Cover Celebrating Rolex’s spirit of adventure and perpetual excellence: Tatler Singapore’s watches and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan, and social entrepreneur Christine Amour-Levar
Celebrating Rolex’s spirit of adventure and perpetual excellence: Tatler Singapore’s watches and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan, and social entrepreneur Christine Amour-Levar
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At an intimate evening hosted by Tatler Singapore and Cortina Watch, guests explored the timeless legacy of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master through Time Zone to Time Zone, an exhibition celebrating the art of travel and discovery, as well as the enduring allure of exploration
Conceived in an era when the world grew smaller through flight, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master became the trusted companion of those who measured life not by distance, but by the rhythm of passing time zones. That pioneering spirit was at the heart of Time Zone to Time Zone, an exhibition by Rolex and Cortina Watch that took place at Paragon’s main atrium from October 24 to November 2.
On October 28, Tatler Singapore and Cortina Watch welcomed an exclusive guest list for an evening at the exhibition. As guests arrived, they were greeted with champagne and canapés before being guided through the exhibition by Rolex docents. The walkthrough traced the GMT-Master’s evolution from its beginnings as a pilot’s instrument to its modern incarnations in Oystersteel and 18-karat gold. The displays spotlighted milestones of design and engineering: the now-iconic two-colour bezel, the revolutionary calibre 3285 movement, and the watch’s enduring ability to bridge both time and generations.
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Above Time Zone to Time Zone, an exhibition dedicated to the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master
Time Zone to Time Zone, an exhibition dedicated to the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master
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A Conversation Across Time
Cortina Watch’s general manager, Bernard Ang, set the tone for the evening by welcoming guests and speaking on the maison’s enduring relationship with Rolex and their shared devotion to craft and precision. His remarks set the stage for a fireside chat between Tatler Singapore’s watch and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan, and adventurer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Christine Amour-Levar, whose life and work embody the GMT-Master’s ethos: global, purposeful, and perpetually in motion.
Amour-Levar is the founder of Her Planet Earth, a non-profit empowering women and protecting the planet through transformative, all-female expeditions; and Women Beyond Limits, a platform that mentors and equips women to lead purpose-driven lives. She is also the co-founder of Investors for Climate, a global community accelerating high-impact climate solutions.
“I grew up between Manila, France, and Switzerland,” Amour-Levar shared. “From early on, I was drawn to discovery—to that feeling of standing somewhere new and realising how small and connected we all are.” Over the past 13 years, she has led more than 30 expeditions to some of the world’s most remote corners, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, raising funds for conservation and women’s empowerment initiatives along the way.
Recounting a moment from a climb in Antarctica, she reflected: “I remember standing there, surrounded by this vast whiteness, feeling both tiny and grateful. It was humbling, and a reminder of how beautiful and fragile our planet is.”
Above Fireside chat between Tan and Amour-Levar
Fireside chat between Tan and Amour-Levar
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Road to Excellence
When asked how she balances her multiple roles, from explorer to business founder, and mother of four, Amour-Levar described a disciplined relationship with time that would resonate with any horology enthusiast. “I actually plan my year in detail—every project, every goal, every relationship. It’s about aligning how I spend my time with what matters most,” she said. “That’s my way of staying grounded.”
Her reflections tied beautifully to Rolex’s philosophy of perpetual excellence, a principle that has guided the brand since its founding. “For me, excellence isn’t perfection,” she continued. “It’s consistency—showing up, learning, and pushing forward, even when things don’t go as planned.”
The conversation also turned to the idea of exploration beyond geography; as a way of seeing and connecting. “Exploration is about staying curious. It’s about places, people, and perspectives,” she said. “Whether you’re meeting a CEO or a janitor, you can learn something if you’re truly listening.”
As the evening drew to a close, guests revisited the exhibition to admire the current GMT-Master II models in their various colourways and materials, from Oystersteel to yellow Rolesor and 18-karat gold. In a world that moves ever faster, Rolex’s Time Zone to Time Zone exhibition was a reminder that time, when measured with intention, remains life’s most precious luxury and is an enduring companion for those who continue to seek new horizons.
Click through the gallery below to see more highlights from the evening.
Andrew Li and Tay Yi Ming
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
