A TASTE FOR TRADITION

ONE MAN’S JOURNEY FROM BEING WATCH-INDIFFERENT TO BECOMING A FAN OF ONE OF WATCHMAKING’S MOST RESPECTED BRANDS.

One man’s journey from being watch-indifferent to becoming a fan of one of watchmaking’s most respected brands.

ONCE UPON A TIME

“I’m a relative newbie in the world of horology, and began collecting serious watches about four years ago. I used to tell my friends who were collectors that I would not spend more than $5,000 on a watch. Luckily, none of them have come back to haunt me about this.”

THE TIMEPIECES THAT ATTRACT ME

“My tastes are more traditional, with occasional streaks of sportiness. I have a Panerai GMT watch that I like to wear on weekends when I’m dressed down. I like watches with functions that appeal to me. The Lange 1815 Chronograph Boutique Edition ( below, left), for instance, can be called a doctor’s watch because it has a pulsometer. As an ophthalmologist, I rarely have to check people’s pulses – so I use it to check my own. I also use the chronograph to time events. Such as? How long it takes the wife to return from shopping!”

HOW MY TASTES HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME

“It’s like what happened with my other love, Porsche. I used to see it as an old man’s car because of the designs – the 911 is more than 50 years old, and there have been no striking changes to it over the years. I was into (flashier sportscar brands) when I was younger – it was like, ‘wah, this stuff is exciting’ – but I’ve come to appreciate things that are well-designed. It’s not about buying showy things that call attention to themselves, but appreciating subtle details and fine finishes.”

HOW I FIRST LEARNT ABOUT A. LANGE & SOHNE

“About eight years ago, as part of a Porsche Club Singapore contingent, I had the chance to visit the A. Lange & Sohne manufacture in Glashutte. That opened my eyes to the meticulous attention to detail that goes into each of its watches, even its most inexpensive timepiece. But it was only when my wife wanted to buy a watch for herself in Hong Kong about four years ago – she bought a Franck Muller – that I really started looking at watches for myself.”

WHY I LIKE LANGE’S RELATIVE ANONYMITY

“I bought the Lange 1 Time Zone ( below, right) because I wanted a dual-time watch. During a trip to Naples, I was wearing a GMT watch by another well-known watch brand. People I met on the streets would gesture at it – they were actually worried that I’d be mugged. I eventually took it off because I felt uncomfortable. The Lange 1 Time Zone is beautiful and special, but very few people recognise it. So I feel very safe with this one, although it is 10 times costlier than the other one.”