Swiss luxury watchmaker Richard Mille just opened a 7,000 sq ft boutique in Singapore on 1 St Martin’s Drive in the Lion City’s prestigious Orchard Road district, its largest in the world.
The location’s airy, open-plan interiors aim to provide customers with a pleasant and informal ambience, providing a sense of closeness and intimate connection within a circle of friends, as well as an instinctive sense of being at home. Guests first step into a den or central hub, where an impressive library featuring curved floor-to-ceiling shelves showcase a curated collection of tomes on a range of topics including film, music, architecture, history and art.
Style and comfort work together to create a sentiment where hospitality reigns, visitors are invited to experience a warm and informal atmosphere. To achieve this impression, the great bulk of the furniture and decorative items were built and designed specifically for each of the rooms to highlight their different personalities. From leather to wood, metal, stone, and glass, 250 materials were chosen through a procurement process based on production qualities and aesthetic value.
“St Martin was designed in perfect harmony with this philosophy conducive to fostering human relationships,” said Amanda Mille, brand and partnerships director. “This venue awakens emotions and elevates the art of hospitality so dear to Richard Mille, thanks in particular to an innovative vision.”
The few watches on display mostly appear at the front of the boutique, shown in a more conventional way that shoppers will be familiar with. But the hidden library, which currently features a small collection of Asian-centric artefacts and books, also houses a horological secret.
The centrepiece is a creation by French visual artist William Amor: an olive tree that takes root in the Hub’s centre. This creation represents loyalty, transmission, resistance, friendship, tranquillity, and health. The tree also symbolises Richard Mille’s love of the Mediterranean area. 1 St. Martin’s Drive, #B1-01, Singapore 257988.