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Kuala Lumpur, 13 October 2009 – Starhill Gallery, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia for its third successful year, is proud to present A Journey Through Time III, Asia’s largest luxury watch and jewellery showcase. This annual year end horological haven, which has drawn more than 110,000 visitors since 2007, is a continuous effort by both parties to develop the Malaysian tourism industry into a sustainable number one income generator. 
A Journey Through Time III is scheduled to begin from the 3rd to 13th December 2009 at Malaysia’s most prestigious shopping destination, Starhill Gallery, where the latest and most innovative luxury timepieces from 100 illustrious brands and renowned international watchmakers will be featured.
For 2009, A Journey Through Time III dons a slightly different mantle to reflect on an issue long advocated by Starhill Gallery’s parent company, YTL Corporation, and Tourism Malaysia. This year’s theme - “Time & the Environment” - will pay homage to Nature by creating more awareness on the environmental problems facing the world today.
“Time and elements of the environment are fundamentally intertwined. But the environment is showing signs of buckling under the strain of sustaining Mankind because nothing but time is infinite. With A Journey Through Time in its 3rd year, we felt it timely that we should use this world-class event to put the spotlight on environmental issues, an issue that affects everyone, everywhere,” said Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh, Group Managing Director of YTL Corporation.
“Environmental problems and issues are far reaching and wide, and it is a societal as well as a business concern. Malaysia is a fascinating holiday destination and we are blessed with an abundance of amazing natural wonders like our jeweled islands and lush million year old rainforest, which draws millions of visitors to our shores every year. But with all the environmental problems are currently facing, we might very well lose these natural treasures faster than we anticipated,” continued Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh.
To amplify and support this year’s environmental theme, there will be a special talk titled the “Time & the Environment Insights” where horological experts and champions of the environment will present a series of alternative views relating to the environment and the luxury acquisition industry. The talk is scheduled for 9th December 2009 and will be led by Dr. Bernard Cheong, who is well-known throughout the horological circle as the most influential watch collector in the world.
A Journey Through Time III will continue to present yet another year of wonderful horological experiences with gastronomic adventures, world-class entertainment and many milestone pieces making their Asian debut in Starhill Gallery.
To highlight its horological heritage and passion for fine timepieces, Breguet will fly in their rare and exclusive heritage timepieces for Les Montres Breguet showcase which will be on public display for the first time in Asia. Watch collectors and aficionados will have the opportunity to study these timeless pieces up close for the full 11 days.
Bedat & Co, who launched their flagship boutique last year during AJTT 2008, will be illuminating this year’s AJTT with the Rainbow Collection. Imbued with exceptional finesse and radiance, the Rainbow Collection consists of 8 colourful and finely crafted timepieces set entirely with gemstones.
Delivering another legendary hit, Romain Jerome amazes the world yet again with the astronomical Romain Jerome Moon Dust-DNA collection. Authentic moon dust, fragments of the Apollo XI and Soyuz spacecraft, and elements of the International Space Station has been integrated into this heavenly collection, making it a must-have collector’s item for watch aficionados.
Mouawad, a brand that has bedazzled many Hollywood A-listers, will be showcasing its RM15 million dollar white & yellow gold necklace adorned with 285 white diamonds, 19 oval and one Marquis Fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 21.11 carats and one magnificent 10.06 carat pear shaped pendant. Continuing in its legacy of excellence, Mouawad will also be exhibiting its diamond encrusted USD30 million dress called The Nightingale, which was created in collaboration with Jendela KL.
From the Land of the Rising Sun comes a master watchmaker and a masterpiece whose movement alone is tagged at RM200,000. This very complicated timepiece is the product of the Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio, who will also be flying in watchmaker Mr. Katsuo Saitou, the current Gold Medalist (Mechanical & Quartz Watch Sector) of the National Watch Vocational Training Competition. Mr. Saitou was recently certified by the Japanese government as an Official Treasure of the Japanese Empire.
Testifying to the ongoing quest for absolute precision, Jaeger-LeCoultre will present the new Master Grande Tradition, a masterpiece equipped with a silicone escapement that is a perfect blend of technical performances and noble watchmaking traditions. Jaeger-LeCoultre is also partnering with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in the Tides of Time & The World Heritage Marine Programme by helping support a list of endangered marine sites around the world.
