Singapore Singing Bird Cage commissioned by The Hour Glass

Birds in a cage! Cruelty to animals, is what this is not.

Specially commissioned by The Hour Glass and created by mechanical music manufacturer Reuge, the ‘Singapore Singing Bird Cage’ celebrates Singapore’s Golden jubilee year.

Two singing crimson sunbirds – Singapore’s National Bird-  take centre stage in this mechanical masterpiece which measures 202mm in diameter and stands 342mm tall.

Assembled by hand, each of the movement’s 250 mechanical parts and 20 various parts of the bird showcases Reuge’s art of fine craftsmanship, created in Sainte-Croix in Switzerland.

Both birds – with ninety percent real feathers – pivot, have head, beak and tail movements, and surely sing an enchanted song.

One can opt for either of the total three modes – on/off/interval. When in interval mode, between 2 songs, there is a pause of 20 to 40 seconds.

The movement has a power reserve of about 14 minutes in interval mode and when the Singapore Singing Bird Cage is in continuous mode, the power reserve lasts 2 minutes.

Interestingly, the first ever singing bird mechanical movement was perfected in 1780 by Pierre Jacquet-Droz in Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland. And, now in 2015, Reuge’s Singapore Singing Bird Cage perfectly imitates the harmonious song of the crimson sunbirds, where the levers for the song are made from tempered steel.

With the virtue of exclusivity in mind, the Singapore Singing Bird Cage is limited to 5 pieces worldwide.

Retailing at S$ 16, 000 each, The Singapore Singing Bird Cage can be purchased at three boutiques by The Hour Glass in Singapore – L’Atelier at ION Orchard mall, Malmaison at Knightsbridge and More Passion at Paragon mall.

Photo Credit: The Hour Glass and Reuge. For more information, please visit the official The Hour Glass and Reuge websites. Follow Haute Time on Instagram to catch all of the new releases as they happen.