HAUTE TIME

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE Show Business

DIVE INTO FILM HISTORY AT THE ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES JUST AHEAD OF THE 94THTH ACADEMY AWARDS.

BY LAURA SCHREFFLER

Renzo Piano designed this LEED Gold-certified building, the largest museum in the U.S. dedicated to the arts and sciences.

AS THE 94TH ACADEMY AWARDS ON MARCH 27th approach, a visit to the recently opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures should be as big a priority as getting redcarpet ready for Hollywood’s biggest evening, and here’s why: This museum is, in fact, a love letter to Hollywood itself, and one with a $462 million price tag to boot.

Designed by Pritzker Prize—winning architect Renzo Piano, this LEED Gold-certified building is now the largest museum in the United States specifically devoted to the arts and sciences of moviemaking, one that makes sure to tell all the stories of Tinseltown’s history — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Piano, in collaboration with Gensler as executive architect, has actually created the 300,000-squarefoot building by combining two contrasting structures: the renovated and expanded May Company building — a 1939 landmark now called the Saban Building in honor of benefactors Cheryl and Haim Saban — and a soaring glass and concrete sphere housing the Fairfax Avenue entrance and the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby, exhibition galleries, the 288-seat Ted Mann Theater, The Shirley Temple Education Studio, the Debbie Reynolds Conservation Studio, and a store carrying exclusive film and Oscars memorabilia.

This wing also houses Fanny’s, a restaurant and café named after legendary vaudeville, movie, theater, and radio star Fanny Brice. As developed by restaurateurs Bill Chait and Carl Schuster with a design by the L.A.-based firm Commune Design, the 10,000-square-foot space is a

The Academy Museum is a soaring structure of glass and steel The Academy Museum is a soaring structure of glass and steel Caption tk

two-story affair conceptualized by the late Osvaldo Maiozzi and features an open kitchen, elegant bar and captain-based service style in a nod to Hollywood’s glory days. Raphael Francois is the eatery’s executive chef, while the great Julian Cox serves as its mixologist. Wolfgang Puck Catering, which oversees the Academy Awards’ Governor’s Ball, also provides catering services at the museum.

Meanwhile, the 45,000-square-foot sphere building houses the 1,000-seat David Geffen Theater and Dolby Family Terrace, a circular, open-air promenade beneath a custom-cut glass dome with cinematic views of the Hollywood Hills and Hollywood Sign, as well as the Walt Disney Company Piazza.

Speaking of Disney, well, the Academy is akin to that — this is like Disneyland for film aficionados. There are member events, panel discussions, screenings, and ongoing exhibitions, like Backdrop: An Invisible Art, a tribute to the impact that movies make on our lives; the three-story, self-explanatory Stories of Cinema; a retrospective on legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki; and The Oscars Experience, where visitors can experience their own Oscar night simulation (little-golden-man acceptance speech and all). Plus, there are true Hollywood treasures to be found here, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers from 1939’s The Wizard of Oz, a matte painting of Charles Foster Kane’s Xanadu mansion from 1941’s Citizen Kane, the typewriter Joseph Stefano used to write the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 thriller, Psycho, and the iconic shark from 1975’s Jaws.

Now, there’s only one real question: What iconic moments created this year will stand the test of time? On-site eatery Fanny’s is a tribute to actor Fanny Brice

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGER DUBUIS WATCHESHaute

Roger Dubuis x Dr. Woo

Making magic by merging tattoo art with hyper horology.

BY MARTIN GREEN

IN ITS UNIVERSE OF HYPER HOROLOGY, ROGER DUBUIS likes to seek out like-minded individuals to collaborate with. One of them is celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo. He applied his magic touch to the Monotourbillon, crafted from Eon gold and limited to just eight pieces. Haute Time sat down with Dr.Woo to talk with him about this exciting collaboration.

Haute Time: What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?

Dr. Woo: I was first inspired by the rebellious idea of doing something that, at that time, was very taboo — outside the circle of what was accepted. Tattooing was something that would allow me to push boundaries and to force myself and others to rethink how culturally we can work and be successful. I also wanted to do something atypical, that would allow me to feel free and to build something out of my creativity.

