On 20 July 2006, Audemars Piguet and BP de Silva hosted an appreciation dinner for its clients and partners at the grand Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) in Penang.
Guests enjoying cocktails on the veranda
The E&O was built by the the famous Sarkies brothers, Martin, Tigran, Aviet and Arshak, hoteliers of Armenian descent who also built the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the Strand Hotel in Burma.
View of the Straits of Malacca
The hotel actually began as the Eastern Hotel in 1884, before the Oriental Hotel was built a year later. Eventually both were merged resulting in the E&O, today considered the premier hotel in Penang. Famous guests include Noel Coward, Douglas Fairbanks, Hermann Hesse, Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham.
Guests and Jacky Eu (Third from left)
More guests
Penang is an island on the North-West coast of Malaysia, and the only state in Malaysia where Chinese are the dominant ethnic group. It is renowned for the legendary street hawker food, which is definitely amongst the best in the world. Click here for a short post on Penang hawker food in the WFED forum. The fact that this event was held in Penang, and not the capital Kuala Lumpur, is an indication how important this island is.
This message has been edited by JiaXian on Jul 25, 2006 3:46 PM
Guests moved to the 400-seat Grand Ballroom of the E&O for dinner. Like the rest of the hotel, the ballroom is possesses an old world charm, complete with stage, royal box and gallery.
Ballroom ready for arrival of guests
Oliviero Bottinelli, CEO of Audemars Piguet (South East Asia), making a pre-dinner speech
Oliviero noted that many people ask him the difference between AP and its partner in S.E. Asia, BP de Silva. His answer - 3 years. BP de Silva was founded in 1872 while AP was established in 1875. BP de Silva is a privately held company with a diverse range of interests, including jewellery, timepieces and tea. More on the company later.
Sunil Amarasuriya, chairman of BP de Silva Holdings, a low profile but highly respected and influential gentleman in the watch industry
Dinner continued, but eventually the models were brought back to the delight of the guests who could not get enough of the beautiful jewellery and watches.
Close ups of some of the jewellery and watches seen earlier on the models.
BP de Silva is one of the oldest and most established jewellers in Singapore, although it is not as well known as it should be. Most of its jewellery is now designed in Switzerland, resulting in the contemporary and elegant designs you see below. In addition, BP de Silva sources and polishes its own precious stones, ensuring all are of the best quality. The company has exciting plans for the future, this is one company to watch.
This message has been edited by JiaXian on Jul 25, 2006 3:51 PM
BP de Silva recently revamped their store in Gurney Plaza, Penang's leading shopping mall.
Located in the ground level of the mall, the store carries BP de Silva jewellery, RISIS products, Omega and Audemars Piguet watches.
RISIS was born in 1976 to market and sell the famous 24k gold-plated orchid flower developed by SISIR (Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research, presently known as SPRING - Standards, Productivity and Innovation for Growth). Since divested by the Singapore government, it is now part of BP de Silva, and has broadened its product line to include ornamental items as well as jewellery and accessories.
Some of the RISIS products
This message has been edited by JiaXian on Jul 25, 2006 3:52 PM
Part VIII: Audemars Piguet watches at BP de Silva Boutique
July 25 2006, 3:51 PM
Penang is one of the most important markets in Malaysia, accordingly the BP de Silva boutique has substantial space dedicated to Audemars Piguet, with a superb collection of watches on hand.
Royal Oak Chronograph in White Gold with pave diamonds and mother of pearl sub-dials
Promesse in White Gold with diamonds and pink mother of pearl dial
Royal Oak Chronograph in Yellow Gold
Offshore Rubberclad in pink gold
Jules Audemars Chronograph
The highly sought after Millennary Maserati Dual Time limited edition in Pink Gold
Another view of Millennary Maserati
Royal Oak Chronograph in Stainless Steel
Royal Oak Dual Time in Rose Gold
Offshore Rubberclad in Pink Gold on wrist of Gaetan Jankowski
This message has been edited by JiaXian on Jul 25, 2006 5:39 PM This message has been edited by JiaXian on Jul 25, 2006 3:52 PM
Kudos to the team at AP and BP de Silva for the successful event. Many more in addition to those pictured below deserve praise for their hard work.
Lena Wong, AP Singapore
Oliviero Bottinelli, CEO AP S.E. Asia
Gaetan Jankowski, AP Singapore
Axel Tuk (Pronounced 'took' in his native Dutch), Chief Operating Officer, BP de Silva Holdings.
Formerly a private banker in Switzerland, Axel took up this position only 2 weeks ago. Axel knew Oliviero since childhood back in Geneva. He actually worked with BP de Silva several years back, when he did an MBA thesis on the company that impressed Sunil. Axel will be spearheading the expansion of BP de Silva, concentrating on jewellery and other segments; the watch business is doing so well not much more needs to be done.
Edgar Ng, Senior Business Development Manager, RISIS
Sarah Foo, BP de Silva Jewellers Penang
From L to R: Edgar Ng, Sharon Ong (BP de Silva Holdings), Toni Tham (RISIS Singapore), Lena Wong and Lynda (BP de Silva Jewellers Penang)
My pictures are embarassing compare to yours and you still say you have poor photography skills? Gotta be kidding man! Thanks for the fantastic report again
