On a bright and early Friday morning, the streamlined profile of Aston Martins—the quintessential British motoring icon—came into view at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. From the DBs, Vanquishes, Vantages and DBXes emerged the owners, clad in polo T-shirts bearing the logo of Girard-Perregaux, the official timepiece partner of Aston Martin, a friendship that began in 2021.
The drivers were raring to go on a drive that promised the freedom of the open road and on a journey that combined automotive luxury and precision mechanics from a watchmaker that traces its origins to 1791, making it one of the oldest fine watchmaking manufactures still in operation today. In the present day, Girard-Perregaux’s savoir-faire in watchmaking is allied with the space-age technology of Formula 1, resulting in the thrilling Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition in a titanium powder and carbon alloyed case, resulting in a much higher resistance to that of steel.
The convoy of 10 Aston Martins—as well as a support SUV in the form of the thrilling DBX707—would soon push off for the island of Penang, making the trip in under four hours with a refuelling stop. Arriving at The Hour Glass—the sole and official retailer of Girard-Perregaux in Malaysia—the drivers had a chance to detune their senses following 300-plus kilometres of highways and thoroughfares. Here at The Hour Glass boutique located at Gurney Plaza, they enjoyed delicious drinks and sampled a selection of Mortlach single-malt whisky.
Welcoming the guests was The Hour Glass Malaysia’s General Manager SK Teh, who then handed the floor to Girard-Perregaux’s Southeast Asia and Oceania Regional Brand Director, Vuong-Thong Nguyen. His presentation included a viewing of the sublime 45mm titanium DLC Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition. This brand-new timepiece reimagines the famed bridges of Girard-Perregaux, transposed through the influence of the Aston Martin DB12 super tourer, to reflect its sculpted contours and scintillating dynamism.
From the boutique, the fleet of Aston Martins headed for the modish and cool Macalister Mansion, a heritage building from 1880 that had undergone a dramatic restoration to house eight guest rooms as well as lavish spaces including its fine-dining Blanc Restaurant.
It was here where the celebration continued, courtesy of delicious wines paired to the breathtaking cuisine of Blanc’s chef Benny Yeoh.
A cured shima aji with citrus kosho segued to crispy marble goby and grilled Wagyu cheek with smoked egg yolks, and spring chicken with wild mushrooms and a rich Sauce Périgueux, redolent with earthy truffles and Madeira.
The evening dinner became an all-nighter, with many of the guests enjoying the company of newfound and familiar friends, fellow drivers united by the enchanting drive organised by Girard-Perregaux and The Hour Glass, and savouring the unique reality of time, thanks to the watchmaker’s partnership with Aston Martin.
Photography: Ken Lim of Momenz Creation
Videography: SK Seaw, Jason Khoo and Tan Wei Keat of Momenz Creation
Lead Image: (from left) The Hour Glass Malaysia’s General Manager SK Teh, Girard-Perregaux’s South-East Asian and Oceania Regional Brand Director Vuong-Thong Nguyen, Datin Sri Joey Low and Dato’ Sri Jackie Tor.