HT: How do you approach the design of a tattoo?

DW: I’m a very collaborative tattoo artist. Every creation is referenced with the client’s idea. It’s not only about my own style. I always take the time to get a clear vision of what the client has in mind before I interpret it and turn it into my art. My ultimate goal is to make the customer happy and proud.

HT: What is the difference between a good tattoo and a great tattoo?

DW: I think a great tattoo artist isn’t just able to put a good tattoo on skin but has the whole portfolio of hard work and tattoo culture. Tattoos have a very colorful history and tattooing is a culturally significant job that has been around since the dawn of time. Therefore, a great tattoo is the result of a technically proficient artist who understands the richness of its culture and has spent time learning and working with other tattoo artists.

HT: What made you collaborate with Roger Dubuis?

DW: Hyper horology reminds me of tattoos years ago, meaning an exclusive world that not everyone can enter. But I’m always eager to learn and to push my own boundaries. I wanted to understand how to express myself in the universe of fine watches. Roger Dubuis was a natural fit with me: The Maison is creative and wants to break the rules. Most important, I was looking for a high-level watchmaking partner able to create timepieces that last forever and always keep their integrity.

HT: How did the collaboration go?

DW: At first, I was intimidated. But the Roger Dubuis team was very collaborative, open-minded, and eager to bring our visions together. Along the way we never had problems with communication or clashing ideas. “No” was never an answer and in that sense our back-and-forths were eyeopening. We were able to see beyond the technical limits and bend them. It has been an exciting challenge and such a beautiful way to bring this masterpiece to life. I’m so glad we started this collaboration!

HT: What are you most proud of in regard to the watch?

DW: I like to remember that this timepiece has brought together people from different backgrounds, working toward the same aim of creating a unique work of art. My pride reached its peak the day I actually laid my hands on the Excalibur Dr. Woo Monotourbillon for the first time. At that very moment I realized how truly unique, exquisite and highend this masterpiece is.

Grand Seiko’s New Hi-Beat GMT

Celebrating 55 years of style.

BY MARTIN GREEN

IN THEIR PURSUIT OF PERFECTION, GRAND SEIKO DEVELOPED A style of its own, guided by nine principles. The first watch made accordingly was the iconic 44GS, which was launched in 1967. Today, this instantly recognizable style has fans all around the world and led Grand Seiko to become one of the most renowned names in high-end watchmaking. To mark the 55th anniversary of the “Grand Seiko Style,” the brand launched a Hi-Beat GMT model, limited to 1,200 pieces.

This timepiece looks precisely like what it is: a refined sports watch made with care, craftsmanship, and an eye for detail. For both the case and bracelet, Grand Seiko used high-intensity titanium. The advantage of this material is that it is not only about 30 percent lighter than steel but it is also hypoallergenic. However, it’s more challenging to process, making it all the more exceptional that Grand Seiko’s artisans were able to apply the renowned Zaratsu polishing on this material. It results in perfect reflections of light, highlighting the powerful design of the watch.

Grand Seiko fitted the watch with caliber 9S86. This is a so-called hi-beat movement, meaning that it runs at a rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour, or 10 beats per second. Precise calibration makes it possible to have an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day, with a power reserve of 55 hours. The movement can be admired through the sapphire insert in the caseback, yet the oscillating weight demands all the attention. Thanks to an advanced anodic oxidation process, it has been given a unique gold tone, perfectly complementing the Grand Seiko lion emblem. On the front, it is the blue GMT hand and details that add a dash of sportiveness to an immaculate dial. Keen on details, Grand Seiko paid particular attention to the design and polishing of both the hour markers and the hands, ensuring lasting beauty and legibility simultaneously. This fitting tribute to the 44GS has been available in the Grand Seiko boutiques and at selected retail partners since January of 2022.

RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal

Richard Mille’s latest grand slam.

