A few years ago in 2015, I visited Singapore mostly for pleasure but also to meet some business contacts. At this period of time, I predominantly focused on horology and this city is crazy about watches. One of the meetings was with Michael Tay who is the Chief executive of luxury retailer group the Hour Glass. Their Malmaison flagship store was located to my hotel on Orchard Road, which is synonymous for its exclusive shops. Even though my time with Michael was limited, he was an absolute gentleman. Unconditionally, he let me try on and test some of the boutiques most expensive watches. Most of these timepieces were from Swiss Haute Horlogerie brands like MB & F, Richard Mille, Vianney Halter and Urwerk.
Since my visit to Singapore four years ago there has been an emergence of small microbrands that have established themselves in this region. One of the largest players is a group called TERRA VIVENDI GROUP (TVG) that manage the distribution and marketing for many labels including Achtung. This brand takes its name from the German word ‘Alert’ and certainly, their bold watches are designed to attract attention.
I have always been enticed by bold industrial style watches and that is why the Racing Skeleton by Achtung really appeals to me. With a square case measuring 47mm x 47mm, it is slightly bigger than the Bell & Ross BR 01 but wears pretty similar. Certainly, I own and even have designed much larger timepieces. However, most people would be happy with these proportions as they are not too exaggerated. With the exception of formal events and extreme sports, this watch is practical for most occasions.
Visually, the Racing Skeleton punches well above its weight and has the appearance of a much more expensive watch. In fact, it has a similar aesthetic to the Bell & Ross BR-X1 but at a fraction of the price ($650). I love the skeletonised silver dial, which exposes all the mechanical elements of the Japanese 21-jewel Miyota 82S5 movement. This mechanism has become a favourite with microbrands targeting the entry-level market. Other features include contrasting bold red numerals and open-worked hour-minute hands. Overall the industrial composition is very effective and the finishing is high quality.
For more information about the Racing Skeleton follow this link
