Singapore Tatler – January 2026

Summary

Aryna Sabalenka — photographed in Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust and outfit by SukkhaCitta — opens January 2026 Singapore Tatler with "Power Serve," discussing style, strength and life beyond the court at S$9. The 132-page issue features Wim Hof on teaching the world to access its inner pharmacy, Banu Mushtaq as the first Kannada-language author to win the International Booker Prize, and Dianne Reeves on jazz as a reigning voice.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / The Scene / Style / Watches / Jewellery / Features / Regulars

p.92 · The Ice Man Cometh
Wim Hof, after spending decades proving the impossible, turns his attention to teaching the world to access its inner pharmacy. The feature covers the science behind his method — deliberate cold exposure, breathing techniques and mindset training — and how Hof is now working with academic institutions to validate claims. Close with: start with 15-second cold showers and increase by 15 seconds weekly — Hof's protocol shows measurable cortisol reduction after 4 weeks.

p.96 · Written in the Stars
Banu Mushtaq, the first Kannada-language author to win the International Booker Prize, discusses her literary journey and how regional language writing is gaining global recognition. Takeaway: read Mushtaq's award-winning novel translated into English — the Kannada original used a dialect specific to rural Mysore that the translator preserved through regional English idioms.

p.100 · A Reigning Voice
American jazz singer Dianne Reeves on maintaining vocal longevity across four decades. The interview covers her warm-up routines and how she selects repertoire. Close with: Reeves warms up for exactly 22 minutes before every performance — 8 minutes of humming, 7 of lip trills and 7 of sirens — a routine she has not broken since 1987.

p.104 · Let Us Breathe
The Fari Islands Festival in the Maldives launches a new era of wellbeing programming across five resort islands. The feature covers breathwork sessions, marine biology workshops and silent dining experiences. Takeaway: book the silent dining experience — 12 seats only, released 30 days ahead, and the $180 per person price includes a 5-course meal designed to be eaten with eyes closed.

p.110 · Moving Forward
Eleven trends defining travel in 2026, from solo female expedition cruising to carbon-insulated booking platforms. The 6-page report uses hotel opening data and booking pattern analysis. Close with: the fastest-growing segment is solo expedition cruising — bookings up 340 percent year-on-year with 12 operators now offering single-occupancy cabins without surcharge.

p.62 · The Right Stripes
Richard Mille RM 74-02 uses a new grade of carbon TPT with coloured resin stripes visible at the case surface. The technical breakdown explains how the stripe density correlates with structural rigidity. Takeaway: the coloured-stripe RM 74-02 will be produced for only one year — after that, the equipment used to create the striped TPT is being retired.

p.74 · Quiet Brilliance
Van Cleef & Arpels Classic High Jewellery collection emphasises stone quality over carat weight. The article argues that a D-flawless 2-carat diamond set in a Classic piece holds value better than a 5-carat SI stone in a fashion piece. Close with: ask to see the stone's ASET scope image — Van Cleef uses only stones with light return above 95 percent.

p.76 · Striking a Balance
Cartier's En Equilibre collection uses asymmetrical settings where a larger stone appears to float without visible prongs on one side. The engineering behind the tension setting requires stones with zero internal flaws. Takeaway: inspect the floating side under 10x loupe — if you see a micro-prong, it is not true tension setting and will not carry the same resale premium.

p.78 · Ancient Alchemy
The art of enamelling in watchmaking and jewellery — cloisonne, champleve and guilloche techniques explained with brand examples from Vacheron Constantin to Piaget. Close with: a Grand Feu enamel dial requires 6-8 firings at 800 degrees Celsius; each firing carries a 30 percent breakage risk, which explains why enamel dial watches cost 3x more than lacquer equivalents.

p.114 · ISpy… Raffles London at the OWO
Raffles opens at the Old War Office building on Whitehall, a 1920s structure where Winston Churchill worked. The review covers the 120-room property's design references and dining options. Takeaway: book the Churchill Suite — it occupies his actual former office and includes a private entrance, the only room at the property with that feature.

p.122 · Distilled Craft
Chefs Michael Wilson, Nicolas Tam and Jia-Jun Law travel to Cognac with Maison Martell. The feature follows how each chef created a dish inspired by a specific Martell eau-de-vie. Close with: the chefs' pairing notes are compiled in a limited-edition booklet available only at Martell's Cognac visitor centre — request a copy when booking the Cellar Master tour.

p.20 · Smooth Like Butter
A profile of three Singapore-based artisanal butter producers who have shifted from hobby to commercial production. The feature covers fermentation times, butterfat percentages and pricing per 100g. Takeaway: cultured butter with 84 percent butterfat has the best pastry performance — any lower and laminated doughs lose structure during baking.

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Editor's Take

The Sabalenka cover delivers genuine access — she discusses prize-money psychology and post-match decompression rituals that no other interview has captured — making this the strongest athlete feature of the year. The weakest element is the "Smooth Like Butter" piece, which reads like a directory listing rather than journalism; three producers are profiled but none gets more than 250 words. The issue is ideal for collectors (the Van Cleef and enamel articles carry real pricing intel) and wellness travellers, though the Style section is underweight at only 5 articles across 3 subsections.

Strengths
• Sabalenka reveals specific prize-money psychology and recovery routines
• Enamelling feature quantifies firing breakage risk at 30 percent
• Travel trends cite 340 percent solo cruising growth with operator names

Weaknesses
• Artisanal butter profile lacks depth across 3 producers in 2 pages
• Style section underdelivers at 5 articles across 3 sub-sections

Verdict: Recommended — Strongest athlete journalism of 2026 so far, though lifestyle editorial feels padded.