is Conduct.
Slow Travel In Switzerland
The Swiss public transport system certainly aces the luxe factor with eye popping train rides, indulgent multi-course meals on a Belle Epoque era steamship, and even efficient luggage transport services.
A NEW DAWN IN SOLAR ENERGY
AUGUSTMAN SPEAKS TO MANDALA CLUB CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER LILLY GILBERT ABOUT THE MOVEMENT THAT COULD CHANGE HOW BUSINESSES IN KEONG SAIK ARE POWERED THE MANDALA SOLAR COLLECTIVE.
THE POWER OF THREE
ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC IMAGES IN SINGAPORE TOOK THE FORM OF KOKILA PARVATHI, SITI AMIRAH (ALSO KNOWN AS CAMIRA ASRORI) AND SOBIKUN NAHAR ON THEIR WAY TO COURT. AUGUSTMAN SPEAKS TO THEM ABOUT THEIR IDEAS ON COMMUNITY ORGANSING, AND ABOUT RETHINKING OUR THOUGHTS ON POWER.
FLIGHT OF THE NARISAWA BEE
The esteemed Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa shares with us the intimate details of his brand's expansion into Singapore and what having the Mandala Club as its permanent address means to him.
DRINK THROUGH SPACE AND TIME
Preferably with a dram of The Macallan, in hand. The famed whisky maker celebrates 200 years of making perfection.
AND BUTCHER'S BLOCK MAKES IT THREE
SINGAPORE'S CHAPTER OF THE DOM PÉRIGNON SOCIETY HAS INDUCTED A THIRD MEMBER, RAFFLES SINGAPORE'S BUTCHER'S BLOCK, GIVING DISCERNING DINERS BETTER ACCESS TO THE EPICUREAN SAVOIR FAIRE THAT COMES WITH THE MARK OF THE SOCIETY.
AMERICAN SPIRIT
ROB SAMUELS, THE EIGHTH-GENERATION WHISKY-MAKER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MAKER'S MARK, EXPLAINS WHY THE BRAND'S CELLAR AGED EXPRESSION IS A PEAK INTO THE FUTURE OF BOURBON.