BY MARTIN GREEN

WHEN ON THE COURT, RAFAEL NADAL HAS A DISTINCT preference for one of Richard Mille’s RM 027 Tourbillons, but his passion for the brand goes beyond that. With the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal, this elite athlete has added a fourth timepiece to the collection, and it is as impressive as it is innovative. “In our respective domains, we both seek to achieve excellence,” says Nadal. “We speak the same language, Richard and I. We’re both passionate about our work. Keeping alive this flame of passion for what we do each day is essential to me. Even though I don’t wear the RM 35 models in competition, it is heart warming to feel the confidence that he and the teams show in allowing me to participate in this singular adventure.”

Richard Mille also packed its latest watch with innovations. The new RM 35-03 is the first to benefit from a completely new system for movement winding, which was under development for three years. In essence, it is the next step in the evolution of the variable geometry rotor. Where that one needed to be adjusted by a Richard Mille watchmaker, the new butterfly rotor, as it is called, can be adjusted by simply pushing a button. This way, the winding characteristics can be matched by their activities, ensuring the optimum performance of their timepiece.

The RM 35-03 is a robust-looking watch, not only because of its size but also thanks to the design of the bezel. It is not smooth, as is customary with many of Richard Mille’s creations, but consists of two levels machined with great care and precision. The watch is available in two different versions: The first combines white Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT with a case band in Carbon TPT, while the second unites blue Quartz TPT with a white Quartz TPT case band. Both are powered by Caliber RMAL2, which not only features the patented butterfly rotor but also comes with a skeletonized baseplate and bridges in grade-5 titanium, Richard Mille’s signature function selector, as well as two mainspring barrels. This makes the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal a true horological athlete, sharing the same spirit as one of the best tennis players the world has ever seen.

BESPOKE BUTLER

TAG Heuer & Jimmy Butler unveil a special edition Carrera Heuer 02T Tourbillon, limited to only five in the world.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

MIAMI ART WEEK 2021 HAD OFFICIALLY COMMENCED. To kick off the inspiring week ahead, Swiss luxury watchmaker, Tag Heuer hosted an exclusive dinner to honor their unprecedented partnership with Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler — and to celebrate the launch of TAG Heuer x Jimmy Butler Special Edition Carrera Heuer 02T Tourbillon.

With only five timepieces worldwide, the TAG Heuer x Jimmy Butler Special Edition Carrera Heuer 02T Tourbillon is nothing short of spectacular. In this new codesigned Tourbillon between the Swiss watchmaker and basketball superstar, Jimmy Butler selected pale pink accents, appearing on the dial in the form of a pink polished central hand accompanied by pink superluminova® in homage to the most important person in Butler’s life: his 2-year-old daughter, Rylee.

“As a watch enthusiast, it has been a dream of mine to add my own touch to a luxury timepiece,” reveals Butler. “For this special watch [that] we’re unveiling tonight, I was able to include personal elements like subtle accents of pink to honor the person who means the most to me in this world — my daughter. By wearing this watch, you’ll always have a piece of me and her when you check the time.”

The pink theme continues onto the caseback, where Butler’s personal logo is emboldened as a nod to the infamous “Miami Vice” series and the vibrancy of the city he now calls home.

A symbol of both Butler’s individuality and fine watchmaking, the Heuer 02T COSC movement is housed in a striking 45-millimeter black PVD titanium grade-5 case, complemented by a carbon tachymeter fixed bezel and fitted with a matte black alligator rubber and leather strap. The sleek, sophisticated piece, priced at $25,000, embodies the essence of the partnership between TAG Heuer and Jimmy Butler.

Since joining the TAG Heuer family in May of 2021, Butler has become an integral part of the Tag Heuer team, embodying the brand’s ethos with his dedication to precision in the sport, high performance, and the “don’t crack under pressure” mindset. Butler is beloved throughout the Magic City and has quickly become an icon both on and off the court. Together, TAG Heuer and Butler make the ultimate dynamic duo.

“TAG Heuer and Jimmy Butler share a similar trailblazing approach to our respective crafts — a drive for high performance, entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for excellence,” Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer, explains. “Jimmy is an impressive athlete and dynamic leader on and off the court, and we are thrilled to showcase our partnership and close collaboration through this special edition Carrera Heuer 02T Tourbillon, exclusive to the Miami Design District boutique.”