IT WAS all about time last Saturday… luxury Swiss-made timepieces to be precise.
The exclusive by-invitation only event was brought to you by Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), through its Perdana Privilege Banking Division. In partnership with BIBD was Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), which was the exclusive airline partner, assisting to transport the special collection of horological timepieces to Brunei Darussalam.
As part of its commitment to support and promote Bruneian businesses, the key focus was on Brunei’s very first watch entrepreneur Keeran Dato Janin, with his brand Avantist.
Alongside Keeran were H Moser & Cie and Hautlence, two independent watchmakers that have made a serious name in the watch-making world, and have garnered respect from their larger peers.
It was a first for Brunei to have these two major names in the country. MELB Asia Ltd CEO Bertrand Meylan and H Moser & Cie International Director of Sales Nicholas Hofmann represented the two Swiss brands.
Well known for his beautiful jewellery-work, Keeran has expanded into the watch-making business, co-founding and establishing his business in Switzerland where the watches are being made. Guests got a very special opportunity for a ‘pre-launch preview’ of a few of his ‘Legend Series’ of watches, which Keeran will be launching internationally in the next few months at Wimbledon, a befitting venue given that his first range of watches is to be based on two legendary tennis stars, Martina Navratilova and Leander Paes.
Keeran Dato Janin, Co-Founder & CEO of Avantist Watches SARL, with two of Martina Navratilova’s tennis racquets behind
A limited edition Avantist watch displayed before the international launch in Wimbledon
FROM LEFT: Nicholas Hofmann from H Moser & Cie; Bertrand Meylan, MELB Asia Ltd (owners of both swiss brands); Rohani binti Haji Md Salleh, Head of Perdana Privileged Banking at BIBD; Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Jaafar, Head of Retail Banking Group, BIBD; a representative from Royal Brunei Airlines as the official airline partner; Keeran Dato Janin, CEO of Avantist Watches SARL; and Nor Zachary Nordin, Executive Assistant to the CEO, Avantist Watches SARL
A rare piece in Brunei: Only 10 of these ever made, the Heritage Tourbillion, is based on the Original H Moser watch from the 19th Century
Each series of watches, made of titanium, is limited to 30 pieces only as they shall contain strings from racquets used to win their grand slams such as in Wimbledon, Paris and Australia. Limited due to the production numbers and unique as future owners of these watches will literally have a piece of history in the hands.
Not only were guests able to see and try on the watches, they were also entertained with a very insightful panel talk from all three brands, where everyone had the opportunity to know the brands and understand the challenges of the watch business.
A first in Brunei to have an opportunity to listen to industry players in watchmaking, showing the commitment by BIBD and Perdana Privilege Banking to bring the best opportunities and experiences for its Perdana Privilege Banking members.
Present to kick-off the event with opening remarks was Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Mohd Jaafar, BIBD’s Head of Retail Banking Group.
Amongst the senior BIBD members attending the event was Hajah Noraini binti Haji Sulaiman, Chief Financial Officer cum Deputy Managing Director.
The event is part of BIBD’s lineup of exclusive events held for its Perdana Privilege Banking members, creating exciting social experiences and further enhancing the Perdana Privilege Banking experience.
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