About The Hour Glass . History and Milestones

The Hour Glass is Asia’s most geographically diversified, multi-brand, specialist watch retailer and most recently, voted by Wallpaper magazine’s 2007 annual watch guide as Asia’s premier specialist watch retailer as well as occupying a spot amongst the world’s top 5. From a one-boutique operation in 1979, The Hour Glass Group has developed a regional network of 25 boutiques strategically located in prime shopping belts in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

The Hour Glass brand of hospitality, attentiveness and in-depth knowledge of sophisticated mechanical timepieces has ensured that its clients are provided with a delightful shopping experience that is both modern and unique. Through a continuous programme of market research, The Hour Glass’ exquisite collection of brands has been specifically selected to meet the aspirations and lifestyle requirements of its regional clientele base.

In 2001, The Hour Glass was awarded the People Developer Award, certified by The Singapore Productivity and Standards Board, in recognition of its efforts towards implementing a comprehensive system for staff development. The Hour Glass is the first watch retailer to be awarded this certification of national quality. Again, The Hour Glass was honoured in 2002 as one of the top 14 winners of the inaugural Singapore Brand Awards by International Enterprise Singapore, naming it as one of Singapore’s premier brands. In September 2006, the company won the Securities Investors' Association, investors choice award for "Most Transparent Company Award 2006"; this prestigious award is endorsed and supported by the Singapore Stock Exchange, Standard & Poors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Business Times & the Asian Corporate Governance Association. This was subsequently followed by the Brand Laureate award for brand excellence in the fine timepieces category by the prestigious Asia Pacific Brands Foundation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in January 2007. The Hour Glass is also an active member of the internationally recognized Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) as well as a staunch supporter of the Academie Horlogere des Createurs Independants (AHCI) and Time Aeon, watch guilds aimed at preserving the traditional art of watchmaking.

In May 2002, The Hour Glass opened its first multi-brand boutique in Ginza, Tokyo’s most prestigious shopping district and continued its regional expansion programme in 2003 where The Hour Glass expanded its Thai operations, opening a 2,000 sq ft flagship store in Gaysorn Plaza, Bangkok. The Hour Glass was appointed the sole agent and distributor for Montblanc in Australia and opened its first franchised boutique in Sydney in March 2004 followed by two others in Melbourne and one in Brisbane. More recently, two new The Hour Glass multi-brand boutiques were opened in Kuala Lumpur in KL Pavilion and Mid Valley – The Gardens in September 2007.

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2004, The Hour Glass presented TEMPUS – The Great Watchscapade. TEMPUS was a five-day exhibition cum conference, the first and only event of its kind and scale in the world featuring a collection of watches valued at $120 million coupled with over 150 hours of seminars and workshops aimed at enhancing the watch culture in Singapore. Over 50,000 visitors attended this watchfest. In 2005, TEMPUS – The Great Watchscapade won the “Best Retail Event of the Year” by The Singapore Retailers Association. Due to overwhelming demand, The Hour Glass brought back TEMPUS – The Temple of Time, held from 5th to 9th September 2007 to resounding applause from watch enthusiasts and members of the public.

The Hour Glass has sold over SGD 6.5 billion (CHF 5.2BN) worth of watches in its 28-year history.

 

Our Vision

To be recognized globally as the premier specialist watch retailer in the Asia-Pacific region; making it the only port of call for all fine watch consumers alike.

 

Our Mission

In pursuit of our vision, we will:

  • Provide high quality and innovative products.
  • Deliver a level of service that exceeds our customers' expectation
    through personalized and caring customer service.
  • Develop and continuously improve strategic relationships with key customers, brand partners & suppliers.
  • Provide a developing and rewarding working environment for our employees
  • Continue to increase our shareholders value in the Company by maintaining stability & improving financial performance