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Karen Tee

An unassuming warehouse in Singapore probably seems like an unlikely place for a priceless collection of historic timepieces, including ornate Patek Philippe table clocks and vintage Audemars Piguet pocket watches.
But that is exactly where a new watch museum, an initiative by watch investment advisory firm FutureGrail, is located. It houses over 200 ultra-rare timepieces unrestored and polished to perfection, and is open to the public by appointment.

Highlights include the Navigator’s Watch by J.W. Benson from the 1900s, which is one of the most complex watches made in the history of horology, with complications like 24-hour World Time for 63 cities as well as a planisphere.
Then there is a unique 18-carat gold enamel and pearl amphora-shaped perfume bottle from 1805. Attributed to Piguet & Capt, it has a key-winding concealed watch and was sent to China’s imperial court. Its “twin brother” is kept in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
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FutureGrail was launched by prominent watch collector and investor Ali Nael and his business partner Mohsin Rizvi. The warehouse space also houses the firm’s tax-free storage facility, which is why it is situated in this industrial location.
Their aim is to augment Singapore’s horology community by introducing vintage watch collecting to a wider range of enthusiasts.

“Singapore is in the unique position of being a hub for Southeast Asia and collectors here are knowledgeable about independent watchmaking. Next, an increasing number of collectors are deep diving into vintage and pocket watches. This is usually the last thing people collect as it requires a lot of knowledge and we are on a mission to share this knowledge so that collectors can make informed decisions,” Nael says.
The company recently brought on board horology historian Arnaud Tellier as its head of curation. Tellier was head of the Patek Philippe Museum – widely considered one of the world’s foremost horology museums – for 11 years.
“The collection already includes a lot of what we can call treasures in the history of horology that are in perfect condition or are restored and conserved,” Tellier says, adding that Nael’s desire to develop the collection was what drew him to this project. “There are already several ‘flagship’ pieces that make this collection of a high international standard.”
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The Patek Philippe collection is particularly impressive, the historian notes. There is a World Time (Heures Universelles) pocket watch from circa 1948-1954, which features a polychrome cloisonné enamel dial that represents the map of Europe, Africa and Asia. Only two of such watches were produced in this configuration by Louis Cottier for the brand, Tellier says.
Now, Tellier is on the lookout for historic timepieces made for the Chinese and Turkish markets, as well as decorative items and watches with important movements to “fill the gaps” among the existing display of some 200 timepieces.
While there is a commercial intent to bring in more collectors and investors, Nael emphasises that the team is motivated by a goal to educate and benefit the local and global watchmaking community through this museum.

“The aim for the museum is to acquire pieces that can be used to enhance the community by showcasing the importance of horology and to track its growth and evolution over time. We hope to provide inspiration for people to learn about pieces other than the current watches in stores today, but also to understand how watches were conceived and why they are important,” Nael says.
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Tellier agrees that the watch market, fuelled in part by a larger number of collectors who have spent the coronavirus pandemic educating themselves about the investment potential of vintage and independent timepieces, is set to diversify beyond the big names.
“Having worked for over 30 years with an international clientele, particularly from Asia, we can observe that Singaporean collectors are generally more oriented towards modern products, but things have changed over the last few years,” Tellier observes.
“We are now seeing more interest in independent watchmakers as well as older watches. They have realised that there is more to collecting than just new Patek Philippe, Rolex or Omega watches.”
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Timepieces

Inside FutureGrail’s new watch museum in Singapore: how the private museum in an unassuming warehouse is widening the scope of timepiece collecting beyond Patek Philippe, Rolex and Omega

FutureGrail’s museum is located in a warehouse in Singapore’s industrial area. Photo: @futuregrailofficial/Instagram

The J.W. Benson Navigator’s Watch, one of the most complex timepieces ever made. Photo: Christie’s

The Piguet & Capt 18-carat gold enamel and pearl amphora-shaped perfume bottle from 1805 features a hidden watch. Photo: FutureGrail

The Patek Philippe Museum is one of the foremost horology museums. Photo: Victoria Ip 

Three beauties from the Patek Philippe collection (from left): a ref. 1415 HU made in 1945-46, a ref. 1415 HU made in 1948 and a ref. 1415R HU made in 1948. Photo: Patek Philippe Museum

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The stunning ice blue Platinum Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40. Photo: Handout

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The Bulgari Octo Finissimo. Photo: Handout

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Franck Muller Vangard Damas Racing. Photo: Handout

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Patek Philippe reference 1518 Pink on Pink. Photo: Sotheby’s

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FutureGrail’s warehouse exhibition space features more than 200 ultra-rare and vintage timepieces, including the J.W. Benson Navigator’s Watch
Prominent timepiece collector and investor Ali Nael and business partner Mohsin Rizvi run the show, with Patek Philippe Museum’s former head Arnaud Tellier as chief curator


Fuelled in part by the pandemic, collectors have educated themselves on the investment potential of independent brands and vintage pieces
