Business leaders Dato' Simon Foong, Vivienne Cheng and Datuk Mohamad Azahari Kamil share with Malaysia Tatler how they select the right timepiece to suit their lifestyles.
Ever wondered what our country’s most successful corporate heads look for before they decide to purchase a watch? We definitely do.
With corporations to run and deals to make, we at Malaysia Tatler often wonder what motivates a business leader to seek out the most perfect timepiece to help them achieve their goals and deadlines.
Have a read at what Dato' Simon Foong, Vivienne Cheng and Datuk Mohamad Azahari Kamil have to say on this matter.
He has a soft spot for Bulova Accutron watches and is eyeing the Apple Watch
On fashion or function: “I would say a bit of both but I am leaning more towards fashion and sentimental reasons. The brand of the timepiece plays important role for me when making a choice. Their values must reflect what I believe in. My everyday watch as per my working environment needs has to be waterproof as I would like to do impromptu dives at the aquarium in Aquaria! By choosing the right brand, I have a watch that is practical and a fashion statement all in one.”
On must-have mechanism functions: “It’s important whether for work or for social functions that the timepiece that I wear suits the occasion. It should look good on my wrist and complement the attire. It should be accurate and stylish without being too ostentatious. For travelling, having dual time and a good calendar function are pluses!”
On his most sentimental timepiece: “My dad gave me a watch that he used to wear that was the most accurate at that time. It’s a Bulova Accutron, the first fully electronic watch which revolutionised timekeeping by using a 360 hertz tuning fork instead of a balance wheel as the time keeping element. This watch will be something that I will treasure as it was given to me when I graduated from the UK.”
On a watch he desires at the moment: “Presently, I have been taking a keen interest into wearable smart watches and the one to look out for would be of course the Apple watch. They have a gold edition that interests me but I will have to see if it’s practical enough to be worn daily.”
Her Rolex Oyster Perpetual is her most sentimental and she is lusting after a Van Cleef & Arpels timepiece next
On fashion or function: “Fashion! My purchases are driven by love at first sight - you can say that all my watches are happy accidents.”
On must-have mechanism functions: “Truth be told I have no real need for my watches’ function to be particularly sophisticated as I have a fantastic system on my smartphone to help me keep and manage my time. My watches need only be easy on my eye as I am so busy that being able to glance at a bit of beauty on my wrists helps me through the day.”
On her most sentimental timepiece: “My first ever Rolex Oyster Perpetual in stainless steel with gold hardware. Many beautiful timepieces have made their way into my jewellery box but this one is especially sentimental because it is the very first watch my husband gifted me.”
On a watch she desires at the moment: “The next watch on my lust list is a Van Cleef & Arpels.”
He is a big Patek Philippe fan and currently desires a Patek Philippe Regulator
On fashion or function: “I buy watches more for my self-fulfilment, stemmed from passion and appreciation of exquisite craftsmanship.”
On must-have mechanism function: “I look for precision, mechanisms movement and craftsmanship. I am partial to the function of dual time for travelling.”
On his most sentimental timepiece: “My Patek Philippe 5960P. This is the first platinum blue face annual calendar which has been discontinued for production.”
On a watch he desires at the moment: “I’d like a Patek Philippe Regulator.”
(Photos: Respective brands)
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