It feels like there is an Hour Glass store at practically every main street corner in Singapore, but the Hour Glass store that rules them all is situated on Bideford Road, just off Orchard and right next to Paragon. Fashioned under the name Malmaison and having sat at that location since 2011, the opulent enclave of 745m² is largely under the radar to the common pedestrian, despite the fact that what is housed inside could well become your most lush watch-buying experience ever. Even a local tour guide confirms that most Singaporeans are oblivious to the lavish encounter that awaits inside.
"Generally, everybody knows the Hour Glass, but not as many people know about this place -- this is like another level. I walk past it all the time myself, but never knew before that there were more than timepieces here."
If the corporate cobalt or crown motifs bores you, pop by to this paradise of timepieces that is the island nation's first to present a residential retail concept. As the name implies, it feels like stepping into someone's home -- in particular, that of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Empress Josephine. Rather than shopping in Singapore, it will feel like you're shopping in one of the boutiques on Rue Saint-Honoré, with this Euro-riche luxury emporium, influenced by Napoleon's grand country home, Chateau de Malmaison. Another branch just opened in Kuala Lumpur last year, but this is the ultimate flagship if you want a top-notch experience, being the only destination where non-watch luxury items are also available.
As you step into the Great Hall, you'll encounter dark, masculine wood works offset by shiny gold structures. With brands from Audemars Piguet to Zenith, with houses that only produce a few hundred timepieces per year -- like F.P. Journe -- thrown into the mix, a comprehensive selection for varying tastes is on display for perusal. In terms of product lines, what is offered here does not differ from other Hour Glass stores; however, entry-level pieces start at a higher price at Malmaison. The aristocrat and the rich merchant (Patek Philippe and Rolex, respectively) have their own salons housed on the ground floor.
The opulent trinkets are also likely to distract. There are exquisite items to be found here for the true luxury connoisseur, be they insect-shaped cuff links by Begum Khan (S$250-550 SGD; 5,900-13,000 baht), Dita sunglasses or even a Leica M-P ($35,000) with a fully matte brass finish, exclusively created for the Hour Glass's 35th anniversary. The Gentlemen's Corner before the staircase is home to Singapore-born Ethan K bespoke leather goods, but to the right before you go upstairs is the Napoleon Room, which lets visitors look at timepieces off their feet. Expect nothing less than plush velvet seats so you can inspect Parmigiani pieces in a thematically blue chamber -- this being Napoleon's favourite colour.
The upper storey, finally, gives way to females and is inspired by Josephine. There is a large contrast in the design, as upstairs is much more vibrant, the lighting designed to look natural. Because the empress loved nature, there are lots of floral and green patterns as the main thread, while art, antiques and taxidermy surround more watch showcases.
Clearly, there will be a share of high-end candles and perfume, and the ultimate pleasures of Frederic Malle can be tested here. The French perfume brand just reached our shores a few months back, but for the past seven years at Malmaison, fragrance columns have been sitting on their second floor so visitors can achieve an intensified sense of smell for testing the fragrances. As the column closes off all other scents, this advanced contraption allows one to whiff right from the air if they aren't keen on testing it on paper or on the skin. Continuing on that fun streak, there is also a selection of "stink" bombs from French candle-maker Cire Trudon. A set of five bombs start at $70, and the way to use these glass vials is to throw them onto the floor for an explosion of stylish scents.
Upstairs is also where Taschen's pensive book corner sits, while the Constellation Room -- sanctuary to a beautiful starry ceiling -- is the exclusively private space where events are hosted and customers lounge to smoke cigars and drink whiskey. Don't turn down an invitation to this beautifully decked hideaway if you ever get one, and don't miss getting a closer look at the antique Patek Philippe electronic master control clock, which once told the time at Zurich Airport.
Visit Malmaison by The Hour Glass at Knightsbridge, 270 Orchard Road, Singapore. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-8.30pm, Sun 11.30am-8pm.