Richard Mille, sponsor of sleek sports event and creator of avant-garde timepieces, will be showcasing the much-anticipated RM019 Ladies’ Tourbillion and RM025 Diver’s Chronograph, which are two out of the five timepieces that was nominated at the Grand Prix d’Horlorogerie de Genève 2009.
DeWitt will be presenting Asia’s first viewing of the Répétition Minutes Tourbillon GMT Antipode, an exceptional twin-face model housing the latest technological breakthroughs of 21st century Haute Horlogerie within an elegantly sophisticated case. Whereas most complications operate on separate movements, the Répétition Minutes Tourbillon GMT Antipode reveals three extreme complications within a single fully integrated movement.
Acclaimed for creating fanciful and enviable timepieces, the House of Boucheron will be presenting the Chameleon Ronde “Seconde Folle”. This exceptional timepiece features a chameleon on an eternal hunt for a swirling insect; its tail curled up around a twig of intricately worked foliage and set with precious pink, blue or yellow sapphires, rubies and tsavorites to evoke nature at its best.
Another poetic complication born of the whimsical interpretation of time is the Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Jour et Nuit (Day & Night watch). Its exclusive movement delicately turns a disk which, on a sky made of aventurine glass, unveils a yellow gold sun set with yellow sapphires, and then a white gold moon lit up with round diamonds and surrounded by dazzling stars.
Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps, or more commonly known as MCT, is considered to be the new vanguard of a new wave of exciting Swiss watchmakers. MCT will be showcasing Sequential One, a masterpiece where each function is based on a combination of elements rotating on 3-dimentional axes.
Another new brand to join A Journey Through Time is TW Steel. This simply refined and exclusive watch brand will be debuting with its latest CEO Canteen Collection which was recently launched at Baselworld 2009.
Adding glitz and glamour to these 11 days of intense haute horology, Valentino, one of the world's most famous haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion empires, Sergio Rossi and Kenzo will celebrate the opening of their flagship boutiques in Asia by hosting high-profile dinners lending this iconic event that certain je ne sais quoi.
On the entertainment front, the exquisite Datin Seri Tiara Jacequelina and heart throb Stephen Rahman-Hughes, will set hearts aflutter with the brand new musical “Seasons of Love”. This showcase, a Malaysian premiere, will feature a full production comprising Stephen and Tiara backed by an energetic award-winning ensemble of the country’s finest stage performers on 3rd & 4th October 2009 at A Journey Through Time 2009.
Taking to the stage for four nights, Maria Cordero, singer, actress, entertainer & Celebrity Chef of Portuguese-Chinese heritage, will regale us with her powerful vocals, versatility and highly entertaining performances. She has starred in over 35 Hong Kong movies and also hosts her own cooking show called “Maria’s Kitchen” on Cable TV. Maria will be performing on the 9th – 12th October 2009.
Dennis Lau, Malaysia’s very own acclaimed violinist, will transport us to musical Valhalla with his nightly preludes. This protégé, awarded for Outstanding Performance for Violin for the Trinity College London FTCL examinations, has already shared the stage with the likes of David Tao, Lewis Pragasam, James Boyle, Tay Kewei, Fransisca Peters, and Jimmy Sax. Dennis will perform every night.
A Journey Through Time would not be complete without our beloved divas, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Ning Baizura, who will return to the Grand Stage to delight us, yet again, with their amazing performances and renditions of all time favourites. Datuk Siti Nurhaliza will be taking the stage on the 7th, whereas Ning will be singing on the 5th, 6th and 8th October.
Our final headliner for the celebration is none other than the incredible Katherine Jenkins, an award-winning Welsh mezzo-soprano. Katherine has released five classical number one studio albums to date selling 4,000,000 copies. She has also performed in a large number of concerts around the United Kingdom and other countries, including the United States and Australia. Katherine will take the stage on the final night on the 13th December 2009.
YB Data Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Tan Sri Data Dr Francis Yeoh at the press conference
For more information, please contact:
Sharon Teo
Public Relations, Bates 141 PR
Tel.: +(603) 2296 8926
Fax: +(603) 2296 8989
Email:
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Kelly Tiong
Starhill Gallery
Tel.: +(603) 2710 3803
Fax: +(603)
Email:
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