From The Straits Times    |

The watch is a unique accessory – it serves both form and function. Besides telling the time, a watch plays an important part in the arm party. It’s little wonder some of us obsess over the timepiece, just like we do over bags and shoes. Here, we round up the exciting watch news we think you should know about.

Girls’ Generation X Baby-G


Exclusive Baby-Gs with Girls’ Generation member’s signature engraved on the back

This is one collaboration no Sone (fans of Girls’ Generation) should miss. Casio’s girlie pop watch Baby-G turns 20 in 2014 and to celebrate this milestone, the brand has teamed up with the K-pop group for a limited edition range of watches. In a clever marketing move, each of the three exclusive Baby-Gs have back plates engraved with signatures of only three members of Girls’ Generation – we have a feeling true blue fans will have to get all three! Each watch comes in an autographed box and custom easel.

The limited edition Girls’ Generation collaboration Baby-G BA-111GG range retails for $199 each at all G-Factory stores.

Guess Mini Exec watch


The Guess Mini Exec in rose gold

Looking for a watch that works for both day and night? The latest Mini Exec version from Guess might fit the bill. The timepiece’s case and bracelet are decked out in rose gold for a sophisticated touch of bling that is office appropriate but also the only accessory you need for a night of clubbing. The midsize and multifunction dial elements are borrowed from the boys – menswear inspiration is right on trend for this season too.

The Guess Mini Exec watch retails from $278 at 313@Somerset #01-K1, Plaza Singapura #01-29, JEM #02-K2, Marina Square #02-151, Guess Boutiques and authorised retailers.

Swarovski Crystalline bangle


Left: The Swarovski Crystalline bangle. Right: A sketch of the bangle

If you are the sort who doesn’t shy away from the limelight, the new Crystalline bangle from Swarovski will be right up your alley. Freshly unveiled at international watch fair Baselworld by the crystal label, this sparkly timepiece is an update of 2012’s Crystalline watch. It would be mission impossible to steal attention away from the 1,700 shimmering crystals adorning the sleek lines of this bangle watch.

For more information, go to www.swarovski.com.

Swatch catches the football fever


From left: The Swatch Entusiasmo watch; the watch in its box; and set of exchangeable loops

The 2014 World Cup is two months away and even if you aren’t a football enthusiasm, we’re sure you will be on board with the Swatch’s Enthusiasmo watch. The special New Gent watch pays tribute to the host nation’s flag colours: Brazil’s green, yellow, blue and white. The Brazilian flag is also emblazoned on the exchangeable loop around the strap. If you are rooting for another country’s team, you can also get the other 31 competing countries’ flag loops as a set.

The Swatch Entusiasmo watch and additional flag loops retails for $103 and $60 respectively at all Swatch outlets.

Emporio Armani’s first Swiss made watch collection


Left: Emporio Armani at Baselworld; one of the watches from the collection

This year’s Baselworld also sees the unveiling of the first Emporio Armani Swiss made timepiece collection. For the first time, the collection fuses the clean cut design aesthetic of the Italian brand with Swiss watch-making expertise for elegant minimalistic timepieces that Giorgio Armani believes will be “truly timeless”.

For more information, go to store.emporioarmaniwatches.com.