TALKING TIME

DANIEL WONG Managing Director of Revamp Kitchen & Bar

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

A TIME TO DREAM

COMPLEX AND UNUSUAL DIALS FIRE THE IMAGINATION OF THIS HOROLOGY ENTHUSIAST.

DARK SIDE:

“In 2009, I was getting a haircut and browsing through a magazine when I saw the Bulgari Diagono Chronograph. I love black and its black dial and rubber bezel caught my eye. That’s when I first got into watches. I like unusual designs that look complicated and fit the way I dress. I’m always in a black tee and jeans; contemporary with a little rock.”

MAKING MEMORIES:

“I wear almost all my watches to go clubbing. Sometimes, people ask why they have scratches on them. Isn’t the whole point of owning watches to create memories by wearing them often? The only one I don’t wear when I party is the Patek Philippe Celestial 6102R (pictured). It just feels too delicate.”

FROM FRIENDS TO FAMILY:

“Through watch events, I’ve made many friends. A group of us gather regularly. We chat, drink, joke and laugh – and, sometimes, we talk about watches. They’re like family to me now and we do small things for each other. It can be something as simple as ‘I’m going to buy burgers now and I’ll bring you some.’”

GOING FOR GOLD:

“Before I got the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar (pictured), I never thought I’d like gold. But two years ago, my dealer asked me to give it a try and I thought it looked great, especially with its blue dial and calendar displays. I remember how my younger daughter, an infant then, kept trying to grab it while I was carrying her because the yellow gold was so vibrant.”

MAN ON THE MOON:

“I like calendar watches and the moon phase. Sometimes, when I feel sian (Hokkien for bored), looking at the moon on my watch calms me. It reminds me of the main character in The Little Prince novella and how as kids we could dream and not be afraid of anything. The Patek Philippe Celestial is like a bigger version of the moon phase. The dial has a sky chart, which reminds me that we are just a small speck in the universe and should always look at the big picture.”

WATCHES THAT BEST REPRESENT MY COLLECTION 
My Reading Room
“Travel buddy.”
Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Ref. 5990/1A in stainless steel.
 
My Reading Room
“Eye-catching.”
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in yellow gold.
 
My Reading Room
“Out of this world.”

Patek Philippe Celestial 6102R in rose gold.

TEXT LYNETTE KOH PHOTOGRAPHY TAN WEI TE  ART DIRECTION FAZLIE HASHIM