To mark the festive season, Edinburgh’s The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel, has teamed up with Scotland’s most iconic jewellery house and the world’s finest watchmaker to create a unique moment in time for the city.
Hamilton & Inches, in partnership with Patek Philippe, are to share centuries of silversmithing prestige and watchmaking excellence at No.1 Princes Street this December with a Christmas Time display and bespoke event series hosted throughout the hotel.
Rich in history and heritage, The Balmoral’s 2017 festive installation will honour its long-standing relationship with Hamilton & Inches, which dates back to 1902 when the Royal Warrant holders created and installed the mechanism for the hotel’s majestic clock. The Balmoral clock famously runs three minutes fast to help people catch their trains when departing from the city’s Waverley Station, apart from Hogmanay when it is set to the correct time to lead Scotland in heralding the new year.
The wonder of Christmas Time will be celebrated throughout The Balmoral, as they work with Hamilton and Inches and Patek Philippe to transform it into a spectacular hub for Edinburgh’s festive celebrations. The hotel lobby will become a magical experience reflecting the grand complications of a Patek Philippe watch. A ceiling installation of wheels, moons and stars and a cluster of rotating Christmas trees, mimicking the movement of the world’s most beautiful timepieces, will take centre stage. Overlooking the lobby, a Patek Philippe lounge will become the destination for the city’s style seekers to take a moment and relax surrounded by artwork and literature from the Patek Philippe archives in Geneva.
The Balmoral’s Festive Afternoon Tea – served in both the Patek Philippe Lounge and the iconic Palm Court – will present guests with a plate of themed gifts to take home as a memento. Served in a Balmoral tea tin, this will include Scotland’s first homegrown Silver Needle tea in tribute to Hamilton & Inches’ status as Silversmiths to Her Majesty The Queen. Fondly referred to as ‘Grandad’s Eyebrows,’ due to the hairs on the back of the leaf which form a silvery appearance, Silver Needle tea is sweet in taste with a velvety chocolate depth, perfectly paired with Afternoon Tea.
Exclusive events will also be held to celebrate the world-class craftsmanship on display throughout the hotel, including a Horology Masterclass with a watchmaking expert in the Patek Philippe Lounge; a Christmas Countdown afternoon hosted by Brian Grigor, Head Chef at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant Number One, and a Chocolate Masterclass with Executive Pastry Chef, Ross Sneddon, who will be sharing his skills and tips for making chocolate at home.
SCOTCH, The Balmoral’s dedicated whisky bar, and The Balmoral Bar, will both be offering an exploration of Christmas time – Past, Present and Future – in liquid form, with six specially selected drams of whisky and Sazerac cocktails.
The Christmas Time festive collaboration brings together three iconic brands – Patek Philippe, the world’s finest watchmaker, Hamilton & Inches, Scotland’s luxury jewellery house; and The Balmoral, a landmark in Edinburgh and the destination for the most memorable celebrations in the city.
The Balmoral and Hamilton & Inches Christmas Time installation will be unveiled on Thursday 16th November.
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