At the Astor ballroom of The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, a vision of luxury welcomed guests of Robb Report Malaysia’s Evening of Connoisseurship. On the right, glinting under the ceiling lights, were the 2024 novelties of Vacheron Constantin, first introduced in Geneva’s annual Watches and Wonders fair in April. On the left were two Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan models, both gleaming with their enigmatic Tempest Grey paintwork. And straight ahead, was the theatrically dextrous bartender for Mortlach, a single-malt Scotch that has entered the aficionado’s lexicon as whisky’s best-kept secret.
Here in this space, guests perused the scintillating timekeeping novelties of Vacheron Constantin, a watchmaker that traces its lineage back to 1755 and is a member of the Holy Trinity of Swiss watches—so called and grouped because of the trio’s use of the finest materials, innovation in horology, and showcasing the various arts of watchmaking, from hand-finishing to Cotes de Geneve striping across its movements.
Among the pieces that caught the eye were the quartet of intense olive-green Overseas timepieces, encased in warm 18k rose gold and fitted with matching rose gold bracelets. Also on show was the always recognisable Historiques American 1921, an icon from the Roaring Twenties that simply allowed for a diagonal reading of time at an instant glance. There was also time for guests to marvel at a dramatic video of Vacheron Constantin’s bespoke Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon, designed exclusively for the Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail.
Across the ballroom, the two Black Badge Cullinan SUVs glowered with what could be described as an unapologetic presence. Signature accents of the Black Badge treatment abounded, including the high-gloss coachwork, chrome exhausts and expressive materials such as graphic black on the door handles, window surrounds and the Spirit of Ecstasy.
And alongside the delicious canapes and a carvery of roast lamb by The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur’s F&B team came the drams of Mortlach single-malt scotch, with the fan favourite 16-year-old showing its rich and sherried influences with a palate of dark chocolate and a touch of oak that segues into a lingering warm embrace of gentle fruit.
More photos of Robb Report Malaysia’s Evening of Connoisseurship event
Photography: Sunlee Khan
Videography: Joey Lee / Momentous Motion Pictures
