Look alive, watch lovers; there is a new spot in town to check out your favourite timepieces. Audemars Piguet has brought its experiential space, AP House, to Singapore.
The new spot, located in the Bar & Billiard Room at Raffles Hotel, is the 22nd AP House in the world. Unlike others, this one is the first to be launched alongside AP Café, a new dining concept by the maison (more on that below).
AP House was designed to “feel like a refined home”, says Audemars Piguet Southeast Asia CEO Stefanie Ng. The idea was to create a place that imagines how the brand’s founders would live in the 21st century and where watch enthusiasts and newcomers could come together to “discuss timepieces or simply enjoy the moment”.
To that end, the 1,000 sqm Bar & Billiard Room has been tastefully and subtly reworked as a modern living space, decked out in light, warm wood tones with subtle touches of green and gold.
A long dining table anchors the main area, with a billiard table on one end. Those craving a drink while they browse can get a cocktail or coffee from the central bar.
See also: Get to know the biggest names in watchmaking celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2025
Those who recall what the space looked like before will be glad to know that Audemars Piguet has kept its architecture intact, from the high arched ceilings to the large windows that let in loads of light during the day.
Storytelling is a major component of AP House, with nuggets of the maison’s history at every corner. At the entrance are three “Watch Totems” with a curated showcase of heritage pieces, including a one-of-a-kind, diamond-set Openwork Merlion watch in white gold.
See also: Here are our six favourite timepieces from LVMH Watch Week
Turning right from here, you enter an immersive corridor with digital ceilings showing scenes from Switzerland’s Valle de Joux. Exiting this leads you to a counter where you can get your watches serviced or pick out a new strap.
Back in the main area is a long wall with a selection from the maison’s current collection. The maison encourages visitors to interact with these watches — simply approach one of the client consultants on site.
Three themed private salons offer a quiet place to take a closer look at the watches, simply chat, or even listen to some tunes; one of these rooms is inspired by music, with a high-fidelity audio system and vinyl records by everyone from James Brown to Jay-Z.
AP House is open daily, from 11am to 8pm. Making an appointment before heading down is advised so you can get a full experience with a client consultant, though walk-ins are also allowed. “Our doors are always open,” Ng assures.
Horology meets gastronomy
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Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, says the goal with AP Café was to “elevate [the maison’s] hospitality and further evolve the AP House concept”. Singapore’s famed food culture, he adds, sets the perfect backdrop for a venture that interprets Swiss culinary traditions through the city-state’s lens.
AP Café’s kitchen is run by Burnt Ends, the one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Dempsey that clinched 15th in last year’s list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. The menu is, as Resta notes, Swiss with a Singaporean twist; there’s also a sprinkling of ultra-luxe vibes, as one might expect given the context.
Most items come as small plates or single bites, like the literally golden röesti ($25++), where a disc of potato shreds is crisped, then topped with creme fraiche and caviar.
On first sight, we’re reminded of the mid-2010s craze with slapping gold leaf on food (here it wraps the entire röesti). But then we’re told the disc is made to resemble a watch face, with a diameter of exactly 38mm, and the presentation suddenly seems more witty than clichéd.
Slightly larger plates include the smoked salmon and buckwheat crepes ($28++), where thin slices of fish and crepe are layered over each other and served as a neatly squared-off cuboid with a dash of green over top.
There's also the short rib raclette pie ($38++), a hearty, rustic dish filled with chunks of tender meat and a rich sauce. Sriracha-tinged beef tartare ($25++), meanwhile, is served with wonton skins for a delightful East-meets-West combination.
For a little local inspiration, look to the chicken rice club sandwich ($22++), where slices of gingery, garlicky chicken and a surprisingly authentic chili sauce.
Savouries aside, the sweet treats at AP Café are reason enough to head down. Highlights include a gula melaka pain suisse ($8++), featuring a custard cream that is rich with the flavour of coconut sugar but does not overpower with sweetness. The Swiss roll with honeycomb and honey ice cream ($18++) is definitely one for sweet tooths, but it’s worth a try for the range of textures — crunchy, pillowy, smooth and crackly — all packed in one plate.
As with AP House, reservations are highly encouraged for those looking to visit AP Café. If you are already swinging by to check out the new space, a stop over here is well worth it. And even if you are not a watch lover, you have at least got a new place in town for coffee and a bite.
